Biography

Jack 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 1926-27 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 out Sharkey 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 win. 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, of which 15 were by knockouts.
- IMDb mini biography by: Dwayne Thomas