Robert James "Bob" Fitzsimmons (May 26, 1863 - October 22, 1917) was a Cornish native and moved to New Zealand in his childhood. Representing New Zealand, he made boxing history by being boxing's first three-division world champion ever. He is also famous for being the man who beat Gentleman Jim Corbett, the man who beat the great John L. Sullivan. Had he not jumped from Middleweight to Heavyweight before reigning at Light-Heavyweight, he might have also been considered the first Light-Heavyweight world champion to win the Heavyweight crown. May 26 is the 146th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (147th in leap years). ... 1863 is a common year starting on Thursday. ... October 22 is the 295th day of the year (296th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 70 days remaining. ... 1917 (MCMXVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar (see link for calendar) or a common year starting on Tuesday of the Julian calendar. ... The Cornish are a Celtic ethnic group primarily found in Cornwall. ... Joe Louis and Rocky Marciano at Madison Square Garden, 1951 Julio Cesar Chavez and Ivan Robinson at the Staples Centre, Los Angeles, 2005 Amir Khan of Britain and Mario Cesar Kindelan Mesa of Cuba at the Athens Olympics, 2004 Boxing, nicknamed the sweet science and also called pugilism or prizefighting... James John Corbett, born September 1, 1866 in San Francisco, California, United States – died February 18, 1933 in Bayside, New York, was a heavyweight boxing champion. ... For the U.S. Secretary of the Navy, see John L. Sullivan (U.S. Navy). ...

Fitzsimmons was born in Helston, Cornwall, UK and came to New Zealand at the age of nine along with his parents, brothers and sisters. His family settled in Timaru and Bob became a blacksmith in his brother Jarrett's blacksmith shop. This image has been released into the public domain by the copyright holder, its copyright has expired, or it is ineligible for copyright. ... Location within the British Isles Helston (Cornish: Hellys or Henlys) is a small town in Cornwall, UK, at the northern end of the Lizard Peninsula. ... Motto: Onan hag oll (Cornish: One and all) Cornwall, England Geography Status Ceremonial and (smaller) Non-metropolitan county Region South West England Population - Total (2004 est. ... Categories: New Zealand geography stubs | Canterbury, New Zealand | Cities and towns in New Zealand ... Blacksmith Blacksmith at work Blacksmith at work Blacksmiths fire Hot metal work from a blacksmith A blacksmith is man or woman designing, making and hot shaping metal products, such as wrought iron gates, grills, railings, light fixtures, furniture, sculpture, tools, decorative and religious items, cooking utensils and weapons. ...

Between 1880 and 1881, Fitzsimmons was the champion of the Jem Mace tournament in New Zealand. It is in New Zealand that some say he officially began his career as a professional boxer later in 1881. In a bout that is not clear whether he was paid for or not, he knocked out Herbert Slade in two rounds. 1880 was a leap year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ... 1881 was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ... Jem Mace 1831-1910, born in Beeston, Norfolk, on April 8,1831, died Durham, buried in Liverpool was a British boxer. ...

Fitzsimmons had six fights there, two of them bare-knuckle events. He won five and lost one, it is unclear whether any of those bouts were for money or not.

Boxing record books show that Fitzsimmons officially began boxing professionally in 1883, in Australia. He beat Jim Crawford by a knockout in three there. Fitzsimmons had his first 28 fights in Australia, where he lost for the Australian Middleweight title in a bout that was rumored to have been fixed, and where he also won a fight by knockout while on the floor: When Edward Starlight Robins dropped Fitzsimmons to the canvas in round nine of their fight, he also broke his hand and could not continue, therefore, Fitzsimmons was declared winner by knockout. 1883 was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ... Jim Crawford may refer to one of several individuals: James Walker Crawford, Jr. ... Knockout (K.O.), or simply knock, is a winning criterion of many ring sports, such as boxing, kickboxing, Muay Thai and others. ...

By this stage Fitzsimmons had established his own style. He developed a certain movement and cageyness from the old prize-fighter Jem Mace, but was never a stylish boxer. Mace had, however, encouraged Bob to develop his punching technique and he revoloutionised this, drawing on the enormous power he had gained from black-smithing. Where other boxers of the time threw wide "round-house" punches, Fitzsimmons' punches were short, accurate and usually conclusive. He soon built up a reputation as by far the hardest puncher in boxing.

