Bob Fitzsimmons facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Robert Fitzsimmons
Fitzsimmons in 1891
Statistics
Real name	Robert James Fitzsimmons
Nickname(s)	Bob Ruby Rob The Freckled Wonder The Fighting Blacksmith
Rated at	Middleweight Light-heavyweight Heavyweight
Height	5 ft 11+1/2 in
Reach	71+1/2 in
Born	(1863-05-26)26 May 1863 Helston, Cornwall, England
Died	22 October 1917(1917-10-22) (aged 54) Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Stance	Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights	125
Wins	89
Wins by KO	79
Losses	12
Draws	14
No contests	9

Robert James "Bob" Fitzsimmons (born May 26, 1863 – died October 22, 1917) was a famous British professional boxer. He was the first boxer ever to win world titles in three different weight classes! He was also known for beating Gentleman Jim Corbett, who had previously defeated the legendary John L. Sullivan.

Bob Fitzsimmons holds a special place in The Guinness Book of World Records as the lightest heavyweight champion. He weighed only 165 pounds when he won that title. People called him Ruby Robert and The Freckled Wonder. He was proud of not having many scars. He even wore special thick underwear in the ring. This was to hide how much bigger his upper body was compared to his legs.

Many boxing experts believe Fitzsimmons was one of the strongest punchers in boxing history. The Ring magazine, a famous boxing publication, ranks him as the 8th greatest puncher of all time.

Growing Up: Bob Fitzsimmons' Early Life

The birthplace of Bob Fitzsimmons in Helston, Cornwall

Robert James Fitzsimmons was born in Helston, Cornwall, England, on May 26, 1863. He was the youngest of twelve children. His parents had moved from Ireland to Cornwall. His father worked as a policeman there. Bob went to a local school in Helston.

In 1873, when Bob was ten, his family moved again. They sailed on a ship called the Adamant for 93 days. Their destination was Lyttelton, New Zealand. They settled in Timaru, a town with many people from Cornwall. Bob's father opened a blacksmith's shop there.

After finishing school, Bob tried many jobs. He worked as a butcher's delivery boy and a carriage painter. He also worked at an iron factory. Eventually, he became an apprentice at his family's blacksmith shop. Working as a blacksmith made his arms and shoulders incredibly strong. This strength would later help him in boxing.

Bob's First Fights: Amateur Boxing

In the early 1880s, a famous English boxer named Jem Mace visited New Zealand. Mace taught boxing and held the first boxing championships in New Zealand. Bob Fitzsimmons joined the tournament. He knocked out four opponents to win the competition! He won his title again in the next championship.

Some stories say Bob beat a professional heavyweight boxer named Herbert Slade. However, Slade was thought to be undefeated at that time. It's possible Bob actually fought Slade's brother. After these tournaments, Bob had at least six more fights in New Zealand. Some were bare-knuckle fights. It's not clear if he was paid for these early matches.

Becoming a Professional Boxer

Bob Fitzsimmons officially started his professional boxing career in Australia in 1883. His first big win there was against Jim Crawford. He knocked Crawford out in just three rounds. Bob had his first 28 professional fights in Australia.

He lost the Australian middleweight title to Mick Dooley. Some people thought this fight might have been fixed. In another fight, Bob won by knockout while he was on the floor! Edward Starlight Robins knocked Bob down in the ninth round. But Robins also broke his hand and couldn't continue. So, the referee said Bob won by knockout.

Bob developed his own unique boxing style. He learned clever movements from Jem Mace. Mace also encouraged Bob to use his blacksmithing strength in his punches. Bob threw short, accurate, and powerful punches. He quickly became known as the hardest puncher in boxing.

Winning the Middleweight Title

Bob moved to the United States in 1890. He fought four more times that year, winning three and drawing one.

Fitzsimmons knocks down Dempsey in New Orleans, 1891.

On January 14, 1891, in New Orleans, Bob won his first world title. He fought Jack (Nonpareil) Dempsey. This Dempsey is not the later famous boxer, but the one who gave his name to him. Bob knocked Dempsey out in the 13th round. He became the World Middleweight Champion! Bob knocked Dempsey down many times. Dempsey was in such bad shape that Bob begged him to stop. When Dempsey refused, Bob knocked him out. Then, Bob even carried him to his corner.

Bob spent the next two years fighting non-title matches. In 1893, he gave Jim Hall a chance to win his title. Bob kept his crown by knocking Hall out in the fourth round. He spent the rest of that year doing exhibition fights.

