Celtic Gore

Last week at Madison Square Garden, Manhattan, Mike McTigue, 34, Irish, met Jack Sharkey, 24, Lithuanian, in the third of Tex Rickard's heavyweight boxing elimination contests. Sharkey, younger, 20 pounds heavier, was favored to win over the scheduled 15 rounds. McTigue stood toe to toe with his youthful opponent, traded blows for eleven rounds, closed one of Sharkey's eyes, cut his lip with sharp left jabs. As the gong rang for the twelfth round McTigue seemed in a fair way to triumph.

At the start of the twelfth however, Sharkey darted from his corner, shot his right fist to McTigue's jaw with spectacular results. A fountain of blood spurted from the Irishman's mouth continued to spurt. Both fighters were soon smeared from head to heel with Celtic gore. Spectators, bloodthirsty of nature, were visibly relieved when Referee McPartland stopped the fight, giving Sharkey credit for a technical knockout.

Subsequent examination developed that a pugilist is no stronger than his bridgework. Sharkey's right fist had torn loose one of McTigue's substitute molars. This tooth, driven through the upper gum, had met a large artery; caused a hemorrhage; lost the battle for its owner.