Moving on to the United States, Fitzsimmons fought four more times in 1890, winning three and drawing one. 1890 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ...

Then, on January 14 of 1891, in New Orleans, he received his first world title try, against Jack (Nonpareil) Dempsey. He knocked out Dempsey (from whom the latter Jack Dempsey would take his name) in the 13th round to become the world's Middleweight champion. Dempsey was knocked down at least 13 times and by the finish was in such a pitiable condition that Fitzsimmons begged him to quit. He would not do so, so Fitzsimmons knocked him out and then carried him to his corner. On July 22, his fight with Jim Hall was broken off by police, after Hall had been knocked down several times. January 14 is the 14th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1891 was a common year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ... New Orleans is the largest city in the state of Louisiana, United States of America. ... This article is about middleweight boxing champion Jack (Nonpareil) Dempsey, not to be confused with the heavyweight champion by the same name. ... This article is about the boxer named Jack Dempsey. ... 22 July is the 203rd day (204th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 162 days remaining. ...

Fitzsimmons spent the next two years fighting non-title bouts and exhibitions until giving Hall a chance at the title in 1893. He retained the crown by a knockout in round four. He spent the rest of that year doing exhibitions, and on June 2, he was supposed to have a two way exhibition where he would demonstrate in public how to hit the boxing bag and then how to box against a real opponent. Reportedly, two freak accidents happened that day, when Fitzsimmons hit the bag so hard it broke, and then his opponent of that day allegedly slipped, getting hit in the head and the boxing exhibition cancelled. 1893 was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ... 2 June is the 153rd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (154th in leap years), with 212 days remaining. ...

After vacating the Middleweight crown, Fitzsimmons began campaigning among Heavyweights, who usually outweighhed him by large amounts. One of his fights, against Tom Sharkey, was refereed by none other than Wyatt Earp, the famous cowboy. Fitzsimmons battered Sharkey and had him on the verge of a knock-out but when he hit him with a body and head punch combination he was declared loser on a disqualification because he hit Sharkey while Sharkey was down. Earp was widely believed to have been involved with gamblers that had bet on Sharkey. Sailor Tom Sharkey (b. ... Wyatt Berry Stapp Earp (March 19, 1848–January 13, 1929), was a sometime buffalo hunter, officer of the law, gambler, and saloon-keeper in the Wild West and the U.S. mining frontier from California to Alaska. ...

Nevertheless, Fitzsimmons was able to challenge for the world's Heavyweight title in 1897. On March 17 of that year, he became World Heavyweight champion, knocking out Jim Corbett in round 14. This was a remarkable achievement as Corbett was a stone (14 lb) heavier than Fitzsimmons and a skilled boxer. He out-boxed Fitzsimmons for several rounds and badly damaged his face with his jab but Fitzsimmons kept coming and Corbett began to tire. After not enjoying the 12th and 13th rounds Corbett reached out with a right to Fitzsimmons' head in the 14th, he immediately pivoted on his heel and hit Corbett as hard as he could in the middle of his stomach, between the rib-cage. Corbett collapsed in agony. Fitzsimmons' "Solar Plexus" punch became legendary, although it is doubtful he ever used the phrase. 1897 was a common year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ... March 17 is the 76th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (77th in Leap years). ... This is a chronological list of world heavyweight boxing champions, as recognized by the following organizations: The World Boxing Association (WBA), founded in 1921 as the National Boxing Association (NBA), The World Boxing Council (WBC), founded in 1963, The International Boxing Federation (IBF), founded in 1983, The World Boxing Organization... James John Corbett, born September 1, 1866 in San Francisco, California, United States – died February 18, 1933 in Bayside, New York, was a heavyweight boxing champion. ...

He spent the rest of the year doing exhibitions, and in 1898, his only activity of note was a bout that was supposed to happen against former world champion John L. Sullivan. That fight never happened, however, because boxing was outlawed in New York at the time, and that would have been the fight's host city, but the police prevented it from happening. 1898 was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ... For the U.S. Secretary of the Navy, see John L. Sullivan (U.S. Navy). ... State nickname: The Empire State Official languages English Capital Albany Largest city New York City Governor George Pataki (R) Senators Charles Schumer (D) Hillary Clinton (D) Area  - Total  - % water Ranked 27th 141,205 km² 13. ...

