Bob Fitzsimmons
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Fitzsimmons is rated among the greatest fighters that ever lived. He held three World Championships during his career -- Middleweight, Heavyweight, and Light Heavyweight; Some sources, including Fitz himself, claim he had over 350 fights, but this may be an an exaggeration; In the ring, Fitzsimmons moved quickly and hit hard from all angles; He took on much larger men without hesitation.
Nat Fleischer ranks Fitzsimmons as the #3 All-Time Heavyweight; Charley Rose ranks him as the #1 All-Time Light Heavyweight; Fitzsimmons was elected to the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1990
BORN : May 26 1863; Helston, Cornwall, England DIED : October 22 1917; Chicago, Illinois HEIGHT : 5-11 3/4 WEIGHT : 150-175 lbs RACE : White MANAGERS : Charles Glori, Martin Julian
1880 -Fitzsimmons defeated four men at Timaru, NZ and won a Jem Mace Tournament for the Lightweight Championship of New Zealand 1881 -Fitzsimmons defeated five men at Timaru, NZ and won a Jem Mace Tournament for the Middleweight Championship of New Zealand Herbert Slade Timaru, NZ TK 2 Tom Baines Timaru, NZ TK 1 Jim Crawford Timaru, NZ LT 3 Pat McCarney Timaru, NZ KO 11 Arthur Cooper Timaru, NZ KO 3 -Bare Knuckles were used for this bout Jack Murphy Timaru, NZ TK 8 -Bare Knuckles were used for this bout; The previous bouts are believed to be Amateur bouts 1883 Jim Crawford Sydney, NSW, Aus TK 3 -Bare Knuckles were used for this bout Pablo Frank Sydney, NSW, Aus W 4 Joe Riddle Sydney, NSW, Aus W 4 Alf Brinsmead Sydney, NSW, Aus KO 2 Jack Greentree Sydney, NSW, Aus KO 3 Jack Bonner Sydney, NSW, Aus W 4 Dick Sandall Sydney, NSW, Aus W 4 1886 May 15 Mick Dooley Sydney, NSW, Aus LT 4 Jun 2 Mick Dooley Sydney, NSW, Aus L 4 Jun 5 Mick Dooley Sydney, NSW, Aus L 4 Jul 10 Mick Dooley Sydney, NSW, Aus KO 2 Aug 7 McArdle Sydney, NSW, Aus W 4 Oct 7 Bill Smith Sydney, NSW, Aus ND 4 1887 Mar Bill Slavin Sydney, NSW, Aus TK 5 George Eager Sydney, NSW, Aus KO 2 Dave Conway Sydney, NSW, Aus TK 2 1888 Jim Hall Sydney, NSW, Aus ND 4 Frank "Paddy" Slavin Sydney, NSW, Aus ND 4 Jim Hall Sydney, NSW, Aus ND 4 Billy McCarthy Sydney, NSW, Aus ND 4 Dec 1 McEwan Sydney, NSW, Aus W 4 1889 Dec 12 Dick Ellis Sydney, NSW, Aus ND 4 -Evidence exists that this bout never took place 1890 Feb 4 Edward "Starlight" Rollins Sydney, NSW, Aus ND 4 Feb 10 Jim Hall Sydney, NSW, Aus KO 1 Feb 12 Jim Hall Sydney, NSW, Aus LK 4 -Middleweight Championship of Australia; It is alleged that the previous 2 bouts were prearranged Feb 22 Edward "Starlight" Rollins Sydney, NSW, Aus TK 9 -Rollins knocked Fitzsimmons down in the 9th round but broke his right hand in doing so Mar Professor West Sydney, NSW, Aus TK 1 May 17 Frank Allen San Francisco, Ca TK 1 May 29 Billy McCarthy San Francisco, Ca KO 5 Jun 28 Arthur Upham New Orleans, La KO 9 Jul 10 Joe Choynski San