The Washington times., 1932-06-22
7O,OOOCROWD.
DIVIDED ON
RESULT
By JAMES L. KILGALLEN

controversy ragged in fistic circles
today over the decision last night
which crowned Jack Sharkey Of
Boston as the new heavyweight
champion of the world, depriving
Max Schmeling of Germany OF
his title.
Schmeling's followers-particu-
larly his manager, Joe Jacobs
set up an indignant cry of rob
berry"
The decision almost stunned
into silence a near capacity
crowd of 10000 which viewed the
15.round bout in the new Madi-
son Square Garden bowl in Long
Island City. When Schmeling'S
admirers got over their surprise
they roundly booed the verdict.
Others, who thought Sharkey
won, cheered Justify.
A consensus today among so
men whose judgment on fights is
regarded as expert, found AZ
ruling that Schmeling was victor.
Sharkey's Eye Closed
When the fight ended Sharkeys
left eye was virtually closed and
he appeared to be tired. He
seemed surprised when Joe Hum
phrieS. the veteran announcer,
bawled
"The winner, and new cham
piOn-Jack Sharkey!"
Newspaper men at the ring
side were split wide open regard
ing the merit of the decision.
Some saw it this way, some that.
To Sharkey and his manager, the
corpulent Johnny buckley, the
verdict was eminently fair. But
Jacobs cried:
Robbery, downright robbery.
They couldn't have taken two
guns and stuck us up and have
done a better job of it."
Schmeling, as he stood beneath
the showers, was almost speech
less. Tears glistened in his eyes.
Jacobs cried openly in despair
and indignation.
Undramatic Fight
The decision was the result Of
a three-cornered vote. The refe-
rec, Gunboat Smith, gave the
verdict to Sharkey. So did
George Kelly. one of the two
Judges. The other judge, Charlie
Mathison, gave the decision to
Schmeling. =.
1t was a singularly undramatic
fight. There we're no knock
Gowns.
It was a boxing match. rather
than a prize fight. The really
earnest fighting was withheld
until the final round, which
Sharkey won. The Bostonlan
employed a left jab to good
effect throughout the bout, but
Schmeling did all the leading.
Not once in the Is rounds did
the German take a backward
step. He peppered Sharkey's
face with leftS and rights and
had the ex-sailor's left eye
almost closed by the eleventh
round.
Thought Schmeling Won
Personally, I thought Schmeling
won. My score sheet gave him
seven rounds, Sharkey five and
three were even. gave Schme-
ling the seventh, ninth, tenth.
eleventh. twelfth thirteenth and
fourteenth rounds and Sharkey
the second, third, fourth. fifth,
and fifteenth rounds. The first.
sixth and eighth rounds were even.
Sharkey, coming into the ring
weighing 205 pounds, heavier than
he ever weighed in an important
bout. looked fat around the
middle. The German, at 1873
pounds, was below his usual ring
time weight but he seemed strong
throughout. He was fresh at the
finish.
When the gong rang ending the
bout and before the decision was
announced, Sharkey brushed aside
one of his handlers who tried to
stop him and went to Schmeling's
| corner and shook hands with him.
Many construed this gesture as
virtual admission by Sharkey that
he had lost. Schmeling patted
Sharkey in what appeared to be
a consoling manner.
Decision StunS Max
Schmeling was dumfounded
when the decision was an
nounced. He stood there in the
ring, in his black and white bath
robe, as if in a daze. He was
finally led away while admirers
of Sharkey jumped into the ring
and showered the new champion
with congratulations.