In 1899, Fitzsimmons and James J. Jeffries were able to box in New York without the police intervening, probably at an under-ground club. Most people thought Jeffries had no chance, even though at 15 st (95 kg) he was massively the bigger man, but he lifted the world Heavyweight crown from Fitzsimmons with an 11 round knockout. 1899 was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ... James Jackson Jeffries (The Boilermaker) (born April 15, 1875 in Carroll, Ohio, United States – died March 3, 1953 in Burbank, California) was a world heavyweight boxing champion. ...

In June of 1901 he was involved in a wrestling match with Gus Ruhlin. He lost and went back to boxing. He then enjoyed legitimate (boxing) knock-outs of both Ruhlin and Sharkey. June is the sixth month of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with a length of 30 days The month is named after the Roman goddess Juno, wife of Jupiter and equivalent to the Greek goddess Hera. ... 1901 (MCMI) was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ... The sport of wrestling involves clinch and/or ground fighting, and has ancient roots. ...

In 1902, he and Jeffries had a rematch, once again with the world Heavyweight crown at stake. Attempting to become the first boxer ever to regain the world's Heavyweight crown, Fitzsimmons battered Jefferies who suffered horrible punishment. With his nose and cheek-bones broken, most would have sympathised with Jeffries had he quit, but he kept going until his enormous weight advantage told and Bob suffered a knockout in round eight. 1902 (MCMII) was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ...

September of 1903 was a tragic month for Fitzsimmons as his rival, Con Coughlin, died the day after suffering a one round knockout at the hands of Fitzsimmons. But less than two months later, Fitzsimmons made history by defeating world Light-Heavyweight champion George Gardner by a decision in 20 rounds to become the first member of the exclusive club of boxing world champions in three or more divisions. September is the ninth month of the year in the Gregorian Calendar and one of four Gregorian months with 30 days. ... 1903 (MCMIII) was a common year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ...

Soon after, he went back to the Heavyweights, where he kept fighting until 1914, with mixed results. He boxed Jack Johnson, and his fight with Bob KO Sweeney is believed to be the first boxing fight in history to be captured on film. 1914 (MCMXIV) is a common year starting on Thursday. ... John Arthur Johnson (March 31, 1878 - June 10, 1946), better known as Jack Johnson and nicknamed the Galveston Giant, was an American boxer and arguably the best heavyweight of his generation. ... Boxer John Kraynak (December 15, 1894, Plymouth, Pennsylvania _ June 14, 1961, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, USA) used the name Bob KO Sweeney because it was a more Irish-sounding name that would result in a bigger draw for his fights. ...

It should be clarified that, despite the fact that Fitzsimmons was a world champion in the Middleweight, Light Heavyweight and Heavyweight divisions, he is not considered by historians to be the first world Light Heavyweight champion to become world Heavyweight champion, because he won the Heavyweight title before winning the Light Heavyweight belt. Michael Spinks is considered to be the first Light Heavyweight world champion to win the Heavyweight belt as well. Roy Jones Jr. recently joined Fitzsimmons, Michael Moorer and Spinks in being the only men to have won world championships at both Light Heavyweight and Heavyweight. Michael Spinks (born July 13, 1956), a native of St. ... Roy Jones Jr. ... Michael Moorer - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia /**/ @import /skins-1. ...

His exact record is unknown, as boxing records were poorly kept during his era, but Fitzsimmons was quoted as saying he had more than 350 fights, which could have been an exaggeration from his part.

He died in Chicago of pneumonia in 1917 and was buried there in the Graceland Cemetery. Chicago (officially named the City of Chicago) is the third largest city in the United States (after New York City and Los Angeles), with an official population of 2,896,016, as of the 2000 census. ... Pneumonia is an illness of the lungs and respiratory system in which the microscopic, air-filled sacs (alveoli) responsible for absorbing oxygen from the atmosphere become inflamed and flooded with fluid. ... Graceland Cemetery is a large Victorian-era cemetery located in the North Side neighborhood of Lakeview, in the city of Chicago, Illinois. ...

He is a member of the International Boxing Hall of Fame. The modern International Boxing Hall of Fame is located in Canastota, New York, United States, within driving distance from the Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown and the National Soccer Hall of Fame in Oneonta. ...

In 2003, Fitzsimmons was named number eight of all time among boxing's best punchers by Ring Magazine. 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Front cover of the first issue of Ring Magazine Ring Magazine is a boxing magazine that was first published in 1922. ...

External link

http://www.fitzsimmons.co.nz/main.html