The Heavyweight Challenge

After giving up his Middleweight title, Bob started fighting in the heavyweight division. The light heavyweight division didn't exist yet. On December 2, 1896, Bob fought Tom Sharkey in San Francisco. They couldn't find a referee, so they asked Wyatt Earp to do it. Earp was a famous lawman.

Bob was taller and faster than Sharkey. He controlled the fight from the start. In the eighth round, Bob hit Sharkey with his famous "solar plexus punch." This was an uppercut under the heart that could make a person helpless for a moment. Earp stopped the fight. He said Bob hit Sharkey with a low blow. Most people disagreed with Earp's decision. Sharkey was carried out of the ring, looking very weak.

Becoming World Heavyweight Champion

March 1897 Fitzsimmons–Corbett boxing match

In 1896, Bob won a version of the World Heavyweight Championship. This was in a fight against Peter Maher in Texas. Then, on March 17, 1897, in Carson City, Nevada, he fought Jim Corbett. Corbett was seen as the true World Heavyweight Champion. He had beaten John L. Sullivan in 1892.

This was an amazing win for Bob. Jim Corbett was a very skilled boxer. He also weighed 17 pounds more than Bob! Corbett out-boxed Bob for several rounds. He even knocked Bob down in the sixth round. Corbett hit Bob's face hard. But Bob kept fighting. Corbett started to get tired. In the 14th round, Bob won the title with his "solar plexus" punch. Corbett fell down in pain. Bob's "solar plexus" punch became very famous.

The entire fight was filmed by Enoch J. Rector. It was released in cinemas as The Corbett-Fitzsimmons Fight. This was the longest film ever made at that time!

In 1899, Bob fought James J. Jeffries. Jeffries was much younger and weighed a lot more than Bob. Most people thought Jeffries had little chance. But Jeffries won the World Heavyweight Championship. He knocked Bob out in the 11th round.

In 1902, Bob and Jeffries had a rematch for the World Heavyweight title. Bob hit Jeffries very hard. Jeffries' nose and cheekbones were broken. Most people would have quit. But Jeffries kept fighting. His great strength and youth eventually wore Bob down. Jeffries knocked Bob out in the eighth round.

Making History: Light Heavyweight Champion

In November 1903, Bob Fitzsimmons made history again. He beat the World Light Heavyweight Champion, George Gardiner. Bob won by decision after 20 rounds. This made him the first boxer to win world titles in three different weight classes!

After this, he went back to fighting as a heavyweight. He continued boxing until 1914. In 1907, when he was 44 years old, Bob fought a much younger boxer named Jack Johnson. Johnson won by knockout in the second round.

Bob's Retirement and Records

Bob Fitzsimmons became a world champion in the Middleweight, Light Heavyweight, and Heavyweight divisions. He was the first Middleweight Champion to win the Heavyweight title. He was also the only Heavyweight Champion to then win the Light Heavyweight title. Bob and Henry Armstrong are the only two boxers to win undisputed world championships in three different weight classes.

Bob Fitzsimmons' exact boxing record is hard to know. Boxing records were not kept very well in his time. He said he had over 350 fights. This might include his many exhibition matches, which are not official fights.

Life After Boxing and Legacy

Bob Fitzsimmons passed away from pneumonia on October 22, 1917, in Chicago. He was survived by his fourth wife. He is buried in Graceland Cemetery in Chicago. Even though he made a lot of money, he didn't keep it. He had four wives, a gambling habit, and was sometimes tricked by dishonest people.

A statue called Peace on the Dewey Arch was modeled after Bob Fitzsimmons. This was done by the sculptor Daniel Chester French. There is also a statue of Bob in the city center of Timaru, New Zealand. It was put there in 1987.

The International Boxing Hall of Fame has made Bob Fitzsimmons a member. This is a special honor for great boxers. In 2003, The Ring magazine named Bob Fitzsimmons the eighth best puncher of all time.

Professional Boxing Record

All Newspaper decisions are regarded as “no decision” bouts as they have “resulted in neither boxer winning or losing, and would therefore not count as part of their official fight record."

