Jack Sharkey, byname of Joseph Paul Zukauskas, (born Oct. 26, 1902, Binghamton, N.Y., U.S.—died Aug. 17, 1994, Beverly, Mass.), American world heavyweight-boxing champion from June 21, 1932, when he defeated Max Schmeling in 15 rounds at Long Island City, N.Y., till 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 main heavyweight, Sailor Tom Sharkey, was, like his prototype, a sailor earlier than getting into the ring. He turned outstanding in 1926–27 with victories over championship contenders Harry Wills, Mike McTigue, and Jim Maloney. He was maybe at his greatest in a controversial defeat by Jack Dempsey in New York City, July 21, 1927; Dempsey knocked out Sharkey within the seventh spherical whereas Sharkey was protesting an alleged foul blow.
In his first likelihood on the heavyweight championship in 1930, Sharkey misplaced to Schmeling on a foul. His subsequent victory over Schmeling was unpopular, many observers pondering that the loser deserved the win. Sharkey’s lack of the title was additionally a matter of controversy: Carnera was extensively believed to be backed by gangsters, who have been suspected of fixing the battle. Sharkey retired from the ring in 1936. From 1924 to 1936 he had 55 bouts, profitable 38, of which 15 have been by knockouts.