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Show STRANGE AS IT SEEMS By John lib PtllUD A 6UN ON BOB FifelMMOHS VrV2-- fife' ' mmottmvtcvim y V'!; " "5? ARMED REFEREE ... Wyatt Earp, famoui southwestern character, who was called upon to referee the Bob Fltraimmons-Tom Sharkey fight of December 2, 1896, entered the ring at San Francisco armed with a six-shooter; The gunman was almost totally unfamiliar with rules of the ring, but what he lacked In this manner he made up In nerve and shrewdness. The heavyweight fight proceeded smoothly through the first few rounds, and Fitzsimmons had every edge over his opponent However, In the eighth round, Sharkey danced around to a position where sports writers could not see what was happening and permitted "Fits" to sock him squarely in the stomach. Sharkey Immediately sank to the floor and claimed a foul, which Referee Earp allowed, giving the decision for the fight to Sharkey! Amid a near riot Fitzsimmons angrily made a rush at Earp. According to eye witnesses, Earp's hand sneaked to his gun, and Fits stopped bewildered be-wildered before the menacing referee. No gunplay took place, however, but the fight remains on the record as Fitzsimmons first defeat in this country! (Copyright, 1937, for The Telegram) |