No.	Result	Record	Opponent	Type	Round, time	Date	Location	Notes
101	Win	61–8–4 (28)	Jersey Bellew	NWS	6	20 Feb 1914	Municipal Hall, South Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, U.S.
100	Win	61–8–4 (27)	Dan Sweeney	NWS	6	29 Jan 1914	Athletic Club, Williamsport, Pennsylvania, U.S.
99	Loss	61–8–4 (26)	Bill Lang	KO	12 (20)	27 Dec 1909	Sydney Stadium, Sydney, Australia	For Australian heavyweight title
98	Loss	61–7–4 (26)	Jack Johnson	KO	2 (6)	17 Jul 1907	Washington Sports Club, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
97	Win	61–6–4 (26)	Charlie Haghey	KO	4 (6)	31 Jan 1906	Webster, Massachusetts, U.S.
96	Loss	60–6–4 (26)	Philadelphia Jack O'Brien	RTD	13 (20)	20 Dec 1905	Mechanic's Pavilion, San Francisco, California, U.S.	Lost world light-heavyweight title
95	Win	60–5–4 (26)	Philadelphia Jack O'Brien	NWS	6	23 Jul 1904	Baker Bowl, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
94	Win	60–5–4 (25)	George Gardiner	PTS	20	25 Nov 1903	Mechanic's Pavilion, San Francisco, California, U.S.	Won world light-heavyweight title
93	Win	59–5–4 (25)	Joe Grim	NWS	6	14 Oct 1903	Southern Athletic Club, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
92	Win	59–5–4 (24)	Con Coughlin	TKO	1 (6), 2:52	30 Sep 1903	Washington Sporting Club, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
91	Win	58–5–4 (24)	Mike Ranke	KO	2 (4), 0:15	27 Dec 1902	Bozeman, Montana, U.S.
90	Win	57–5–4 (24)	Steward	KO	1 (4)	19 Dec 1902	Butte, Montana, U.S.
89	Loss	56–5–4 (24)	James J. Jeffries	KO	8 (20)	25 Jul 1902	San Francisco Athletic Club, San Francisco, California, U.S.	For world heavyweight title
88	Win	56–4–4 (24)	Tom Sharkey	KO	2 (25), 2:06	24 Aug 1900	Coney Island Athletic Club, Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
87	Win	55–4–4 (24)	Gus Ruhlin	KO	6 (25), 2:10	10 Aug 1900	Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
86	Win	54–4–4 (24)	Ed Dunkhorst	KO	2 (25), 2:25	30 Apr 1900	Hercules Athletic Club, Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
85	Win	53–4–4 (24)	Jim Daly	TKO	1 (6)	27 Mar 1900	First Regiment Armory, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
84	Win	52–4–4 (24)	Geoff Thorne	KO	1 (6)	28 Oct 1899	Tattersalls, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
83	Loss	51–4–4 (24)	James J. Jeffries	KO	11 (20), 1:32	9 Jun 1899	Coney Island Athletic Club, Brooklyn, New York, U.S.	Lost world heavyweight title
82	Win	51–3–4 (24)	Lew Joslin	KO	2 (4)	5 Jun 1897	Leadville, Colorado, U.S.
81	Win	50–3–4 (24)	James J. Corbett	KO	14	17 Mar 1897	The Race Track Arena, Carson City, Nevada, U.S.	Won world heavyweight title
80	Loss	49–3–4 (24)	Tom Sharkey	DQ	8 (10)	2 Dec 1896	Mechanic's Pavilion, San Francisco, California U.S.
79	Win	49–2–4 (24)	Peter Maher	KO	1 (?), 1:35	21 Feb 1896	Coahuila de Zaragoza, Mexico
78	Win	48–2–4 (24)	Mike Connors	KO	1 (4)	19 Apr 1895	New York City, New York, U.S.
77	Win	47–2–4 (24)	Al Allich	KO	3 (4)	16 Apr 1895	New York City, New York, U.S.
76	Win	46–2–4 (24)	Dan Creedon	KO	2 (25), 1:40	26 Sep 1894	Olympic Club, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.	Retained world middleweight title
75	Win	45–2–4 (24)	Frank Kellar	KO	2 (4)	28 Jul 1894	Buffalo Driving Park, Buffalo, New York, U.S.
74	Draw	44–2–4 (24)	Joe Choynski	PTS	5 (8)	18 Jun 1894	The Boston Theatre, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
73	Win	44–2–3 (24)	Jack Hickey	TKO	3 (4)	5 Sep 1893	Caledonian Park, Newark, New Jersey, U.S.
