The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-08-25

! spectators IN the building, which still
meant that the club would be out of poke
/ in making up the purse. While the crowt
waited terrific thunderstorm broke ovel
| the top of the clubhouse. The rain came
/ down through the roof in various places
( SO tfah Umbrellas were hoisted and coat:
We're put on hastily. Crash after crasl
/ Of thunder made the crowd somewhat anx'
io3s.
At $3.50 o'clock no preliminary had Lesr
put on and the storm was still raging out
side
Retting Fayors SharLey.
The betting still hung ct to 8, Homes.
John Kelly offering $4,000 to S5,0oD on
Fitazininols as many times as anyore
uld care 10 take it. That was the pre-
y: ling price at the ringside when the
msn appeared.
The fighters were in the building at 9:4o,
aid there was an immediate conference
b tween them and the management in re-
gard to the purse taat had been guaTan-
teec. The club was not over anxious to
lose any money and-wanted the fighters
TO contest for the gross receipts, as was
the case on New Years Day, when a large
crowd was held up for several hours while
the club officials haggled with Mccoy and
Maher. 1t was estimated that there was
time, and as there was no prospect of any
increase over this amount. 1t was up TO
the pugilists to take it or leave it.
While the wrangle went on it was noised
about that Tom ORourke was in doubt
whether he would go behind Sharkey OF
not O'Rourke was rather bitter toward
the sailor, and stood around looking any
thing but enthusiastic
1t 9:i5 O'Clock, one hour after the ad-
vertised time. preliminary was put into
the ring. The principals were Billy Ryar
of Brooklyn, and Jerry Barnett, of New
York. who were matched to go six rounds
at catch weights. Ryan won in the fourth
by knocking Ryan out.
There was a long delay after the men
got into corners because Referee White r..
fused to get into the ring until his moLey
hooted and hissed while the managers
hob-nohbed with White. The latter wanted
$500. which was refused, and Kid Broad,
the Cleveland featherweght. was put into
the ring to oficiate Meanwhile the wran-
Cling over the different financial questions
continued.
The Spectators impatient.
Referee White said that il he did not
get what he wanted he would not go into
the ring at all. The fighters also insisted
upon receiving the full amount of the
purse and threatened not to put up their
hands unless they got 1t The crowd sat
around tanning and sweltering, and also
wondering whether 1t was to be buncred
or mob. The mismanagement called forth
condemnation every minute. and many
expressed satisfaction that the law would
sOon be a dead letter and such organiza-
tions would be closed up
White still held out for $500. The near
est approach to a compromise was an
offer OF $500 from Percy Williams. the
of Fitzsimmons, and o'Rourke,
Sharkey's manager.
It was finally announced that everything
was settled and that the fighters would
be III the ring at 1875 o'clock Their
as follows: For Fitzsim-
mons. Dan Hickey. JEFF Thomas. and Jack
Neary; timekeeper. Billy Roeber. For
shafkey. Tom o'Rourke, Spider Kelly,
jim Buckley. and Jack Sullivan; time
Though the men did not tell their weights.
Fitzsimmons was at about 10, while
Sharkey was fully fifteen pounds heavier.
sharIsey in the Ring.
sharkey wss the first to enter the ring.
He wore a blue bathrobe and green trunks
His hair was closely cut and he locked as
strong as a bull. He sat down in the coz
ner occupied by Jeffries in all his winning
fights at this club, as also by Ruh-
IN, when he beat the sailor. Sharkey
wore bandages on his hands. He pulled
OF his bathrobe Immediately because OF
the heated atmosphere and sat on his
chair, his seconds following him leisurely.
There was another delay before Fitzsim-
mons appeared.
During the wait good old John [. Sui
livan was introduced to the crowd with the
information that his benefit would take
place at Madison Square Garden next
Wednesday night. John made a speech in
which he said he was John L. Sullivan. on
the level always. The crowd cheered him
wildly. Sullivan looked well and was
pleased with his reception. Then cries for
Ccrbett. Mccoy, and every fighter of note
was heard. but the men called for remain
ed in the background. 4 new set of
gloves WeFe thrown into the middle Of the
ring, but that did not help matters as Fitz-
simmons was still in the dreszing room
at 1865
It was remarked that the Cornishman
lad declined to get into the ring until the .
20. Geo stake was put up in the hands Of .
| responsible stakeholder. The informa- /
ion came direct from the dressing room,
where Fitzsimmons, ready for business, /
at upon chair and coolly waited for an
'ficiai statement from the club officials.
rhe crowd, driven to desperation. Kissed
md INDUCED in catcalls, but it did nd /
,ooc
Shark1y's seconds sponged him off and
AIMED him, but that was not what the Z
'eople were there for. They wanted a
Ight and had been waiting for over two (
I0urs for one, having paid exorbitant
,rices to get into the club. The same old
was in evidence and many
u the spectators were ready to 20 home
suddenly Macias made a frantic rush to
'hdrkey's corner and held a hurried con-
ultation with o'Rourke. The latter got
.own out Of the ring and whispered into
ne ear OF Assemblyman Timothy p. Sulli-
an 1t looked as though Fitzsimmons
ieid the whip hand, for the managers did
lot know what TO do in the face of the
Humorous assemhlage. II was either a
ase of put up 81. 600 in cash or hand OUT
money 10 the crowd, declaring everything
f.
At 1l:1o Fitzsimmons finally came ont
4 his dressing room, the crowd Kissing
nd hoOting him all the way to the ring
-here was some applause, but that was
moihered. The CoTnishman wore n long. +
ihite bathrobe, and had on white trunks.
lie brought his own gloves with him
When he stripped he looked in such fine
ondition that the crowd cheered Hjs
auds and wrists wee wrapped In band
ges. He wore a belt OF the American
ag around his waist. O'Rourke looked at
is hands and pronounced them all right.
hen FltzsimmoEs pulled on his gloves.
'hile o'Rourke put on sharkey's Fitz-
immons did not like the reception he
eceiyed, and frowned as he looked cut
through the ropes at the spectators.
tor ha Ifry,f -.