Bob Fitzsimmons
| Bob Fitzsimmons | |
|---|---|
Fitzsimmons in 1891.
|
|
| Statistics | |
| Real name | Robert James Fitzsimmons |
| Nickname(s) | Ruby The Freckled Wonder Cornishman |
| Rated at |
Middleweight Light Heavyweight Heavyweight |
| Height | 5 ft 11 1⁄2 in (1.82 m) |
| Reach | 71.5 in (182 cm) |
| Nationality | British |
| Born |
26 May 1863 Helston, Cornwall, UK |
| Died | 22 October 1917 (aged 54) Chicago, Illinois, US |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Boxing record | |
| Total fights | 99 |
| Wins | 68 |
| Wins by KO | 59 |
| Losses | 8 |
| Draws | 4 |
| No contests | 19 |
Robert James "Bob" Fitzsimmons (26 May 1863 – 22 October 1917) was a British professional boxer who made boxing history as the sport's first three-division world champion. He also achieved fame for beating Gentleman Jim Corbett, (the man who beat John L. Sullivan), and he is in The Guinness Book of World Records as the lightest heavyweight champion. Nicknamed "Ruby Robert" and "The Freckled Wonder", he took pride in his lack of scars and appeared in the ring wearing heavy woollen underwear to conceal the disparity between his trunk and leg-development. He was also known for his pure fighting skills due to dislike of training for fights, which cost him at times in his career.
Considered one of the hardest punchers in boxing history, Fitzsimmons is ranked as No. 8 on Ring Magazine's list of 100 greatest punchers of all time.
Fitzsimmons, the youngest of 12 children, was born in Helston, Cornwall. His father was James Fitzsimmons, an Irishman born in County Armagh and his British mother was Jane Strongman, born in St Clement, Cornwall.
Bob emigrated to New Zealand at the age of nine along with his parents, brothers and sisters. His family settled in Timaru, among many other British settlers, and Bob became a blacksmith in his brother Jarrett's smithy. He was a practising blacksmith most of his life [The Village Blacksmith written by Roland Webber]
Between 1880 and 1881, Fitzsimmons reigned as champion of the Jem Mace tournament in New Zealand. Some say he officially began his career as a professional boxer in New Zealand later in 1881. Records remain unclear whether he received payment for a bout in which he knocked out Herbert Slade in two rounds.
Fitzsimmons had six fights in New Zealand, two of them bare-knuckle events. He won one and lost five. It remains unclear whether any of those bouts involved payment.
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Wikipedia