72	Win	43–2–3 (24)	Dan Coner	KO	1 (4)	30 May 1893	Philadelphia Athletic Club, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
71	Win	42–2–3 (24)	Mike Brennan	KO	4 (4)	6 May 1893	Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
70	Win	41–2–3 (24)	Joe Godfrey	KO	1 (4)	21 Apr 1893	Academy of Music, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
69	Win	40–2–3 (24)	Mike Monoghan	KO	1 (4)	21 Apr 1893	Academy of Music, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
68	Win	39–2–3 (24)	Alexander Kilpatrick	KO	4 (4)	21 Apr 1893	Academy of Music, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
67	Win	38–2–3 (24)	Jack Sheridan	TKO	1 (4)	15 Apr 1893	Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
66	Win	37–2–3 (24)	Dan Curry	KO	2 (4)	12 Apr 1893	Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
65	Win	36–2–3 (24)	Hank Smith	KO	1 (4)	12 Apr 1893	Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
64	Win	35–2–3 (24)	Alexander Kilpatrick	KO	3 (4)	12 Apr 1893	Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
63	Win	34–2–3 (24)	Jack Warner	TKO	1 (4)	31 Mar 1893	Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
62	Win	33–2–3 (24)	Phil Mayo	KO	2 (4)	25 Mar 1893	2nd Regiment Armory, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
61	Draw	32–2–3 (24)	Dan Bayliff	PTS	4	15 Mar 1893	Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S.
60	Win	32–2–2 (24)	Jim Hall	KO	4	8 Mar 1893	Crescent City Club, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.	Retained world middleweight title
59	Win	31–2–2 (24)	Jack Britton	RTD	2 (4)	10 Dec 1892	Newark, New Jersey, U.S.
58	Win	30–2–2 (24)	Millard Zender	KO	1 (4)	3 Sep 1892	Anniston, Alabama, U.S.
57	Win	29–2–2 (24)	Jerry Slattery	KO	2 (4)	11 May 1892	Miners 8th St Theater, New York City, New York, U.S.
56	Win	28–2–2 (24)	Joe Godfrey	RTD	2 (4)	6 May 1892	Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
55	Win	27–2–2 (24)	James Farrell	KO	2 (4)	29 Apr 1892	Newark, New Jersey, U.S.
54	Win	26–2–2 (24)	Thomas Robbins	RTD	3 (4)	28 Apr 1892	Newark, New Jersey, U.S.
53	Win	25–2–2 (24)	Tom Burns	RTD	3 (4)	28 Apr 1892	Newark, New Jersey, U.S.
52	Win	24–2–2 (24)	James Malone	RTD	2 (4)	27 Apr 1892	Newark, New Jersey, U.S.
51	Win	23–2–2 (24)	Charles Puff	KO	2 (4)	26 Apr 1892	Newark, New Jersey, U.S.
50	Win	22–2–2 (24)	Peter Maher	RTD	12	2 Mar 1892	Olympic Club, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
49	NC	21–2–2 (24)	Harris Martin	ND	4	1 May 1891	Washington Rink, Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.
48	Win	21–2–2 (23)	Abe Coughle	TKO	2 (3)	27 Apr 1891	Battery D Armory, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
47	Win	20–2–2 (23)	Nonpareil Dempsey	RTD	13 (?)	14 Jan 1891	Olympic Club, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.	Won world middleweight title
46	Win	19–2–2 (23)	Arthur Upham	KO	9	28 Jul 1890	Audubon Athletic Club, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
45	Win	18–2–2 (23)	Billy McCarthy	RTD	10	29 May 1890	California Athletic Club, San Francisco, California, U.S.
44	Win	17–2–2 (23)	Frank Allen	RTD	1 (3)	17 May 1890	California Athletic Club, San Francisco, California, U.S.
43	Win	16–2–2 (23)	Professor Jack West	KO	1 (4)	1 Mar 1890	Foley's Hall, Sydney, Australia
42	Win	15–2–2 (23)	Edward Starlight Rollins	TKO	9 (?)	22 Feb 1890	Foley's Hall, Sydney, Australia
41	Loss	14–2–2 (23)	Jim Hall	KO	4 (20)	11 Feb 1890	Foley's Hall, Sydney, Australia	For Australian middleweight title