Francisco, Ca ND 4 1891 Jan 14 "Nonpareil" Jack Dempsey New Orleans, La KO 13 -Middleweight Championship of the World; Weights: 150 1/2 - 147 1/2 Apr 27 Billy Woods Chicago, Il EX 3 Apr 28 Abe Cougle Chicago, Il (2:00) TK 2 May 1 Harris Martin "Black Pearl" Minneapolis, Mn W 4 Jul 22 Jim Hall Minneapolis, Mn -This bout was scheduled but not held; Authorities prevented it from being held Dec 12 Austin Gibbons Bay St. Louis, La EX 3 1892 Mar 2 Peter Maher New Orleans, La TK 12 Apr 18 Henry Baker Chicago, Il EX Apr Charles Puff Newark, NJ KO Apr Thomas Robbins Newark, NJ TK 3 Apr 30 James Farrell Newark, NJ KO 2 May 1 Fred Woods Philadelphia, Pa EX 3 May 3 Fred Woods Philadelphia, Pa EX 3 May 3 Dick Wiley Philadelphia, Pa EX -Wiley weighed 250 lbs; The previous 2 bouts were held the same date May 4 Billy McLean Philadelphia, Pa SCH -This bout was scheduled; The outcome is not known May 5 Fred Woods Philadelphia, Pa EX 3 May 6 Joe Godfrey Philadelphia, Pa (1:00) KO 1 May 7 Fred Woods Philadelphia, Pa EX 3 May 11 Jerry Slattery New York, NY KO 2 May 12 Jim Brady New York, NY SCH -This bout was scheduled; The outcome is not known May 13 Thomas Knifton New York, NY SCH -This bout was scheduled; The outcome is not known Sep 3 Millard Zender Anniston, Al KO 1 Sep 5 Ted Pritchard New Orleans, La -This bout was tentatively scheduled but not held Dec 10 Jack Fallon Newark, NJ EX -Fitz injured a hand on Fallon's head Dec 17 Frank Bosworth New York, NY EX 3 1892-1893 Tommy Ryan Chicago, Il EX 4 George Siler Chicago, Il EX 1893 Feb 20 Frank Bosworth Bay St. Louis, Ms KO -This bout was held during Feb 20-25 1893 Mar 3 Frank Bosworth Bay St. Louis, Ms EX 5 Mar 8 Jim Hall New Orleans, La (1:00) KO 4 -Middleweight Championship of the World Mar 25 Phil Mayo Chicago, Il KO 2 Mar 31 Jack Warner Baltimore, Md TK 1 -Warner was Middleweight Champion of New Jersey Apr Frank Bosworth Baltimore, Md EX 3 Apr 10 Jack Hockey Philadelphia, Pa EX 3 Apr 10 Frank Bosworth Philadelphia, Pa EX 3 -The previous 2 bouts were held the same date Apr 11 Whitey Connors Philadelphia, Pa -This bout was scheduled but not held; Connors did not show Apr 11 Frank Bosworth Philadelphia, Pa EX 3 Apr 12 Dan Curry Philadelphia, Pa TK 1 Apr 12 Hank Smith Philadelphia, Pa TK 1 -The previous 2 bouts were held the same date Apr 13 Alexander Kilpatrick Philadelphia, Pa TK 3 Apr 14 Jack McGee Philadelphia, Pa Apr 14 Jim Butler Philadelphia, Pa -The previous 2 bouts were scheduled but not held; Both men backed out Apr 14 T.F. McCormick Philadelphia, Pa EX 2 Apr 14 Biddle Philadelphia, Pa EX 2 Apr 14 Frank Bosworth Philadelphia, Pa EX 2 -The previous 3 bouts were held the same date Apr 15 Jack Sheridan Philadelphia, Pa (2:00) TK 1 Apr 15 Frank Bosworth Philadelphia, Pa EX -The previous 2 bouts were held the same date Apr 22 Joe Godfrey Philadelphia, Pa KO 1 Apr 22 Mike Monoghan Philadelphia, Pa TK 1 Apr 22 