The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-11-22
To-NIGHT'S BIG FIGHT
CORBETT AND sHARKEY BOTH CON-
FIDENT OF WINNING.
"VVads" of Greenbaclks Placed ON the
Former at 500 to SsO-A Few
Bets at Even Money.

NEW YORK, Nov. A.-The sporting re-
sorts along upper Broadway and through
out the Tenderloin district were crowded to-
night with crowds of pugilists and followers
of pugilism, who have come to the city to
witness the Corbett-Sharkey fight, which is
to take place tomorrow night at the Lenox
Athletic Club. Hundreds of out-of-town
sporting men are located at the principal
hostelries between Twenty-third and Forty
second streets, and in the corridors and
cafes of all the hotels groups of men stood
around discussing the probable outcome of
the contest and comparing the relative mer-
it's of the combatants
Each of the principals had plenty Of
friends. and wagers were made frequently
as to the result of the contest. Corbett had
the larger following and his admirers were
not slow TO place odds on his chances the
moment any Sharkey money was flashed
Wads of greenbacks were handled in reck-
less fashion by the bettors, and one would
think that the wealth of the KIondike had
been brought to New York for the occasion
to look at the rolls that were placed in the
hands Of Stockholders awaiting the decision
OF the fistic battle. One hundred to eighty
on Corbett was the prevailing odds and
quite large sum of money was placed at
that price. Two bets of $500 at evens were
made by sanguine Sharkeyites. George
Considine and his brother John, from De-
troit. took the Corbett end Of both wagers.
They looked around for more at this rate,
but none was forthcoming and then they Of
fered 100 to 80, getting several smaller bets
at this price.
The Considines are strong believers in
Corbett's ability to beat the sailor pugilist
and their cafe on Sixth avenue presented an
animated scene about midnight Among
those who Joined the throng We're Honest
John Kelly, who is to referee the fight; Dan
Corbett battle at Carson City last year, and
a host of other Wel-knOWn men connected
directly or indirectly with fistiana. There,
as everywhere else they went, Corbetts
friends were in the majority, but there were
always enough Sharkey followers on hand
to hold the sailor end up by word of mouth
and money to back 1t.
"Sharkey is fit to fight for his life said
his manager, land those who think he is
not clever will be more than surprised when
they see him in the ring. His work in
training was done cheerfully and the re-
suit is that his condition tonight is all that
could be desired. He finished up to-day with
light work and will rest until the appointed
hour tomorrow night. can add to what
[ have already said over and over again
that Sharkey will win, and in most de-
cisive manner too"
Corbett's friends were just as confident
Jill was never IN DeIIer shape III MS lie,
said Considine tonight. land my friends
and myself will back him for every dollar
we can. Our money is safe, in fact, l look
upon 1t as cinched."
Charlie White, who trained Corbett for the
Carson City fight, has had charge of the
ex-champion'S training since Corbett took up
his quarters at the LenOX clubhouse. White
was very pronounced in his statements as
to Corbetts condition tonight and claimed
that the big fellow would win within fifteen
rounds. Speaking of Corbetts condition,
White said: "Jim is better man tonight
than he was when he entered the ring at
Carson City. He has learned to fight slow
er and will consequently have more steam
behind his blows. He has lost none of his
speed otherwise and his foot work is very
nearly perfect. / think the fight should not
go more than fifteen rounds and Jim will
be the winner"
Corbett finished his preparatory work this
afternoon with couple of rounds of box
ing at the clubhouse and will rest at his
home until tomorrow night.
Many shreWd judges claim that the fifth
condition in the articles of agreement, which
precludes hitting with one arm free and
compels the men to break clean from
cIinches without hitting, will be very mucn
in Corbett's favor. Some of them look for
Sharkey to forget himself and lose on a
foul by not observing the essential points,
but Sharkey's people say that Tom will not
lose his head at any stage of the game
Chief of Police Devery stated to-day that
the Horton law governing boxing contests
would have to be rigidly adhered to or the
police would interfere.
The statistics of the two men, with their
records, are as follows:
James J. Corbett, born at San Francisco Sept
!, 1866 Height, feet inch: