Rensselaer Republican, Volume 28, Number 14, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 December 1896 — LOSES IT ON A FOUL [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

LOSES IT ON A FOUL

Fitzsimmons Fails to Get the Decision Over Sharkey. The fight between Robert Fitzsiinmon? arid Thomas Sharkey in San Francisco proved the most sensational in the

history of the ring. Sharkey w-a s knocked down with t a left crook on the ja w i n the eighth ro u n d and was carried u n c o n s cious from the ring amid great excitement. Some confusion followed* w h i Qh the crowd did not understands, F i t z s immons

was trying to speak, but could not be heard. Then it was learned that Referee Wiley Earp had awarded the fight to Sharkey on a claim of foul. It w t as claimed that Fitzsimmons struck Sharkey ip the groin with his knee as the latter was falling. Fitzsimmons, protested and the crowd hissed and groaned. In the eigth round Fitzsimmons soon had his man going and went at him ferociously. A right-hand swing staggered the sailor and then came ! a left-hand swing, and a left-arm punch under the chin that sent, Sharkey over with a thud. While the marine was falling the referee claims that Fitzsimmons struck him in the groin with his knee, thus committlngafoul. Sharkey was undoubtedly badly-, .hurt. His seconds rushed into the ring arid raised him up, but he fainted away and was borne from the ring unconscious. Hardly any one among the spectators saw the foul, and the decision was received with hisses and groans. ' No event in the history of pugilism on the Pacific coast ever attracted so much public attention. Between 15,000 and 20,00 people ocupied aH the available space in the big Mechanics’ pavilion and watched the contest, which every one regarded as practically deciding the championship of the world. The long, lean

New Zealander, who had had a succession of victories in the United States for the last five or six years, entered the ring with almost every apparent advantage in his favor. He could count upon his experience and .science, his height and reach, and every other quality which enters into the making of the successful prize-fighter. Against him was the sailor lad, tfho was unknown six months ago, but who rose to fame recently when he came perilously near trailing in .the dust the colors of California’s idol, James J. Corbett. . .*.<

FITZSIMMONS.