The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-07-23

was Jack Sharkey is no more. The Boston sailor, whose ability has been a subject of debate almost from the first day he donned boxing gloves, is a good middleweight, noth- ing more.
 Sharkey proved his right to ranking among the top-fight of the class last night by fighting 15-round draw with the retired middleweight champion in the annual New York milk fund charity show at Ebbets field. Brooklyn.
 Not Good Enough for Max?
 The bout was advertised as an "American heavyweight cham pionship" contest, but instead of producing a titleholder it effective ly eliminated both principals from consideration as challengers for the championship now held by Max Schmeling of Germany.
 On the basis of their perform anccs last night, neither Sharkey recognized by the New York state athletic commission as an outstand- ing contender for the titlc, nor Walker could be rated as worthy opponent for the German cham pion.
 Although he got no better than a draw for his effort, Sharkey ap- peared to have slightly the better of the bout. In this writer's opinion he had a clear margin In seven rounds, and held Walker even in five others, leaving but three rounds that Walker could call his own.
 Official Vote
 However, his performance was so unimpressive considering his tremendous physical advantages that the officials were justified in calling the contest a draw. one judge, George Kelly, named Shar- key as the winner: Referee Arthur Donovan voted for Walker, and Charles F. MathisOn, rated gener- ally AS the most capable judge on the New York staff of officials. ac- tually decided the contest with his vote of a draw.
 Sharkcy threw away his chance of winning the official decision by failure to control his punches to the body. Always wild punchcr, Sharkcy was guilty of low blows in several rounds. Under the New York commission rules. which do not recognize fouls, low blows are pcnalizcd by loss Of the round and because of this the officials were forced to give Walker several rounds in which SharIcy actually had the advantage.
 Sharkey's failure to score decisive triumph was one of the biggest upsets In pugilistic history. The Bostonian had every physical and mechanical adVantage-out- weighing Walker 198 1-2 to 163 1-2 pounds; towering over the squat lrishman by six inches; having four inch margin in reach: and be- ing the better boxer and harder hittcr--and he had been expected 10 win by knockout. with maj Ority of critics predicting that the bout would not go phst the fifth round.
 Cob Made the Fight
 The Bos,onian tried hard 10 ob- ligc and to his credit 1t must be said that he made the fight. But for Sharkey's forcing tactics 1t might have been a slow, dreary contest instead of he best heavy weight fight seen in New York since Jack Dempsey deserted the ring.
 Sharkcv actually made good fight, one of the best of his career, but his best was not good enough 10 beat the stout thcartcd Walker and 1t was proved conclusivcly that Jack lacks a real knockout punch, and that the myth of his right to world honOrs was unfOunded.
 Walker made fine showing con sidering his physical disadvantages and was the hero of the contest to the 10000 spectators who paid $200.OO0 to witness the show but he failed 10 show sufficient ability 10 warrant the belief that he will add the heavyweight championship to his list of world titles. Mickey was backing away from Sharkcy during the greater part of the bout and gave most of his efforts 10 the defensive. with his offensive bein.. limited 10 occasional brilliant ral- lies during which he pelted Shar- keys body and head with hard left Ja bs.
 Despite his defensive skin which cna bled him to bob under Shar- keys right hand leads. Walker took 4 severe beating about the head. His left eye was cut as early as the hfth round and dripped blood for the balance of he fight. He looked considerably the worse for wear when the hnal bell sounded. Shar- key left the ring unmarked.
 Two Big Rounds
 Walker made his best showing In the ninth and eleventh rounds He got inside Sharkey's guard In the ninth and scored repeatedly with hard rights and lefts 10 th 3 body. In the eleventh he tore into Sharkey from the start and gave the Bostonian q bad lacing about the body. Sharkey back peddaled and appeared to be "dogging IL" while the crowd. predominantly pro Walker shouted for 4 knock out. Even Gene Tunney. who pro- fesses 10 have no interest in boxing. got tO hia feet and chcered for the toy bulldog"
 Sharkey made his big bid for victory in the twelfth. Warned by his seconds that he must make 4 fast finish to win, he rushed out of his corner and chased Walker about the ring. He rocked Walker with q right iO the head and pounded him up against the ropes. only 10 back away Just when it ap- pcarrd that he might put over q knockout. Except for that brief liuTrv EuurkcV puVe no eVideucc of