Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-11-23
SHARKEY Wins
From Corbett on a Foul
in the Ninth Round.
Corbett's Second, Mcvey, Jumps Into
Ring, Apparently Intentionally.
Referee Gives Fight to sharksy and Declare,
All Bets on.

w" 1ofk, NOV. A1.-Ine Cor
ett-Sharkey fight which was wilt
messed by the largest and most rep
resentative gathering of sporting men
that ever congregated to see a ring
contest, ended in a most disgraceful
fiaseo, 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
Kelley, had no alternative but to dis
qualify Corbett and award the bout to
Sharkey.
McVey's interference was absolutely
inexcusable and the referee, believing
that there was a Job in McVey's ac-
ton, took upon himself to declare all
bets off. Before Kelley did so, how
ever, many of those who had bet on
Corbett, and they We're legion, appeal
ed to the referee to axe such action,
While the Sharkeyites howled against
such interference on Kelleys part and
protested that he had no authority to
declare he bets off. However, the re-
feree's word went with the majority Of
the spectators and consequently all
money paid on wagers made will be re-
funded.
1t was most unfortunate and abrupt
ending to what promised to be most
interesting fight For weeks both Cor
bett and Sharkey had trained faithful
ly and carefully for the contest and
when they stripped, tonight, each of
them showed in excellent condition.
Sharkey was very confident of success
and the manner in which he acquitted
himself in the ring while the fight last
ed showed very plainly that his conf
dence 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 in the body rather low and
Sharkey protested. Sharkey's quick
ness and aggressiveneSs We're aston
ishing from the very beginning and
from the first it was evident that he
held Corbett safely.
In the second round there We're wild
yells from the admirers of the Irish
man when he floored Corbett. with a
right swing on the head, which was
preceded by a powerful blow on the
body. Sharkey's rushes were success
full invariably and Jims quickness and
leg work were tested to their utmost
in trying to evade the aggressive Sail
or 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 hadFthe. Californian
the upper hand of his younger and
more study rival. Sharkey is a fighter
and clever one at that, and his work,
tonight, stamps him beyond all doubt
as being second only to FitZsimmons,
who will have to meet him in order
to decide which is the better man, and
when these two meet they should put
up a fight which will be worth wit
Messing.
From the second to the eight round
Sharkey had a decided advantage. In
the ninth round, which was so produc-
tive 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 fading under Sharkey's on
slaught. 1t was two to one on Sharkey
after the second round and had not
McVey acted as he did there is very
little doubt that Sharkey would have
handily won.
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 inter
ference by McVey. The general belief
is that McVey acted from some I'M
explained motive and some persons
said that he jumped into the ring to
prevent Corbett going under.
When McVey first put his leg
the ropes the referee evidently
did not or would not hook 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. Inspector
caught hold of McVey to
pull him out again but the latter was
evidently more than anxious that KEEL
ley should see him. In this he was
more than successful, but not until
half the people 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 We're on hand and
rushed between the men thus avoiding
a scene which would have added to the
exhibition. That the UNI
timely incident will injure pugilism in
this city is beyond question.
A close estimate placed the attend
ance at 5000 and it was learned that the
receipts exceeded $4,000
Joe Kelley, the referee, made the fol-
lowing statement:
Il stopped the bout and gave the de-
cision to Sharkey because McVey, one
of Corbett's seconds, in violation of all
rules, jumped into the ring.
Il called all bets off. because / be-
lieve the action of McVey was paid for
by somebody who had bet on Shar-
key, and / did not propose to decide
public money on palpable fake. l
would not be party to such a fraud
mo one can tell me McVey lost his
head. He has been behind fighters for
years and there are some fraudulent
deal behind his movements. So far as
can ysee, the fighters were on about