Alexander Kilpatrick Philadelphia, Pa ND 3 -The previous 3 bouts were held the same date May 6 Mike Brennan Boston, Ma KO 4 -Fitzsimmons knocked down Brennan repeatedly in round 4 May 9 Butler Boston, Ma EX May 29 Al O'Brien Philadelphia, Pa EX 3 May 30 Dan Coner Philadelphia, Pa TK 1 May 31 John McVey Philadelphia, Pa EX 3 Jun 1 Joe Donnelly Philadelphia, Pa -This bout was scheduled but Donnelly backed out Jun 1 John McVey Philadelphia, Pa EX Jun 2 -Fitzsimmons gave an exhibition of hitting the bag; He hit it so hard it burst Jun 2 Dominick McCaffrey New York, NY SCH -This bout was scheduled but cancelled; McCaffrey fell and struck his head in training Jun 3 Tom James Philadelphia, Pa SCH Jun 3 Jack Clinton Philadelphia, Pa SCH Jun 3 Jack McVey Philadelphia, Pa SCH -The previous 3 bouts were scheduled for the same date; The outcomes are not known Sep 4 "Nonpareil" Jack Dempsey New York, NY EX 3 Sep 5 Jack Hickey Newark, NJ (7:00) W 3 Paul Loeser Chicago, Il W 5 Louis the Giant Chicago, Il KO 3 George Dobson Chicago, Il KO 3 Charlie Biehle Chicago, Il KO 5 Wyoming Chicago, Il KO 3 "Big" Bill Collins Chicago, Il KO 2 Paul Loeser Chicago, Il KO 2 an unnamed opponent Chicago, Il KO 1 -The previous 7 bouts were held the same evening; Fitzsimmons knocked out 7 men in 19 rounds; All men were over 200 lbs; The largest was 6-7 240 lbs 1893-1894 Peter Courtney Trenton, NJ EX 4 1894 Jan 26 Jack Handler Newark, NJ EX Feb 15 Tom Dwyer Paterson, NJ EX 3 Feb 17 Dan Creedon New York, NY -This bout was scheduled but cancelled Mar 14 Jack Stelzner St. Louis, Mo EX 4 Mar 21 Jimmy Handler Newark, NJ EX 3 Apr 5 Jim Daly Buffalo, NY -This bout was scheduled but cancelled Jun 17 Joe Choynski Boston, Ma (2:40) D 5 -Police intervened Jul 28 Frank Kellar Buffalo, NY KO 2 -Kellar weighed 185 lbs Aug 16 an unnamed opponent Trenton, NJ EX Sep 4 "Nonpareil" Jack Dempsey New Orleans, La EX Sep Jim Dwyer New Orleans, La EX Sep 26 Dan Creedon New Orleans, La (1:40) KO 2 -Middleweight Championship of the World; Weights: 156 - 157 Sep 29 -Fitzsimmons began a theatrical tour at Paterson, NJ; Exhibitions were probably held Oct 8 -Fitzsimmons began a theatrical tour at Philadelphia, Pa; Exhibitions were probably held; Fitz showed Oct 8-13 1894 Oct 19 Joe Courtney Brooklyn, NY -This bout was scheduled but cancelled Oct -Fitzsimmons began a theatrical tour at New York City, NY; Exhibitions were held; Fitz showed in late Oct 1894 for a week Oct 30 Con Riordan New York, NY SCH -This bout was scheduled; The outcome is not known Nov 3 an unnamed opponent New York, NY SCH -This bout was scheduled; The outcome is not known Nov 16 Con Riordan Syracuse, NY EX 2 -Fitzsimmons knocked Riordan out; Riordan remained unconscious at ringside for two hours; He was finally removed and died later Nov 16 Joe "Stiff" Dunfee Syracuse, NY EX 1 -The previous 2 bouts were held the same date Nov 26 Charles