SHARKEY, JACK

born Oct. 26, 1902, Binghamton, N.Y., U.S. died Aug. 17, 1994, Beverly, Mass. byname of Joseph Paul Zukauskas American world heavyweight-boxing champion from June 21, 1932, when he defeated Max Schmeling in 15 rounds at Long Island City, N.Y., until June 29, 1933, when he was knocked out by Primo Carnera in six rounds in New York City. Sharkey, who named himself for a former leading heavyweight, Sailor Tom Sharkey, was, like his prototype, a sailor before entering the ring. He became prominent in 192627 with victories over championship contenders Harry Wills, Mike McTigue, and Jim Maloney. He was perhaps at his best in a controversial defeat by Jack Dempsey in New York City, July 21, 1927; Dempsey knocked Sharkey out in the seventh round while Sharkey was protesting an alleged foul blow. In his first chance at the heavyweight championship, in 1930, Sharkey lost to Schmeling on a foul. His subsequent victory over Schmeling was unpopular, many observers thinking that the loser deserved the honours. Sharkey's loss of the title was also a matter of controversy: Carnera was widely believed to be backed by gangsters, who were suspected of fixing the fight. Sharkey retired from the ring in 1936. From 1924 to 1936 he had 55 bouts, winning 38, 15 by knockouts.