Sistersville oil review. [volume] (Sistersville, W. Va.) 1896-1901, 1898-11-30
The Joint Glove Debate With
James corbett
T THE NINTH EPOCH
OF Discussion Owing to Mr..
McVey's Enthusiasm.

messed Dy the largest ana most rep
resentative gathering of sporting
men that ever congregated to see
ring contest, ended in most dis
graceful fasco tonight at the Lenox
Athletic club. Corbett had all the
worst of the encounter when one
of the seconds, Connie" McVey,
Jumped into the ring, appealing to
the referee, thus violating the rules
and the referee, Honest John"
Kelley, had no alternative but to
disqualify Corbett and award the
bout to Sharkey.
McVey's interference was abso-
lutely inexcusable. and the referee
believing that there was "job" in
McVey's action, took upon HIM
self to declare all bets off. Before
Kelly did so, however, many of
those who had bet on Corbett, and
they were legion, appealed to the
referee to take such action, while
Sharkeyites shouted against such
interference on Kelly's part and
protested that he had no authority
to declare the bets off. However,
the referees word went with that
majority of the spectators and con-
sequently all money paid on wagers
made was refunded.
It was an unfortunate and abrupt
ending to what promised to be a
most interesting fight. For weeks
both Corbett and Sharkey had
trained faithfully and carefully for
the contest and when they stripped
tonight each of them showed in
excellent condition. Sharkey was
very confident of success and the
manner in which he acquitted HIM
self in the ring while the fight
lasted, showed very plainly that his
confidence was founded on good
grounds.
Those who believed that Sharkey
could not fight fairly, changed their
opinion after the bout had gone
one round. On the other hand. Cor
bett hit the sailor in the body rath-
er low and Sharkey protested. Shar-
keys quickness and aggressiveness
was astonishing from the begin
ming, and from the first it was evil
dent that he held Corbett safely.
In the second round there were
wild yells from the admirers of the
Irishman when he foored Corbett
with a right swing of the head,
preceded with powerful blow on
the body. Sharkey's rushes were
successful invariably, and Jim's
quickness and leg work were tested
to their utmost in trying to evade
the aggressive sailor pugilist.
That Sharkey has improved won
derfully, goes without saying, and
on the other hand that Corbett is
not the Corbett of New Orleans is
beyond question. At no time had
the Californian the upper hand of
his younger and more sturdy rival.
Sharkey is fighter, and clever
fighter at that, and his work to-
night stamps him beyond all doubt
as being second only 20 Fitzsim-
mons.
The general belief is that Nc
Vey acted from some unexplained
motive and some persons say that
he jumped into the ring to prevent
Corbett going under. When Nc
Vey first put his leg through the
ropes the referee evidently did not
or would not look in that direction,
but continued to pay close atten-
ton to the fighters, who were mix
ing it up in the center of the ring.
Mclaughlin caught hold OF McVey
to pull him out again, but the lat
ter was evidently more than
anxious that Kelly should see him.
In this he was successful, but not
until after the half OF the people in
the house had yelled repeatedly to
Kelly to disqualify Corbett.
When the big Californian
realized what bad occurred, he was
furious with passion and rushed at
McVey. Had he caught the latter
there is no telling what Corbett
would have done in his frenzy, but
the police were on hand and rushed
between the men. thus avoiding a
scene which would have added to-
the disgraceful exhibition.
A close estimate placed the att
tendance tonight at 5000 and it
was learned that the receipts ex-