The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-11-06
AS GEO. SILER saw IT
REFEREE OF THE JEFFRIES-
SHARkEY FIGHT TALKS OF
THE DECISION
HE UPHoLDs HIS JUDGMENT

Was Upheld by the Crowd and Is
Sntisfed-Says SharKey Was Foul
at All Times-Htt Low and Hit in
CIinchcs While Holding - Cut
JefTrics' Nose With "a Butt and Not
with a Punch.
NEW YORK, Nov 5.-George Siler, the
referee, makes this statement concerning
his decision in the Jeffries- Sharkey fight:
Il gave Jeffries the fight on points. He
did the clean Furnishing, his blows landed
fair and square, while Sharkey's swings
to the head were delivered with the
forearm, the glove often failing to coun-
ter at all.
'Jeffries certainly had the better Of
the first six rounds, and from then on
till the tenth it was fairly even.
''Sharkey had a Slight advantage in the
next seven rounds, but Jeffries con-
tinued to improve, and the last fiva
rounds We're all his.
''Sharkey was foul at all times. He
hit low at different times and hit in
Clinches while holding.
He twisted Jeffries' neck several
times, and cut Jeffries' nose with a butt.
not with a punch.
His head was constantly thrown into
Jeffries' body, and he roughed it almost
throughout.
All of this I took into consideration in
making the decision, for clean and fair
tactics are what count.
''Sharkey was knocked down clean, and
was groggy at several stages.
I gave what 1 think was an honest de-
Cision, and was upheld by the crowd, and
I feel satisfied with my work.
AS to Siler's decision, the opinions of
several experts are given below:
John L. Sullivan-The decision was
right the best man won.
Jim COrbett-It was close decision and
many thought 1t should have been a draw.
Tom . ROurke (Sharkey'S manager)-
Je1ries made good showing only at the
finish.
Tommy Ryan-Jeffries outpointed his
man.
Mike Donovan-It was close decision.
Kid McCOy-Sharkey should have re-
George Dixon-sharkey should have
Won.
Al Smith (Jeffries' timekeeper)-Jef out
Sammy KelIy-Jeff outpointed the sailor.
Sam Austin-The decision was fair
Martin Dowling-Jeff beat Sharkey be-
Jimmy Carroll-Jeffries won the battle
at the end.
Honest John" Kelly-The decision was
fair in my Judgment
Jim Kennedy-The decision was a fair
one
VIII Curley-It was a pretty even thing.
Siler sent the following to the Chicago
paper which he represented
Yesterday 1 was a gentleman and
an honest man, today 1 am a loafer and
q thief.
THAT is, according to the sayings of
Tom Sharkey, O'ROurke and other adj
mirers of Sharkey Fortunately I am
considered a fair and honest man by
everybody in the Jeffries camp, and also
by those who backed the boilermaker,
and, to make it stronger, by a great
many who had bets on the sailor. That
gives me a shade the better of the argu-
ment-and, perhaps, the decision.
"Sharkey came out with the statement
today that I was a robber and that he
always knew I was wrong that he
objected to me as referee knowing that
I would rob him, etc.
IT presume I'm e fool to mix up in an
argument regarding honesty and
straightforward dealing with man like
Sharkey. I've been mixed up in the
boxing game for thirty years. beginning
before Sharkey was born, and in all
those Years have followed the narrow
path.
"Sharkey has bee known in The fighting
world only for a short tine, but during
that time has been a much-talked-of man
with reference to fights he has INDUCED
In. Every body in the sporting game re-
members his fight with Fitzsimmons in
San Francisco, in which the latter was
jObbed and robbed by the referee
Il am not, understand, attempting to
square myself or anything I ever did at
the expense of Sharkey or anybody else,
SO we'll pass his record UP.
'Sharkey says I robbed him. he is en-
titled to his opinion. I declared Jeffries
the winner. and if he did not win he
would not have gained the decision, so
there you are a victory meant a great
deal to Sharkey. He fought hard to get
it and in my honest opinion failed
Two New York papers thought he
should have gained the decision, while the
others were equally divided regarding a
draw and a verdict in favor Of Jeffries
One of the two publications said I was
no doubt honest, but that 7 got ratified
The writer did not state that he Is an
enemy of Jeffries and everybody con-
nected with him. and that ever since the
match was made has been roasting JEFF
fries He also fOrgets that only a few
weeks ago he stated through the columns
Of his paper that l was the coolest and
ring. 1 presume 1 touched his pocket
book.
The other publication states that Shar-
key hit Jetfries three to one Oftener than
Jeffries hit Tom. Now, the latter is
strong man and is noted for his terrific
hitting powers, still, with all that, JEFF
fries left the ring with the bridge of his
nose and his forehead cut from the re-
suits of Sharkeys hitting abilities On
the other hand SharlIey quit the ring
with several ribs broken his shoulder
dislOcated, his left ear split and three
times its natural size, his left eye cut
and closed. his nose cut and swollen,
and his face terribly battered, and, fur
thermoTe, had to be taken away in
carriage. Still he scored three blows to
Jeffries one and should have been de-
clared the winner.
Funny, isn't it? I'll admit I am not
infallible and as apt to make a mistake
as anybody, but I can't figure wherein
made mistake last night
Il looked over an afternoon paper to-
day In which appeared about thirty opin-
ions of well-knOwn sporting men, all we'll