The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-08-28

But Cannot DO It-Fftzsinmons was
Knocked Down In the First Round.
SomeH Heavy smuggling
New York, August 24.-Whipped into
insensibility in less than two rounds IS
the story in brief OF Tom Sharkey's
meeting with Bob Fitzsimmons al the
Coney Island Sporting Club tonight.
Fftzsimmons was the victor, Sharkey
the loser. Fitzsimmons said all along
that when an opportunity presented it
self he would prove conclusively that
he was Sharkey's superior. and settle
for the injustice done him
when he met Sharkey in California
four years ago.
Sharkey was equally confident that
he would prove to be FitZsimmons'
master in the ring.
The result of tonight's battle and the
brevity of il proved that FitZsimmons
is still a great fighter and able to beat
the best of the heavy weights. He has
beaten Corbett. Rubin and Sharkey.
Fftzsimmons was a decided favorite
in the betting, owing to his showing
with Rubin a short time ago. His de-
feat of Rubin on that occasion n the
previous victory Of Rubin over Shar-
key a few weeks earlier were figured
on as showing that Fitzsimmons ought
to whip the sailor on this occasion.
When Fitzsimmons was declared the
winner the crowd SUI ged toward he
ring, but the police got ahead of them
and drove them back FitZsimmons
was congratulated by those nearest his
corner and then he ran over and
grasped Sharkey by the gloved hand.
Fftzsimmons almost danced with de-
light when stepping back from Shar-
keys corner and as he walked to his
dressing o he was loudly cheered.
Sharkey in the meantime had recov-
cred very quickly from his punishment
and was able to leave the ring as soon
as Fitzsimmons.
The first big bet made at the ring
side was $500 to $500 on Fitzsimmons.
H. 0. Price, Of Pittsburg, taxing the
Fitzsimmons end. Joe Humphries, of
New York, the Sharkey end.
An hour before the battle began
bookmaker Joe Vendig was Offering
$1,000 to 500 or FitZsimmons. The
Sharkey commissioners wanted $1,000
to 5000. Vendig claimed Sharkey's
price would be 500 to $1,000 before the
battle began.
Al SIc"u was III al q z as VA
previous occasions. attributable large
ly to the inclement weather. At 8
o'clock about 1000 persons had passed
through the turnstiles. After this the
people arrived in small knots and
punches. Both men were said to be in
the best Of shape. Sharkey arrived at
the island from his cottage at Sleeps
head Bay at Z o'clock. in excellent
spirits II boasting he would surely
win.
Sharkey entered the ring enveloped
in a blue hath robe. He took the cor
ner occupied by Jeffries on the night
that Sharkey fought the later.
FitZsimmons, On entering the ring,
was greeted with mingled cheers and
groans. He wore a light colored bath
robe and carried his gloves in his
right hand. He wore pink knitted
trunks held up by a belt of small
American flags, with a red, white and
blue rosette at the side. Like Sharkey,
he also wore bandages on both hands.
The master of ceremonies intro
duced the men and Zach received an
ovation. Charlie White entered the
ring INT was introduced as the referee
of the fight.
Round 1.-Sharkey rushed and swung
his left for the body, but Fftzsimmons
was out of reach. Sharkey rushed
| again, but Fitzsimmons jumped away
Sharkey rushed again, but FitZsim,
mons met him with a heavy right or
the body. Sharkey missed a right
swing. FitZsimmons easily stepped
out of reach. Sharkey swung his left
but Fitzsimmons got away and thu
blow landed on his back. Fitzsimmon:
tried right and left for head, bu'
Sharkey ducked and then Fitzsimmon:
landed a left hook or the neck. Shar
key swung wildly for the head, bu
1 ~ 1cin,roo l,1olaI on6 SAINT hic rio,,
to Sharkey's jaw. Sharkey clinched
Sharkey swung a heavy left for thu
head, but Fftzsimmons blocked it
Sharkey rushed wildly, landing a lef
on the shoulder. FitZsimmonS sen
left and right to h face. then Shar
key rushed again, swinging his left Of
the shoulder, and Fitzsimmons Wen
down to the floor. Sharkey fallin,
over him in his rush. Gong rang will
FitZsimmons on the floor and tn
referee between thin.
Round 2.-Sharkey rushed to clos
quarters, swinging left and right with
out landing. Fftzsimmons rushed
sending his right to the body and lief
to the neck. Bot swung wildly witt
rights and lefts. Fitzsimmons steppe,
in with a right to the body and left t
the head. Sharkey was wild, but FitZ
simmons sent him to the floor, after
succession of rights and leIts on tn
face. Sharkey took the count and go
UP groggy, and staggered back to tn
ropes. Fitzsimmons went after hin
and hooked his left to b jaw. The
he sent right and left to the head an,
Sharky was unable to protect himself
Then FitzsimmonS sent a hard RICH
to the body and hooked his left to tn
jaw, and as Sharkey was staggering
he hooked his left to the jaw, sendinl
Sharkey down the second time. Shar
key struggled to regain his feet, bu
fell over on his hands and face. H
struggled gamely, attempting to ge
up, but the right on the body and lef
on the Jaw had done their work, an,
Sharkey was counted out by tn
referee. who decided Fitzsimmons tn
winner.