Omaha daily bee., 1899-11-12
PALAvER OF THE PUGllISTS

! PAlAVER Of The PUGillSTS
Review of championship Contest
siicr's Decision Undoubtedly Cor
rcct-Locnl Events of Interest.
Jim Jeffries continues to retain proud pos.
session of the championship OF the prize
| ring. That he earned the right to still hold
undisputed sway as the champion pugils
but few fairminded sportsmen will gain
say. Jeffries' bout with Tom Sharkey was
pivotal circumstance in latter-day pugil-
ism. 1t showed that the modern prize
fighter, especially he who gains the cham
pionship in his class and is prone to wan
der in forbidden paths and worship at the
shrine of music hall favorites, does not
necessarily have to surrender the distinc-
tion won in previous bouts in the first con-
test after the championship has been won.
Had Jeffries been defeated 1t would have
been disappointing to many true lovers OF
the sport, because 1t would have indicated
a lack Of stability on his part; 1t would have
given rise to the opinion that he won The
championship from Fitzsimmons by chance
and by mere luck and is as unable to de-
fend 1t.
American men and women admire manly
strength and vigor. This admiration is
responsible for the popularity OF the prize
ring. Speaking along this line, a devotee
of puglism who has been at the rlngside
for many, many years, and has witnessed
all the big fights, said the other day that
it was interesting to note the improvement
in the class Of patrons OF the prize ring in
these closing years Of the nineteenth cen
tury. 1t used to be, he said, that the prin-
cipal portion of the audience assembled to
l,k.
thugs and desperate characters generally.
Now all these conditions have changed. In
stead OF the lower strata of humanity the
latter day events of great interest are at
tended by the upper tendon of Americans.
Men with money, men of culture, refine
mont; men of letters, men learned in the
law and the sciences, surround the prize
rings and view these contests with quick
ened interest.
Some one will say that this state Of affairs
is reprehensible and indicates deterioration
of American manhood From the most
ancient times there have been men and
women who have looked with disfavor upon
sport in whatever form it presents itself
They prate about its demoralizing influ-
ences. At the same time there have been,
in numbers far exceeding those who make
up the opposition men and women who de-
light in legitimate sport because of its de-
velopment of manhood and because of the
pleasure 1t furnishes them to view the su-
premacy of science and cleverness. The
very reason that sporting events OF any
kind furnish amusement and for the time
being relieve the mind of the business or
professional man from the cares and per-
plexities of the workaday life is one of the
chief points in their favor.
With the improvement in the class OF
patronage the prize ring itself has i'm
proved. The contestants who enter it are
prepared by many weeks or months of train
ing to stand the rigors Of the sport. 1t is
this tenacity, this willingness to face hard
ship in the hope Of victory, characterizing
the prize ring, which has characterized the
very success and advancement Of the Amer
ican people.
The last big event at the Coney Island
Athletic club between Jeffries and Sharkey
was of marked Importance in the annals
of pugilism, and Referee George Siler estab-
lished precedent, which, if honorably fol-
lowed out, will popularize prizefghting to
a still greater degree. AS the exhibition
drew to a close the multitude which sur
rounded the ring and the thousands upon
thousands who, throughout the length and
breadth of the land, hung upon each bull
letined report with bated breath could easily
distinguish the fact that Jeffries held the
master hand. He came up in each of the
concluding rounds practically fresh and in
fine condition, while Sharkey, who was
lighting blindly, madly, spurred on to des-
peration in the overwhelming desire to wrest
from Jeffries the championship, was in bad
shape and able to stand and hold up under
the terrific punishment only by reason of his
courage and exceptional
The twenty-fifth round came.
There had been no knockout, but Jeffries
clearly had the better of the fight. He was
on the aggressive. He was smiling and had
come through the struggle almost unscathed.
His opponent in condition, was the direct
opposite. He had been severely punished.
He was blind, staggering, helpless but that
brute force carried him through to the end.
A second-hardly more-before the round
ended Jeffries landed a terrific blow with
his right. Sharkey grappled wildly at the
air and was falling. The gong sounded |
His assistants swarmed into the ring and
caught him, just as he was about to topple |
over. The gong saved him. Had it not
closed the round, Sharkey would undoubt-
edly have been counted out and the knock |
out would have been added to his cup of |
bitterness.
Here Is where Silers precedent came |
H. He gave the fight to Jeffries. In reality |
here was no knockout, the contest had been |
'emarkably close, and decision calling it
draw would have been an easy way out
II it for Siler, but he pronounced Jeffres
he winner. Why did he do it? Because
[effries had shown himself through the
ntire contest to be away in the lead in his
uperiority and his scientific ability. This
vas apparent to Siler and to the spectators
Who were able to Judge intelligently by
eason of practical knowledge. To others
he fight seemed reasonably close. After
he contest Jeffries left the ring with the
ridge of his nose and his forehead cut
rom the results of Sharkeys hitting abil-
ties. On the other hand, Sharkey quit the
ing with several ribs broken, his shoulder
his left ear split and three times
IS natural size, his left eye cut and closed,
is nose cut and swollen, and his face ter
IDLY battered, and, Furthermore, had to be
AIKEN away in a carriage.
A knockout was not necessary to establish
effries right to the decision. Siler's prece-
ent opens the way for deciding future con-