The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1898-11-23
SHARKEY WOULD HAVE
WON THE CONTEST
Corbett Slowly but Surely Fading
Before the onslaughts Of
.-I,a LSaiIor
le Sailor.

NEW YORK. Nov. 22.-McVey's inter-
ference in the Corbett- Sharkey fight to-
night was absolutely inexcusable and
the referee. believing that there was
LOB" in McVey's action, took it upon
himself to declare all bets off. Before
Kelly did so, however. many of those
who had bet on Corbett-and they were
legion-anDealed to the referee to take
such action, while Sharkeyites shouted
against suCN interference on Kelly's
part and protested that he 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 will
be refunded.
1t was an unfortunate and abrupt
ending to what promised to be a most
interesting fight. For weeks both Cor
bett and Sharkey had trained faithfully
and carefully for the contest, and whe7
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 the fight lasted showed 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 in the body rather low and Shar-
key protested. Sharkey's Quickness and
aggressiveness were astonishing from
the very beginning, and from the first
it was evident that he had Corbett safe
In the second round there were wild
yells from the admirers of the Irishman
when he foored Corbett with right
swing on the head, preceded by pow
erful blow on the body.
Sharkey's rushes were successful in
variably and Jim's leg work was tested
to its utmost in trying to evade the ag-
gressive sailor pugilist. That Sharkey
has improve wonderfully goes without
saying, and on the other hand that
Corbett is not the Corbett of New Or
leans is beyond question. At no time
had the Californian the upper hand of
his younger and more sturdy 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.
From the second to the eighth round
Sharkey held a decided advantage. In
the ninth round, which was so produc-
tive of disappointment and unlocked
for incidents, Corbett seemed to be
stronger than at any time during the
fight, but 1t was apparent that he was
slowly but surely fading under Shar-
keys onslaughts. 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 won handily.
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 unex-
planned motive and some persons said
that he jumped into the ring to pre-
vent Corbett going under When Nc
Vey first put his leg through the ropes
the referee evidently did not or would
not look in that direction, but contin-
ued to pay close attention to the fight
ers. who were mixing 1t up in the CEN
ter Of the ring. Inspector MCLAUGHLIN
caught hold Of McVey to pull him out
again but the latter was evidently
more than anxious that Kelly should
see him In this he was successful but
not until half the people in the house
had yeaed repeatedly to Kelly to dis
qualify Corbett
When the big Californian realized
what had occurred he Was furious with
passion and rushed ut McVey. Had he
caught the latter tnere IS no telling
what Corbett would have done in his
frenzy. but the police were on hand
and rushed between the men. thus
avoiding q scene which would have
added to the disers ceful exhibition.
lust what effect the untimely incident
will have on boxing in this vicinity in
the future cannot well be gagged. but
that It will injure pugilism in this city
is beyond question.
A close estimate nlaced the attend
Ance tonight at 5000, and 1t is now