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

ana SWINGS w htch DO Not Bnuu
Delay in Putting Up the Purse,
NEW YORK, Aug. 24.-sirce the tine
when Wyatt carp decided that Thomas
sharkey defeated Robert Fltzsimmons o1
a foul in California several years ago the
sailor has constantly maintained that he
was the Cornishman's master in that en-
counter and could again demonstrate his
superiority. Tonight in the ring of the
Seaside Sporting Club at Coney Island
Sharkey, improved as to science ard in
the best physical condition possible, had
an opportunity to demonstrate to ring fol-
lowers whether there was truth in his con-
tinued statements. To the satisfaction CT
5000 spectators Fitzsimmons showed that
in every respect he was the master of
Sharkey, who was counted out in the sec
ond round because of his inability to get
to his feet after ten seconds had been
counted by Referee Charley Whit.
While the result was decisive. Sharkey
came near springing surprise. He started
aggressive tactics as soon as the bell
opened the first round, and a moment be-
fore that rounded ended the sailor landed
a swinging blow on the jaw that knocked
Fitzsimmons to the floor. The Cornish
man was unquestionably in some distress
from the effects Of that blow, but the bell
came to his rescue, and in the ensuing
minute which he had in his corner he re-
covered sufficiently 10 enable him to make
hurricane fight to a finish in the follow
ing round. Fitzsimmons once again showed
his tremendous hitting powers. He also
illustrated the scientific principles OF fight
ing because he avoided many dangerous
smasnes and then stepped in with short,
accurate hooks .hat clearly made the
sailor break ground. 1t is safe to say that
there was not a punch delivered by Fftz-
simmons that did not take effect. Whether
It was the right or left hand that was
used and whether in the head or boSy
that the blows landed, there was power
behind every punch TO take away the
phenomenal strength of the muscular
sailor, who was outclassed in head work,
generalship, speed and hitting
Shsrkey did not know how to fight Fitz-
sim mons That WIS apparent from the
first tap of the bell. The Cornishman
knew that. ard acted accordingly. The
sailor rushed and swung round arm blows
from behind his back 10 the head. Even
~
short body punches but kept on swinging
both hands. which invariably went around
FitzsImmors neck When he finally got
into the mix-up at the end of the first
round. which resulted in Fitzsimmons fall.
Sharkey became 50 excited that he did not
come up for the second round with any
degree OF settled judgment. He was more
perplexed then than in the first round as
TO the best way to get after Fitz, and as
&c Rph a
quick rush and heavy assault, Sharkey
was all at sea.
Fitzsimmons simply poured in short
3olts TO the head and stomach, all Of
which were inside of Sharkeys swings,
for the sailors blows were wild swings.
with no idea of distance or objective
points. The blows that Fitzsimmons put
in were so powerful that Sharkey soon
staggered. Then FItzsimmons showed his
ability to follow Up this advantage with
an assault that simply blinded the sailor
and literally beat him down as though
the Cornishman had a hammer in each
hand
Though it raas expected that the ocean
breezes Sst4id make it comfortable for the
spectators. it was insuffs-ably hot for
these who came early. The high-priced
seats were vacant so long that the man
agement began to fear that the $4,000
would not be made up. Indeed. it Looked
like a losing venture. for at S:45 there
were not over 2.0GO spectators in the build
ing. which has q seating capacity Of 5000.
Sharkey arrived at the island from his
training quarters at Shsepshead Bay short
ly after o'clock. He went to a suite of
rooms at Ben Cohen's hotel not far away
from the clubhouse, and when his pres
ence became known that resort was sur
rounded by a motley crowd. The sailor.
to all outward appearances, was confident
of winning He said he was in better
condition now than when he fought Ruh-
lin.
While Sharkey rested in his quarters
Fitzsimmons was on his way to the island
from Bergen Beach in a special trolley .
car with several intimate friends and sec
onds, and was supremely confident, as
usual. When the Cornishman got to the
Island he Immediately retired TO a quiet
resort, where he rested easily. He said
What is the use Of talking now? The
best way ! know how to tell people about
this fight is to get into the ring and win
The public knows very well that / am not
fond OF blowing my own horn through the
newspapers"
As the crowd came in later on there was
a decided preference for Sharkey in the
betting, SO that instead Of Fitzsimmons
ruling to 1 faTorite, as he had been I
curing the past week, his price was slowly 4
reduced to to 8. 1t was even money that
the fight would not go over ten rounds. In
the crowd around the ringside were Dave
Gideon, John DAILY, Honest John Kelly.
Billy Edwards. Tony Pastor, Marcus May
e.. Frank Mckee. Joe Vendig Billy Brady.
Jim Kennedy, Lee Harrison, Pat keenan,,
Fred Taral. Joe Dunn. Al Smith. Ben Jor-
dan, Buck Connolly, Martin Dowling. Doc
ordway. Bob Pinkerton, George Considine,
Spike Sullivan, Jimmy Wakely. Oscar
Gardener, Charley Bangs, Martin Cowan.
Phil Dwyer, Gus Rubin, Joe Cans. Frank
Erne. Mysterious Billy Smith, Dave
Warfeld, George Dixon. Tod Sloane. pitts
burg Phil" Mike Dwyer. Charles FIeisch-
mann, Dave Johnson, Mstty Matthews. Kid
Broad. Spider Kelly. Joe Bernstein. James
J. Corbett. Harry Tuthill and many 9TH
srs.
There was vivid lightning outside and
thunder was booming when Champion
James J. Jeffries appeared. The boiler
maker wore a diamond stt=i that made his
manager. Billy Brady shut his eyes when
ever he looked at him. The crowd did
not recognize them. When Corbett came