The times., 1898-11-23

tween James j. Corbett and Ihomas
Sharkey, at the Lenox Athletic Club. to-
night, resulted in victory for the sailor
pueilist. after one minute and forty-eight
seconds of fighting, in the ninth round.
corbett was not knocked out, nor was
the bout stopped because of distress on
his part, but 1t was brought to a close
TOO abruptly by violation of the rules
by Corbett's noted second and trainer,
Jim McVey, who jumped into the ring be-
fore time was up, and thereby lost the
fight McVey has trained Corbett and
been behind him in every fight in which
the former champion has indulged in, and
the umpire's opinion was that McVey lost
his head or made the break Intentional
ly.
The referee was compelled to give the
decision to Sharkey, but he made most
popular ruling by declaring all bets of;
There were rumors throughout the crowd,
and they would not down, that McVey's
break was part of scheme to save Cor
bett. There were also statements by un-
known persons that the whole thing was
preconcerted and was known by both
sides, before the fight, but that is hardly
probable.
The solution that seems most feasible
with a majority was that there was a
fear in Corbetts corner that he might
be beaten summarily, and that by break
ing the rules in this way, Re could lose
the fight in a manner that would not
bring discredit upon his record.
There was no doubt but that in the nine
rounds that were fought. Sharkey was
stronger, more aggressive and more pow
erful in action than Corbett. The latter
boxed in the cleverest possible manner
and scored repeatedly on Sharkey's face
and body, but there was no steam in his
punches and those who had seen him
whip Sullivan six years ago, said that he
had gone back. All the punching that
Corbett could give Sharkey had no effect
on him.
Ii McVey lost his head it was certainly
a strange proceeding. He is an old hand
at seconding fighters. and knows. the
rules. The fact that only minute
and ferty-eight seconds had been con-
sumed in the ninth round shows that Nc
Yey's claim that the round was over
was absurd.
Corbett's action when McNey made this
break was undoubtedly theatrical. He
ragged and stormed in the ring as If he
was before a picture machine, and finally
rushed at his old trainer and tried ap-
parentIy to punch him in the face. Nc
Vey had previously been thrown out OF
the ring by Chief Devery. but when Cor
bett made this attack he had got bach
and had proceeded to indulge in a mix
up with the former champion. Corbett
and McVey called each other names
made a show of fighting and the latter
was thrown out bodily again by the c..iei
of police.
There was some question by persons
who had wagered money on Sharkey tha
the referee had no power to declare al
bets off. There is nothing in the rule:
covering this, but the fact that he did de
clare bets off convinced a large numbei
that the fight, as far as the referee him
self was concerned, was on the level.
Kelly said after the fight that McVe!
jumped into the ring Intentionally. Il
fact, he went SO far as TO state that i
was his belief that McVey had been stiff
ened by some outside influence.
Fighting for Percentage.
During the wait for the fun to begin 4
was found out that both Corbett ant
Sharkey had representatives on the doors
This was convincing proof that they wer,
fighting for percentage, or a $4,000 guar
antee, of which SIS. 600 was 10 go to Tho
winner and s., 600 10 the loser
rtp Guh+
three in number. They were located at ;
corner. the three being close together
Joseph Dunn was the official keeper ant
bellringer OF the club John Considin
held the watch for Corbett and Mix
Bradley was timekeeper for Sharkey.
The ring was not postless one. as tn
ropes, three in number, were struni
through eight stakes, as usual. The floor
ing was the same as that which has pre-
vailed in all previous fights and the sam
lights were suspended over the canva
as before.
BY half-past eight there were fully 500
people in the building. The management
claimed a seating capacity OF 1900, and
barring few empty chairs in the boxes
there was not a vacant seat.
Prominent Men Present.
Around the ring were some of the mos
prominent men in America in all walk
of life. Among the familiar faces wer
Pat Powers, of Syracuse; McGraw, o
Baltimore; Billy Murray, manager of tn
Providence Club; Frank Dwyer the Gin
cinnati pitcher; Frank Erne. Jim Ken
nedy, Tim Hurst, Joe Cans, Joe Walcott
Peter Maher, Dave Sullivan, 'Mysteriou
Billy" Smith. Jockeys Taral Sloan an
Maher; Kid Mcfarland, Oscar Gard
ner. Jack McAuliffe, Billy Brady, Dal
Hawkins, Ed. Kearney, Senator Murphy
August Belmont. and host of local the
atrical men and politicians, headed b.
John F. Carroll, Mr.. Croker's right-han
man
Change in the Betting.
Just before the first preliminary wa
put on. J. H. Foley, of watervliet. n. Y
created a small sensation by wavering slt
10 $50 that Sharkey would win. This wa
the first sign of a changing tide in tn
betting, and when II became noised abou
those who were offering odds on Corbet
stopped.
There was lot OF Sharkey money o
hand then, and significant feature wa
that those who are TERMED the KNOWN
ones were looking for a chance TO bac
the sailor. There were more rumors
Corbett's condition, which would nc
down.
The first preliminary was put on a
$40 o'clock This was ten rounds at /:
pounds between Charley Schultz and Jac
Sullivan. both of this city. They wer
GA 9To7IA.