1. Thomas "Sailor Tom" Sharkey was an Irish professional boxer who laid claim to the world heavyweight title by defeating Bob Fitzsimmons on December 2,1896 in a highly controversial fight.
22 Facts About Tom Sharkey
1. 2.
Tom Sharkey is credited with having won 37 fights, 9 losses, 6 draws, and 2 no contests.
3.
In 1953, Sharkey was named in Ring Magazines list of 100 greatest punchers of all time.
4.
Tom Sharkey is notable for his bouts with heavyweight champions James J Jeffries, "Gentelman Jim" Corbett, and Bob Fitzsimmons, fighting them each twice.
5.
Tom Sharkey was born in Dundalk, Ireland on November 26,1873.
6.
Tom Sharkey's story began when he ran away from home and went to sea as a cabin boy.
7.
In 1892, Tom Sharkey landed in New York City and joined the United States Navy.
8.
Tom Sharkey was eventually deployed to Hawaii where he began his pro fighting career.
9.
Tom Sharkey won his first professional bout against British Navy heavyweight champion Jack Gardner, who he knocked out in the fourth round on St Patrick's Day 1893.
10.
Tom Sharkey followed that fight up by challenging "Gentleman Jim" Corbett.
11.
Tom Sharkey had officiated 30 or so matches in earlier days, though not under the Marquess of Queensbury rules.
12.
Tom Sharkey later said he forgot he was wearing it.
13.
Fitzsimmons was taller and quicker than Tom Sharkey and dominated the fight from the opening bell.
14.
Tom Sharkey's ruling was greeted with loud boos and catcalls.
15.
Tom Sharkey awarded the decision to Sharkey, whom attendants carried out as "limp as a rag".
16.
Tom Sharkey claimed the heavyweight title until Corbett resumed his fighting career, who was recognized as the champion until he was knocked out by Fitzsimmons in a title bout.
17.
Tom Sharkey was involved in another controversial fight when he faced Corbett on November 22,1898.
18.
Tom Sharkey threw him to the ground, hit him with hard punches to the body and head and seemed on the verge of victory when one of Corbett's seconds jumped into the ring in the ninth round.
19.
On January 10,1899, Tom Sharkey faced another ring legend, the tricky Kid McCoy.
20.
Nevertheless, Tom Sharkey vowed to beat the 6-foot-2.5-inch burly Jeffries in the rematch.
21.
Tom Sharkey took the early lead when he battered the larger Jeffries, but Jeffries gained control of the fight in the later rounds and the bout was awarded to him.
22.
Tom Sharkey died there in 1953 and is buried at Golden Gate National Cemetery in San Bruno, California.