The best punch trackers on the market
30th September 2020
By: Noah Abrahams
Boxing’s first three-division champion, Englishman Bob Fitzsimmons also holds the world record as the lightest heavyweight champion in history at 165 pounds!
Ranked by the Ring Magazine as the eighth greatest puncher of all time, Fitzsimmons competed between 1885 and 1914.
Most famous for stopping America’s James J. Corbett (the only man to beat the legendary John L. Sullivan), ‘Ruby Robert’ began adult life as a blacksmith in the family business.
Fighting off drunk and aggressive customers, the warrior within Fitzsimmons first began to emerge when dealing with difficulties at work. The business would boom with people flocking in the hope of watching a tussle.
Competing as an amateur, it was in New Zealand where ‘The Fighting Blacksmith’ first tasted success. Bare-knuckle legend Jem Mace hosted a boxing championship and Fitzsimmons won it!
CHECK OUT THE BEST PUNCH TRACKERS ON THE MARKET
The record books show that ‘The Freckled Wonder’ then moved and began professionally fighting in Australia – the location of his first 28 bouts. Developing his unique style, Fitzsimmons threw short, accurate, and even conclusive punches. The Englishman once famously won by knockout from the canvas. Opponent Edward Starlight Robins broke his hand and was deemed unable to continue by the referee, who subsequently handed ‘Ruby Robert’ the victory.
A man of the world, it was across the Pond in America where Fitzsimons won his first world title. Moving to the States after his stint in Australia, the former blacksmith became the middleweight champion in January 1891. Knocking out Irishman Jack Dempsey in New Orleans, the title was won following a dominant display in the 13th round – Dempsey in a pitiable condition.
Nowadays, a referee would step in and prevent the damage that Fitzsimmons caused to opponents through his unbelievable power. Acquitted for manslaughter after fatally knocking out sparring partner Con Riordan, it was said that the Brit could hit a punching bag so hard that it would split.
The late 19th Century was a transition period for Fitzsimmons and the world surrounding him. In 1896, the Cornwall-born boxer challenged Ireland’s Peter Maher for the world heavyweight title. Conquering his second weight division aged 33, Fitzsimmons beat Maher in Texas and later confirmed his status by beating Jim Corbett under a year later in Nevada in round 14 of their fight.
Despite being out-boxed and knocked down by a heavier Corbett, Fitzsimmons tired his opponent and won the title with his famous ‘solar plexus’ punch. The Corbett-Fitzsimmons contest was filmed and released to cinemas all around the USA. The movie quickly established itself as the longest film ever released at the time.
No champion remains a champion forever. After losing the world heavyweight title to James J. Jeffries in New York in 1899, ‘The Freckled Wonder’ turned his attention to wrestling. Defeated in his first and only match to Gus Ruhlin, in 1901 boxing was back on the table.
THE BOXING GAME YOU HAVE ALL BEEN WAITING FOR!
Publishing a book on physical culture and self-defense to see out the year, it was in 1902 that Fitzsimmons broke Jeffries cheekbones and nose in a re-match between the two. However, despite taking a savage beating, the youthful American played on age and did the double over his elder opponent in the eighth round.
Making history in November 1903, Fitzsimmons bounced back and defeated world light heavyweight champion George Gardine. An ordinary man from the South of England became the first boxer ever to win titles in three weight divisions – an even more extraordinary feat when at the time, there was only 8 weight divisions. Fitzsimmons continued his boxing journey for another 11 years and finally retired just five months before the beginning of World War One.
Arguably the most impressive of rival boxers that Fitzsimmons took on in his career was the first African American world heavyweight boxing champion, Jack Johnson, to whom he lost.
Fitzsimmons was the first middleweight champion to win the heavyweight title and the only heavyweight champion to drop down and win the light heavyweight title. Only Henry Armstrong joins Fitzsimmons in winning undisputed world championships in three different weight classes.
Passing away aged just 54 in 1917, Fitzsimmons, who in New Zealand has been honored with a statue, claimed that he competed in more than 350 bouts.
Fighting away from his homeland on 73 occasions, Fitzsimmons died with a 61-8-4 record.
Remembered as one of the greatest pugilists to have ever lived, Boxing Guru pay tribute to one of our boxing icons.
Further Reading:
WHEN ALI WAS BANNED FROM BOXING AND SENTENCED TO JAIL
WATCH MIKE TYSON MOVIE SNEAK PEEK!
THE GREATEST HEAVYWEIGHT KNOCKOUT ARTISTS!
CHECK OUT THE BEST PUNCH TRACKERS ON THE MARKET
NEW WEIGHTCLASS TALKS LET BY WBC AND BELLEW!
THE MAN WHO NEARLY KO’D FLOYD MAYWEATHER!
WHICH FIGHTERS HAVE THE BEST DEFENSE EVER?
THE P4P STAR WHO WAS SHOT IN THE HEAD!
CHECK OUT THE ROY JONES JR VS MIKE TYSON OFFICIAL PROMO!