Farrell Philadelphia, Pa EX Nov 27 Charles Farrell Philadelphia, Pa SCH -This bout was scheduled; The outcome is not known Nov 29 Charles Farrell Philadelphia, Pa EX Nov 29 Charles Farrell Philadelphia, Pa EX -The previous 2 bouts were held the same date Dec 1 Charles Farrell Philadelphia, Pa SCH -This bout was scheduled; The outcome is not known Dec 3 Tom McCarthy Cincinnati, Oh EX -Fitzsimmons injured his left hand Dec 25 Tom McCarthy Chicago, Il EX 3 1895 Jan Tom McCarthy Milwaukee, Wi EX -McCarthy quit as sparring partner after this bout; He said Fitz was trying to knock him out Jan 21 -Fitzsimmons appeared in St. Louis, Mo; He gave exhibitions for the week of Jan 21-26 Feb James F. "Doc" Payne Cleveland, Oh EX 3 -This bout was held during Feb 19-26 1895 Mar -Fitzsimmons appeared in Washington, DC; He gave exhibitions for a week Mar 2 John Donnelly Buffalo, NY EX 3 -Fitzsimmons knocked Donnelly out Apr 16 Al Allich New York, NY KO 3 -In round two, Allich adopted foul tactics and Fitz knocked him down; In round three, Allich struck Fitz below the belt and Fitz knocked him out Apr 19 Mike Connors New York, NY KO 1 Jun 8 Frank Bosworth New York, NY EX Aug 2 Tom Forrest Philadelphia, Pa EX 4 Aug 3 an unnamed opponent Philadelphia, Pa SCH Aug 3 an unnamed opponent Philadelphia, Pa SCH -The previous 2 bouts were scheduled; The outcomes are not known Oct 31 Jim Corbett Dallas, Tx SCH -Heavyweight Championship of the World; This bout was scheduled but not held; Negotiations fell through 1896 Feb 21 Peter Maher in Mexico (1:35) KO 1 This bout was promoted as a Heavyweight Championship of the World contest; It was held near Langtry, Tx Feb 29 Peter Maher New York, NY ND 3 Dec 2 "Sailor" Tom Sharkey San Francisco, Ca LF 8 -This bout was promoted as a Heavyweight Championship of the World contest; Fitz knocked Sharkey flat on his back; Referee Wyatt Earp ruled that Fitzsimmons had fouled 1897 Jan 3 Ernest Roeber EX 1 Mar 17 Jim Corbett Carson City, Nv (1:40) KO 14 -Heavyweight Championship of the World; Weights: 167 - 183 Mar 21 Jack Stelzner San Francisco, Ca EX Jun 5 Leadville Blacksmith Leadville, Co KO 2 -Some sources report this man was "Lew Joslin", a 260 lb heayweight John L. Sullivan Brooklyn, NY SCH -This bout was scheduled but not held; The men were present and ready to spar; Police intervened and prevented it Jul an unnamed opponent Mt. Vernon, NY EX Sep 14 Mike Murphy Wilmington, De EX Oct 10 Mike Dempsey Cincinnati, Oh EX -Fitzsimmons knocked Dempsey out Nov 25 Mike Conley Topeka, Ks EX Dec 19 Charles Lawler Chicago, Il EX 1899 Jun 9 Jim Jeffries Brooklyn, NY (1:32) LK 11 -Heavyweight Championship of the World; Weights: 167 - 206 Jun 26 Dan Hickey Brooklyn, NY EX 3 Oct 28 Geoff Thorne Chicago, Il (1:10) KO 1 1900 Mar 27 Jim Daly Philadelphia, Pa KO 1 Apr 30 Ed Dunkhorst Brooklyn, NY (2:45) KO 2 Jul 15 an unnamed opponent Chicago, Il SCH -This