The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-11-23

I New York, Nov 22-The Sharkey-
! Corbett fight, which was witnessed by
the largest and most representative
gathering of sportsmen that ever con-
gregated to see a ring contest ended in
a most disgraceful fasco tonight at
the Lenox Athletic club. Corbett had
all the worst of the encounter, when
one of his seconds, Connie McVey,
jumped into the ring, appealing to the
referee, thus violating the rules, and
the referee, Honest" John Kelly, had
no alternative but to disqualify Cor
bett and award the bout to Sharkey.
McVeys interference was absolutely
ineXcusable, and the referee, believing
that there was job in McVey's ac-
ton, took it upon himself to declare
all bets off. Before Kelly did so, how
ever, many of those who had bet on
Corbett. and there were legiCns, ap-
pealed to the referee to take such ac-
ton, while the Sharkeyites shouted
against such interference on Kely's
part and protested that ne had no au-
thority to declare the bets off. How
ever, the referees word went with the
majority of the spectators, and conse-
quently all money paid on wagers made
will be refunded.
1t was an unfortunate and abrupt
ending to what promised to be most
interesting fight. For weeks both Cor
bett and Sharkey had trained faith
fully for the contest, and when they
stripped they both showed to be in good
condition. Sharkey was very confident
Of success, and the manner in which
he acquitted himself in the ring while
it 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
bet hit the sailor in the body rather
low, and Sharkey protested.
Sharkey's quickness and aggression
were astonishing from the very begin
ming, and from the first it was evident
that he had Corbett safe. In the sec
ond round there were wild yells from
the admirers of the Irishman when he
foored Corbett with right swing on
the head, preceded with a powerful
blow on the body. Sharkey's rushes
were successful invariably, and Jim's
leg work was tested to it's utmost in
trying to evade the aggressive sailor
pugilist
That Sharkey has improved wonder
fully goes without saying, and on the
other hand, that Corbett is not the Cor
bett of New Orleans is beyond ques-
ton. At no time had the Californian
the upper hand of his younger and
more sturdy rival. Sharkey is a fighter,
and a clever one at that, and his work
tonight stamps him beyond all doubt
( as being second only to FitzsimmOns.
SHARKEY'S FIGHT.
From the second to the eighth round
| Sharkey held a decided advantage. In
the ninth round, which was so pro-
ductive Of disappointments and IN
/ Iooked-for incidents, Corbett seemed to
be stronger than at any time during
the fight, but it was apparent that he
was slowly but surely fading under
| Sharkey's OnSlaughtS.
| 1t was TO 1 on Sharkey after the
second round, and had not McVey act
! ed as he did, there is very little doubt
! that Sharkey would have won hand1ly.
! Some OF the most prominent bankers,
! brokers, lawyers, doctors and business
men in this and other cities were pres
ent during the mill, and not one. OF
them could see any reason for interior
| ing by McVey. The general belief is
! shat McVey acted from some unez-
/ planned motive, and some persons said
! 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 direction.
| but continued to pay close attention TO
I the fighters, who were mixing 1t up IN
! the center of the ring. Inspector Nc
Laughlin caught hold of McVey to pull
! him out again, but the latter was evil
] IDENTIFY more than anxious that Kelly
should see him In this he was sue
cessful, but not until half the people in
the house had yelled repeatedly to
Kelly to disqualify Corbett.
When the big Californian realized
what had 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 2 scene which would have
added to the disgraceful exhibition
Just what effect the untimely incident
will have on boxing in this vicinity in
the future cannot well be gagged, hut
that it will injure pugiiism in this city
is beyond question.
A close estimate placed the attend
ance tonight at 5000. and It IS now
/ learned that the receipts exceeded 49,.
0OO