Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1898-11-23
SHARKEY GOT THE DECISION
Through Connie" McVey's Inexcus-
ably Bad Break.

HE JUMPED THROUGH THE ROPES,
OSTENSIBLY TO PR E I
AGAINST SOME UNFAIR WORK
BY THE SAILOR-BELIBVED TO
HAVE ! BEEN PRE-ARRANGED.
POMPADOUR JIM WOULD HAVE
LOST THE DECISION IF THE BAT
TIE CONTINUED = BETS DE-
CLARED OFF = kid" MCCOY
INJECTED FROM THE CLUB
HoUsE-THE FIGHT BY ROUNDS,
AND RINGSIDE INCIDENTS.
New York, November 22.-The Shar-
key-Corbett fight, which was witnessed
by the largest and most representative
gathering of sporting men that ever
congregated to see a ring contest, end
ed in most disgraceful fiasco tonight
at the Lenox Athletic Club. Corbett
had all the worst of the encounter
when one of his seconds, Connie" Nc
Vey, 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.
lLcVey's interference was absolutely
inexcusable and the referee believing
that there was a lob in McVeys ac-
ton, took it upon himself to declare all
bets off, Before Kelley did so, how
ever, many of those who bet on Cor
bett, and they were legion, appealed to
+aIx xIrhiln
Sharkeyites shouted against such in
reference on Kelley's part and pro-
tested that he had no authority TO de-
clare the bets off. However, the ref
eree's word ant with the majority of
the spectators, and consequently all
money paid on wagers made was re-
funded.
1t was an unfortunate and abrupt
ending to what promised to be a most
interesting fight. For weeks both
Corbett and Sharkey had trained faith
fully and carefully for the contest,
and when they stripped tonight each
of the them showed in excellent con-
dition. Sharkey was very confident Of
success and the manner in which he
acquitted himself 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 rather
low and Sharkey protested. Sharkey's
quickness and aggressiveness was as
tonishfng from the very beginning and
from the first it was evident that he
held Corbett safely. In the second
round there were wild yells from the
admirers of the Irishman when he
floored Corbett with a right swing on
the head, preceded with a powerful
blow on the body. Sharkeys rushes
were successful invariably and Jim's
quickness and leg work were tested
to their utmost in trying to evade the
aggressive sailor or pugilist.
That Sharkey has improved wonder
fully 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 Cali
fornian the upperhand OF his younger
and more sturdy rival Sharkey is a
fighter and a clever fighter at that, and
his work tonight stamps him beyond
all doubt as being second only to Fitz-
simmons.
From the second to the eighth rounds
Sharkey had decided advantage. In
the ninth round. which was so pro-
ductive of disappointments and I'M
looked for incidents, Corbett seemed to
be stronger than at any time during
the fight, but it was evident that he
was slowly but surely fading under
Sharkey onslaughts. It was two TO
one or Sharkev after the second round
and had not McVey acted as he did
there is very little doubt that Sharkey
would have won handily. Some of the
most prominent bankers. brokers. law
yers, doctors and business men in this
and other cities were present during the
mill. and not one of them could see
any reason for interference by NcVey.
The general belief is that McVey
eeted from some unexplained motive,
and some persons say that he jumped
into the ring to prevent COrbett going
under When McVey first put his leg
through the ropes the referee evidently
did not or would not look in that direc-
ton, but continued TO pay close atten-
ton to the fighters, who were mixing
it up in the center Of the ring In
spector Mclaughlin caught hold of Nc
Vey to pull him out again. but the lat
ter was evidently more than anxious
that Kelley should see him In this
he was successful but not until after
the half of the people in the house
had yelled repeatedly TO Kelley TO dis
Quality C0~bett
When the Californian realized what
had occurred he was furious with pas
sion and rushed at McVey Had he
caught the latter there is no telling
what Corbett would have done in his
frenzy. but the police we're on hand
and rushed between the men thus
:. avoiding a scene which would have
edded to the disgraceful exhibition
nst what effect the untimely incident
II have on the boxing game in this
emily in the future cannot now well
lsauged. but that it will iniure rugi-
IN in this city is beyond question
"A cIoco estimate n1acad the affa0I