The Wasp — 1896 — page 873: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This satirical piece references boxer **Tom Sharkey**, who threatens to "knock the head off Fitzsimmons in two rounds or join the Marines"—mocking his boastful pre-fight declarations. The cartoon depicts a crowd gathered around what appears to be a street-corner announcement or debate, with a well-dressed man (possibly a politician or promoter) observing on the right. The illustration satirizes the hype surrounding a boxing match between Sharkey and likely **Bob Fitzsimmons**, a prominent boxer of the era. The three subheadings reference related boxing drama: a "Bloody Battle" between local figures ("Butchertown Pet" and "Scaldy Bill"), and **Lavigne defeating Everhardt**—suggesting the page covers multiple boxing controversies. The satire mocks excessive athletic boasting and the public spectacle surrounding professional boxing.