The Washington times., 1917-10-23
By LOUIS A. BOUCHER.

"Ruby" Robert has been gathered
to his fathers, but his name and
fame will live forever in the history
Of the prize ring, for he was unique
in more ways than one.
wherever men fight with their
fists, the "solar plexus" blow is
known. Bob Fitzsimmons was its
originator. No other boxer ever de-
veloped it to such a degree Of abso-
lutte perfection. With it Fitzsimmons
became champion of the world when,
on st. Patrfck's Day, 1897, he
knocked out Jim Corbett in the
fourteenth round at Carson City,
New.
Fitzsimmons came to America from
Australia in 1890. He had to show
his class before getting a chance at
the top Ihonors, but he more than
made good, much to the surprise OF
those Californians who saw him in
training. Once under way. he never
halted until he became champion OF
the world.
His firts appearance in the ring was
at Timura, New Zealand. at Jem
Mace's tournament in 1880. winning
the amateur title by defeating four
opponents. The following year he
beat five men in one night. including
the famous Maori, Herbert Slade.
Fitzsimmons was born on June 4,
1862, at Halsten. Cornwall, England,
but was taken to Australia while an
infant He made his first appearance
in America at San Francisco on May
20. 1890. when he defeated Billy Nc
Carthy in nine rounds.
Knocks ont Dempsey.
On January 10, 1891, at New Or
leans. Fitzsimmons attracted wide at
tention by knocking out Jack Demp-
sey in fourteen rounds. A year later
he earned a decision over Peter
Maher, the Irish champion. in twelve
rounds at New Orleans, and the Cor
nishman was on his way.
Tall-being feet 1I% inches
was a physical freak.
His shoulders were uncommonly wide.
his arms unusually long. and his
legs unbelievably thin. 1t was sur
prising how strong he was on those
pipestem legs. He never weighed
more than 165 pounds, and when
meeting heavyweights like Corbett
and Jim Jeffrie5 he had to give away
pounds to his opponents.
In climbing the ladder to ring fame
knocked out such tough
customers as Joe Godfrey, Jerry Slat-
terry. Jim Hall, Dan Creedon. and Pc
ter Maher.
Finally Meets Corbett.
Under the shrewd MANAGEMENT of
Martin Julian. whose sister he mar
ried, Fitzsimmons was matched with
Jim Corbett, then holder OF the title.
They met at Carson City, New, March
II. 1897.
The story OF that bout. in which
was seen for the first time the IA
nous solar pleXus." is known to all
ring followers. Corbett had Fitzsim-
mons all but out in ten rounds. Then
came the ring craft OF Julian and
his boxer. Fitzsimmons.
The Cornishman faxed extreme IA
tigue and Corbett, eager to finish his
man, started to rush him. Three
times Fitz hit the floor and Corbett
thought sure he had him when the
fourteenth round opened. Rushing
his opponent, Corbett was flushed
with impending victory and he left
a hole open for that pile-driving left
of the man from Australia. That one
punch shifted the championship to
Fitzsimmons, for Corbett sank to the
floor utterly unable to move a muscle.
He was paralyzed for some fifteen
seconds and the "solar plexus" blow
had arrived.
How Tie Got the Blow.
When he found himself matched
with Corbett. conquerer OF John l.
Sullivan. Fitz realized at once that
he never would reach the Califor- |
mans jaw. Corbett was the cleverest