The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-11-22

but Sharl1ey Has Big Follow
ing, Some of Whom Are Offering
EVens on the ResuIt-WrangIe
at the Ringside Is Expected
Interpretation of the Articles.
Tonight, in New York, in the rooms
of the Lenox Athletic club, will be de-
cided perhaps the greatest contest with
the gloves that has occurred since Bob
Iftzsimmons and Jim Corbett met at
Carson City. Great interest in the
event is the rule everywhere, in the
Twin Cities as well as in the other
great centers of population. All the
world loves a lover, and none the less
ali the world admireS a fighter and the
aews Of the battle between Corbett and
Sharkey will be read with almost as
Keen relish as was the story of the de-
feat Of MOntojo by Dewey and the
overthrow Of Cervera by Schley. Cor
bett rules faVorite in the betting. as
he has from the outset but that does
rot signify that he will win. Thou
sands Of dollars have been Wagered on
the outcome of the match, and not
little is at eVens. Upon the interpre-
tdtion Of the articles of agreement de-
ponds ShaTkey's chances. If he is COM
PEELED to stand off, and spar" he
erer opponent. If, however, there is a
more liberal Interpretation Of the rules
that are to govern the match, then
the sailor is in it.
WRANGLE IS PROMISED.
That there will be a wrangle at the
ringside as to meaning of the wording
Of the articles is openly announced by
Tom O'Rourke, who IS Sharkey's diplo-
tot n
that Corbett was conceded the referea.
Honest John" Kelly, and that the ex-
champion has been given every adj
vantage in the articles, but he does
OF propose that there shall be a mis-
Understanding on any point and shall,
therefore, insist that before the battle
b gins the men get together and have
clear understanding as to what will
constitute a foul, and the meaning of
clean breakaWay." Save this lit
tie adjustment Of differences at the
rlngside, everything is in readiness for
the affair. The money is in sight The
purse has been paid by ticket Durchas
ers and with it several thousands Of
dollars for the promoters, and there
seems nothing in the way of rafting
battle between perhaps the greatest
fighter since the palmy days Of Sulli-
van and the greatest boxer Of modern
times
EXPERT OPINIONS.
Champion Fitzsimmons says the af-
fair will be a fake. His sentiments are
repeated by Martin Julian Scratch
those-prejudice. George Siler will
not name a winner, but thinks 1t should
be a great fight. Ed Smith, the we'll
known Chicago sporting writer, says
Sharkey will wear Corbett down and
thus defeat him. Tom Hanton, well
Versed in pugilistic matters, says Shar-
key is too strong for COrbett. On the
other hand Harry Gilmore. the veteran
lightweight boxer, says that Corbett's
cleverneSs viii prove too great for the
sailor to overcome. Malachy Hogan,
who has refereed many battles, SAYS 1t
is hard fight to fathom; that if Cor
bett can stay the route he should out
point Sharkey. Jimmy Barry, the
bantam. thinks there is a surprise in
store for ring followers. He expects a
great battle. George Kerwin, the Chi
cago "Sharkey," picks the sailor to
win. John l.. Sullivan has named
Sharkey as his faVorite George Dixon
says Sharkey has improved wonder
fully and should win. The preponder-
ance Of expert predictions is in Shar-
keys favor In the Twin Cities Cor
bett has the larger following Henry
Lewis. who has seen some of the best
ring battles, is of the opinion that Cor
winner. but adds that Sharkey's Prov
esS is not to be despised. Ed Murphy
is an unprejudiced onlooker, who does
not profess to be an expert, but he is
an admirer Of Corbett's wonderful
skill. In the billiard parlors and hotel
corridors Corbett and Sharkey find
friends and champions. but Corbetts
following is in the majority.
BILLY MADDEN PUZZLED.
The prophet of the ring, Billy Mad
den. admits he is at sea as to the out
come of the big fight. Madden has pick
ed more winners of ring battles than
any man who follows the game. He
named Fitzsimmons to beat Dempsey.
CoTbett to defeat Sullivan and FitZ-
simmons to triumph over Corbett.
Now Madden says that he dare not
risk his reputation as a prophet Mad
den says that ii seems to be an even
chance. That there is apparently moth
ing the matter with Corbett. and that
Sharkey is in perfect shape. He adds
that II the men agree to keep fighting
with no roughing in the clinches. the
battle viii prove the greatest of mod
err Battle-Ground contests. That is the
opinion of a majority of those who are
entitled to express their views and
have them carry weight. But there is
the rub. Can Sharley keep in check
his natural tendency to fight on the
hurricane order regardless of the rule
that no blows shall he delivered while
in Clinch. or in the act Of breaking
away? If Sharkey loses it will likely
be on a foul If he does not stop Cor
bett, then the chances are favorable
for a draw. Corbett has the advan-
tage in the articles and in having
referee who is a personal friend and
admirer No matter how fair the
referee may try to be, such factors are
dangerous.
CORBETT SHOULD WIN.
Under the articles Of agreement, as
made public. Corbett should win-al-
ways barring accident In prize fight
proper Corbett would have scarcely a
chance with the sailor. Under Queens