Jack Sharkey

(October 26, 1902 - August 17, 1994)
June 12, 1930 world championship contested 25-year-old German Max Schmeling, and 28-year-old Lithuanian American Jack Sharkey. The first three rounds were held with the obvious advantage Sharkey, and after successful for him melee Max's right eye completely closed. But then the German boxer suddenly came to life and stunned opponent a few powerful blows to the head, which later enabled his supporters to give such an explanation: Shmelling, according to the plan, initially lured Sharkey to make reveal. In the fourth round of a foul blow below the belt D. Sharkey was disqualified, but that blow knocked M. Schmeling earned the nickname "horizontal champion". And to date, ironically, that M. Schmeling was the only absolute world champion, who received the highest title in the box lying on the floor.
Jack Sharkey (Paul Zukauskas) was born in a family of Lithuanian immigrants October 26, 1902. With 12 years began to self-employed life. During the 1-st World War, he volunteered in the U.S. Army. Few years had been a sailor, started boxing 16 years as an amateur. Performed successfully, became the champion of the National Guard. When the ring left Gene Tunney this boxer has a chance to take his place. American public knew him before, he's 25 - year-old, with several major victories came against Jack Dempsey, and after a rather interesting event was knocked out of. Then Sharkey, it would seem, could finally relax about their claims to the boxing crown, but it turned out otherwise.

He had 96 kg weight and greater physical strength, but the boxing art, he always lacked. Jack Sharkey served as a seaman aboard a warship, where he learned to box. Contractions in the ring in this environment is not very different from the brawl in port taverns, and therefore later Sharkey relied primarily on their courage and terrible, sweeping strokes.

. Another thing is that over time, having collected a great experience, a former sailor somehow learned to hide their technical inability
. Therefore, its prosperity began late in the day. He scored a series of big victories over British champion Phil Scott (knockout in the third round), . then beat the champions in different years in the light heavyweight: American Tommy Laurena and Jack Delani and, . Finally, . have excellent strand Yang Striblinga, . who had adamantly went to the throne.,

. Putting him, Jack Sharkey became a candidate for overriding the title match
. But it needed another prince of boxing, as such, was not among the Americans that forced the bosses to switch their attention to the men of the Old World. Then they head briskly walked around, since almost every European country dragged their candidate. Just then all of a sudden German Max Shmelling received the title of European champion, and everything seems cleared up by itself: the second candidate was found.

. June 12, 1930 world championship contested 25-year-old German Max Schmeling, and 28-year-old Lithuanian American Jack Sharkey
. The first three rounds were held with the obvious advantage Sharkey, and after successful for him melee Max's right eye completely closed. But then the German boxer suddenly came to life and stunned opponent a few powerful blows to the head, which later enabled his supporters to give such an explanation: Shmelling, according to the plan, initially lured Sharkey to make reveal. In the fourth round of a foul blow below the belt D. Sharkey was disqualified, but that blow knocked M. Schmeling earned the nickname "horizontal champion". And to date, ironically, that M. Schmeling was the only absolute world champion, who received the highest title in the box lying on the floor.

. Luckless Sharkey soon demanded a rematch - yes, he violated the rule, but by chance, and therefore has a moral right to the second leg
. However, his successful rival in this time crossed the ocean on the liner. Shmelling returned home a national hero. His victory was a gift for fascist Germany as further evidence of the power of the Aryan race.

Sharkey Shmellinga blood thirsty and was ready to wipe down any who try to stand in the way of his vengeance. The latest of such was the Italian Primo Carnera, 120 - kilogram giant, but still inexperienced and physically ill for the fledgling game. He stood on his feet until the end, but in the later rounds looked like a sack to beat. In these moments, Jack Sharkey broke his finger, but his rage was so great that injury, he drew attention only in the locker room.
American public at this time yearned for accession to the throne Sharkey, and only his. In the same spirit, acted and organizers. When Joe Jacobs, manager of the German, learned that the referee in the ring named Genbot Smith - longtime crony and Sharkey, he grimly said: "My boyfriend would never will win!".
The battle took place on June 21, 1932. We must pay tribute Shmellingu, he was perfectly prepared for the match. Serious experts argued that Max obviously won eight rounds, six looked weaker, and in one - on a par with Sharkey. Nevertheless, Smith raised his hand former sailor. Wind in their sympathies, Max admiring audience whistles and shouts of approval: even the most desperate patriots felt the injustice of what happened and guilt before Shmellingom.
Did not have to sit on the throne, and Jack Sharkey. A year later, June 29, 1933 at the New York Stadium, Long Island, met at the world championship between Jack Sharkey and gain experience Primo Carnera. World champion courageously resisted the giant. In the second round Carnera missed a cruel blow on the side of the jaw. By the fifth round had received two warnings, but in the sixth round, he woke up like Vesuvius, and at rinuvshis Sharqi, struck his two aperkotami (undercut).
. After this defeat Sharkey few more years (until 1936) played in the ring, but without success
. The last battle against the rising star has a professional boxing D. Luis. Sharkey for 8 years was a top ten heavyweights of the world, with the 3 times was the first, 1932-1933 - the world champion.
Died former champion at the age of nearly 92 years August 17, 1994.