The Washington herald., 1914-12-26
FitzSinmonS Lost First
Fight Is Years Ago
Tom Sbarkey Won Famous
Battle on Foul Sailor Had
Taken Awful Pounding.
FOUL STILL A QUESTION

California fans will never again witness
such a contest of pugilistic gladistors as
was staged in San Francisco a bit more
than eighteen years ago, on December 2,
1896. And the anti-boxing law isn't the
only o5stacle-not by long shot. Stat
utes may be repealed. but nature is not
likely ever again to fashion such a long
legged, freckled, knock-kneed, broad
shouldered, red-haired human fighting
cock as Bob Fitzsimmons. From the
viewpoint of beauty, it is to be hoped that
she won't. for Ruby Robert was never
highly ornamental. But fight-weIl,
pound for pound. the world is never likely
to see his equal.
Tom Sharkey. the sailor bold, was
Fits opponent on that historic occasion.
The 1lariner was something of a scrapper
himself, not quite so tall Rs Bob, but
much heavier. Fitzsimmons, having clean
ed up all the middle-weights, was then a
candidate for heavyweight honors. Save
for Jim Corbett, the champion, Sharkey
was the best man to oppose him. The
former seafarer was in his prime. He
had fought a four-round draw with Cor
bett a few months before, and he had
knocked out Joe Choyinsk and many
other good heavy-weights. He had never
been whipped, and in the opinion Of his
admirers, the man bor3wasn't alive who
could lower his colors.
Important Battle.
The Sharkey-F -Fitzsimmons session was
highly important, since II was generally
understood that Jim Corbett would be
forced to meet the victor. The fans turn
ed in 81, 900 at the gate. The purse was
Si&,oo0, and both men were so sUpremely
confident that they agreed TO a winner
taEe-all distribution
al hod
string OF victories, save for that fake
fight in Australia, when he laid down to
Jim Hall. Later he stopped Hall in four
rounds at New Orleans. After his fight
with Dan Creedon, another Australian,
in the Crescent City in 1894, Fitz an
nounced his entrance into the heavy
weight ranks, as a competitor for the
title. He started proceedings by putting
Peter Maher to sleep in the first round
at Lantry. Tex, early in 1886.
Ruby Robert Loses.
Then came the decisive battle with
SharlIey-and Ruby Robert lost. For
eight rounds Fitzsimmons bombarded the
big sailor fore and aft. Although Tom
was not lacking in cleverness. he was
only punching bag for nin1ble Bob. FitZ
was already doping out schemes for in
vesting the $1,000 while sending the
sailor sprawling with sledge-hammer
body blows, when the referee. Wyatt
carp. stopped the slaughter and awarded
the victory to Sharkey on a foul.
\ lot of people present, gifted with
good eyesight. openly declared that there
wasn't any foul-it was only a figment
of the imagination. But the referee said
there was. and that settled it and the
records show the result as Fitz's first de-
feat.
But il Sharkey got the decision. FitZ
got the glory. and he was universally de-
clared to be the man to fight Corbett for
the title. Gentleman Jim" wasn't par
ticularly anxious to test conclusions with
Ruby Robert, but public opinion forced
him to it. and in 1897. at Carson City, the
great battle was staged with Fitz win
ming. After losing his title to the giant
Jeffrics. Fitzsimmons fought Sharkey
again, at Coney Island. and knocked him
out in the second round. After that battle
with Fitz in San Francisco, Sharkey
whipped Jim Corbett, and in two long
battles with JEFF came near holding his
own with the big bear.