40	Draw	14–1–2 (23)	Edward Starlight Rollins	NWS	4	10 Feb 1890	Foley's Hall, Sydney, Australia
39	Win	14–1–2 (22)	Dave Conway	KO	4 (15)	1 Feb 1890	Foley's Hall, Sydney, Australia
38	Win	13–1–2 (22)	Dick Ellis	RTD	3 (20)	16 Dec 1889	Royal Standard Theatre, Sydney, Australia
37	Win	12–1–2 (22)	Professor Jack West	KO	1 (8)	30 Nov 1889	Foley's Hall, Sydney, Australia
36	Draw	11–1–2 (22)	Pat Kiely	NWS	4	26 Nov 1889	Foley's Hall, Sydney, Australia
35	Win	11–1–2 (21)	Jim Hall	RTD	5 (8)	19 Jan 1889	Foley's Hall, Sydney, Australia	Won Australian middleweight title
34	Win	10–1–2 (21)	McEwan	NWS	4	1 Dec 1888	Foley's Hall, Sydney, Australia
33	Draw	10–1–2 (20)	Jim Hall	NWS	4	24 Nov 1888	Foley's Hall, Sydney, Australia
32	Win	10–1–2 (19)	Jim Hall	NWS	4	10 Nov 1888	Foley's Hall, Sydney, Australia
31	NC	10–1–2 (18)	Mick Dooley	ND	4	1 May 1888	Amateur Athletic Club, Sydney, Australia
30	Draw	10–1–2 (17)	Bill Slavin	NWS	4	17 Apr 1888	Foley's Hall, Sydney, Australia
29	Draw	10–1–2 (16)	Bill Slavin	NWS	4	17 Mar 1888	Foley's Hall, Sydney, Australia
28	Win	10–1–2 (15)	Bill Slavin	TKO	7 (8)	5 Mar 1888	Foley's Hall, Sydney, Australia
27	Draw	9–1–2 (15)	Billy McCarthy	NWS	4	11 Feb 1888	Foley's Hall, Sydney, Australia
26	Draw	9–1–2 (14)	Tom Taylor	NWS	4	26 Jan 1888	Foley's Hall, Sydney, Australia
25	Draw	9–1–2 (13)	Dan Hickey	PTS	4	23 Jan 1888	Centennial Hall, Sydney, Australia
24	NC	9–1–1 (13)	Frank Slavin	ND	4	1 Jan 1888	Foley's Hall, Sydney, Australia
23	Win	9–1–1 (12)	Dave Travers	KO	3	24 Sep 1887	Foley's Hall, Sydney, Australia
22	Loss	8–1–1 (12)	Jim Hall	NWS	4	28 May 1887	Foley's Hall, Sydney, Australia
21	Win	8–1–1 (11)	George Eager	KO	2 (4)	4 Apr 1887	Foley's Hall, Sydney, Australia
20	Win	7–1–1 (11)	Bill Slavin	TKO	5 (8)	20 Mar 1887	Foley's Hall, Sydney, Australia
19	Win	6–1–1 (11)	Dick Sandall	RTD	4	1 Mar 1887	Foley's Hall, Sydney, Australia
18	Win	5–1–1 (11)	George Seale	PTS	4	15 Feb 1887	Foley's Hall, Sydney, Australia
17	Win	4–1–1 (11)	Jack Bonner	NWS	4	12 Feb 1887	Foley's Hall, Sydney, Australia
16	Draw	4–1–1 (10)	Frank Slavin	NWS	4	1 Jan 1887	Foley's Hall, Sydney, Australia
15	Draw	4–1–1 (9)	Jack Malloy	PTS	4	4 Dec 1886	Foley's Hall, Sydney, Australia
14	NC	4–1 (9)	McArdle	ND	4	9 Oct 1886	Foley's Hall, Sydney, Australia
13	NC	4–1 (8)	Australian Billy Smith	ND	4	7 Oct 1886	Foley's Hall, Sydney, Australia
12	Loss	4–1 (7)	Tom Lees	NWS	4	25 Aug 1886	Foley's Hall, Sydney, Australia
11	Win	4–1 (6)	McArdle	NWS	4	7 Aug 1886	Foley's Hall, Sydney, Australia
10	Loss	4–1 (5)	Mick Dooley	NWS	4	5 Jun 1886	Foley's Hall, Sydney, Australia
9	Loss	4–1 (4)	Mick Dooley	NWS	4	2 Jun 1886	Foley's Hall, Sydney, Australia
8	NC	4–1 (3)	Steve O'Donnell	ND	4	22 May 1886	Foley's Hall, Sydney, Australia
7	Loss	4–1 (2)	Mick Dooley	RTD	3 (4)	15 May 1886	Foley's Hall, Sydney, Australia
6	Draw	4–0 (2)	Brinsley	NWS	4	1 May 1886	Foley's Hall, Sydney, Australia
5	Draw	4–0 (1)	Pablo Fanque	NWS	3	1 May 1886	Foley's Hall, Sydney, Australia
4	Win	4–0	Pablo Fanque	KO	2 (4)	Feb 1886	The Green, Sydney, Australia
3	Win	3–0	Jack Greentree	KO	3 (4)	Mat 01, 1885	Foley's Hall, Sydney, Australia	Exact date unknown
2	Win	2–0	Alf Bramsmead	KO	2 (4)	Apr 01, 1885	Foley's Hall, Sydney, Australia	Exact date unknown
1	Win	1–0	Joe Riddle	PTS	4	Mar 01, 1885	Foley's Hall, Sydney, Australia	Exact date unknown

Images for kids

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  Fitzsimmons' grave at Graceland Cemetery

See also

In Spanish: Bob Fitzsimmons para niños