The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-11-23
BasinG His Decision the Relief
There Was sob, in the Action
of One of COrbett's Seconds.
M'VEY JUMPS INTO THE RING
THUS VIOLATING THE RULES AND
DIsQUALIFYING HIS MAN.
Sharkey a Better Fighter than the
ex-ChampiOn-Kid Mccoy Under
the Ban-Incidents.

NEW YORK. Nov. 22.--The fight between
James J. Corbett of California, the ex-
champion heavyweight boxer of the world,
and Tom Sharkey, of Dundalk, Ireland, who
first showed his prowess as a fighter while
serving the United States as a blue jacket
in the navy, which was witnessed by the
largest and most representative gathering
Of sporting men that ever congregated TO
see q ring contest. ended in a most dis
graceful fiasco tonight at the Lenox Athlet-
&c Club. Corbett had all the worst of the
encounter, when one of his seconds, Con
ME" McVey, jumped into the ring, appeal
ing to the referee. thus violating the rules
and the referee, Honest john Kelly, had
NO alternative but to disqualify Corbett and
award the bout TO Sharkey. McVeys inter-
ference was absolutely inexcusable, and the
referee, believing that there was a Job
in McVey's action, took it on himself 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 the
Sharkeyites shouted against such interfer-
enee on Kelly's part and protested that he
had no authority to declare the bets off
majority Of the spectators and consequently
all money paid wagers made will be re-
funSed.
1t 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 conditi au.
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. Corbett hit the sailor
on the body rather low and Sharkey pro-
tested. Sharkey's quickness and aggressive
ness was astonishing from the very begin
ming, 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
right swing on the head. preceded with
powerful blow on the body. Sharkey's
Tushes were successful invariably. and
Jim's ouickness and leg work were tested
TO their utmost in trying to evade the ag-
gressve sailor pugilist. That Sharkey has
improved wonderfully goes without saying,
and, on the other hand, that Corbett is not
the Corbett 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 fighter and clever one
st that, and his work tonight stamps him
beyond all doubt as being second only to
Eitzsimmons
From the second to the eighth rounds
haId
ninth round which was so productive of
disappointments and unlocked 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
Sharkeys onslaughts. 1t was two to one ON
Sharkey after the second round. and
there is little doubt that Sharkey would
have won handily. Some of the most promi-
nent bankers, brokers, lawyers 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 McVey The general belief is that Nc
Ney acted from some unexplained 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 the fighters, who
were mixing it up in the center of the ring.
Inspector Mclaughlin caught hold of Nc
Vey to pull him out again, but the latter
was evidently more than anxious that Kelly
should see him. In this he was successful,
but moi until after half the people in the
house had yelled repeatedly to Kelly to dis
qualify 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 a scene which would have added TO
the disgraceful exhibition. Just what effect
the untimely incident will have on the box
ing game in this vicinity in future cannot
now well be gagged, but that it will injure
pugilism in this city is beyond question
A close estimate placed the attendance to-
night at 5000 and it was learned that the
receipts exceeded $4,000