bout was scheduled; The outcome is not known Aug 10 Gus Ruhlin New York, NY KO 6 Aug 24 "Sailor" Tom Sharkey> Brooklyn, NY (2:06) KO 2 1901 Jun Gus Ruhlin New York, NY EX -This was a wrestling match; Fitzsimmons lost the first 2 falls to Ruhlin Dec "Sailor" Tom Sharkey New York, NY EX 5 1902 Jul 25 Jim Jeffries San Francisco, Ca LK 8 -Heavyweight Championship of the World; Weights: 172 - 219 -Fitzsimmons toured the western United States with Jim Jeffries; Both men took on all-comers Dec 19 Steward Butte, Mt KO 1 Dec 27 Mike Ranke Bozeman, Mt KO 2 -Ranke weighed 190 lbs 1903 Feb 7 Jim Jeffries St. Louis, Mo EX Feb 12 George Weikel Evansville, In EX 3 Feb 12 Jim Jeffries Evansville, In EX -The previous 2 bouts were held the same date Feb 19 Jim Jeffries Nelsonville, Oh SCH -This bout was scheduled but not held; The mayor threatened to arrest both men Mar 2 Jim Jeffries Philadelphia, Pa EX 3 Mar 3 Jim Jeffries Chester, Pa EX 3 Aug 1 Jim Jeffries Harbin Springs, Ca EX Aug 7 Jim Jeffries Harbin Springs, Ca EX Sep 30 Con Coughlin Philadelphia, Pa KO 1 -Coughlin died the next day Oct 14 Joe Grim Philadelphia, Pa ND 6 -Fitzsimmons knocked Grim down 15-20 times Nov 25 George Gardner San Francisco, Ca W 20 -Light Heavyweight Championship of the World; Weights: 168 - 170 1904 Jul 23 "Philadelphia" Jack O'Brien Philadelphia, Pa ND 6 1905 Dec 20 "Philadelphia" Jack O'Brien San Francisco, Ca LT 13 -Light Heavyweight Championship of the World; Weights: 165 - 164 1906 Jan 31 Charles Haghey Webster, Ma KO 4 1907 Mar 7 Tony Ross Newcastle, Pa EX 4 Jul 17 Jack Johnson Philadelphia, Pa LK 2 1908 Sep 21 Jean Paul Benson Mines, NY KO 1 -Reports are confusing; This bout possibly lasted longer Sep 21 Ralph Barter Benson Mines, NY EX 3 Sep 26 Jean Paul Watertown, NY EX 3 Sep 26 Ralph Barter Watertown, NY EX 3 1909 William "Iron" Hague in England EX Dec Peter Felix in Australia EX 1 Dec Dave Smith in Australia EX 1 Dec Bill Turner in Australia EX 1 Dec Victor McLaglen in Australia EX 1 Dec 27 Bill Lang Sydney, NSW, Aus LK 12 -Heavyweight Championship of Australia 1913 Dec 24 -Fitszsimmons contracted to fight Alfred "Soldier" Kearns in New York, NY Dec 30 -The New York Athletic Commission prohibited Fitzsimmons from fighting in New York; Fitzsimmons sued the Comission 1914 Jan 27 -The New York Supreme Court upheld the New York Athletic Commission's decision barring Fitz from fighting in New York Jan 29 Bob "K.O." Sweeney Williamsport, Pa ND 6 -The Elmira (NY) Herald reports motion pictures were taken Feb 20 Jersey Bellew Bethlehem, Pa ND 6 Mar 2 Kid Wagner Easton, Pa -This bout was scheduled but not held; Fitzsimmons did not show 1916 Mar 27 "Young" Bob Fitzsimmons Troy, NY EX 4
Master Index
The CyberboxingZone Journal Article on Fitzsimmons (June 1999)
The CyberboxingZone Journal Article on Pound-for-Pound (August 1998)
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