Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-10-23
bob HTzs|MM0Ns DIES
FRQn.PNEuM0H|A ATTACK
FormeE Heavyweight Pugilist of
World Succumbs' After Waging
,sGrcat Fight for Life.
sTARiab AS a BLACKSMITH
Famous 1,rizc-Fightcr Once Defeated
Fives9pponents in One Day-De-
featef Corbctt and Twice Whipped
by Jefries.

CHICAGO. october a2.--Rooert fltz-
simmons former champion heavy
weight pnsiiist of the world, died at
hospital here carly to-day. after an
illness. et five days of pneumonia.
The FORMER champion became Ill last
Tuesday while appearing in vaude-
VILE theatcr. and his ailmcnt was at
first diagnosed as ptomaine poisoning.
Later it was discovered that he was
suffering from double Cloear) pncu-
monia.. and physicians declared that he
could not live. His remarkable vitality
sustained him until Saturday, when he
lapsed,, into Inconsistencies. from
which The did not rally except At rare
intervaS,$
Duringr the FIVE days OF his Illness.
Fitzslrn hnohs was the recipient of many
messages from men whom he had
formerly met in the ring, including
James L, Sorbett, from whom he won
the championship. and James !. Jeffrics,
who tPpf., the title from him. Other
pugilists and followers OF the sport sent
teleGrarns to the fighter and his wife.
expressing hope of n speedy recovery.
FitEsimmors until no sank into his
final stppor, fought for his life as he
had fought for victory In the ring.
Physicians declared life was prolonged
several days by the grim determination
Of the. man.
"F1GHTaNG BOB" LIVES UP
.sTD HIS RING REPUTATION
"Figh}nH Bob" lived up to his nick
name esr,d. ring reputation almost to
the end, 1Ic refused to admit defeat
even after physicians had given up
hope. FItzsimmons always was re-
ferred TO as an Australian, because il
was there that he started his ring
career. hut he was born in Hels;cn
Cornwall, England. June 4. 1862. His
parents however, soon moved 10 New
zealanu:ss
Fitzsirtmons started work in his
fathers. blacksmith ship. and at tho
age OF ,eiEhtecn gained fame for his
dexterity, ln swinging heavy hammer
and fa2hioninS Of horseshoes. 1t was
said hes could shape two while others
made ppe:
Naturally athletic. F!txsimmons en-
gagged In all kinds OF sports Before
taking UP boxing he was a hammer
thrower and long distance runner His
speed and endurance were 80 marvellous
that he vas given to hunting kanga-
roos efoot. The former champions
ring cafeer began rs the winner OF a
lightweight competition promoted by
Jem Mace. at Timaru. New Zealand. In
1880. lie defeated four men. knock
ing out three OF them. and thus be-
came the amateur champion of the
country The next year he defended
HIS hon0rs. defeating 1--WE opponents in
one night.
HIS SOLAR PLExUs PUNCH
s.woN HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE
FltzsInmons continued at the forge
for thes next six or seven years but
was always ready TO fight. After Fight
ing three battles with Jim Hall. then
reEardeds rs the m!ddleweght cham
pion Of australia. Fitzsimmons came
to America in 1890. He was one of
the lishles' men TO win the heavy
weight championship. He rarely
weighed ,morc than 1G5 pounds when
IN CONDITION. and gave away as much
as nifty pounds to some opponents.
Fitzs!nnhinns won the worlds heavy
weight .t3Gc on March II. 1897, when
he defsaded James ]. Corbctt in the
four'efnH round OF their memorable
battle at Carson City, Nevada. He
stopped CorbGtt with his famous solar
pieHus, punch, OF which he was the
originator
For tWp' years Fitzsimmons chung to
the h1iior; losing il TO James 7. JET.
fries when he was Knocked out in tho
eleventh .round June 8. 1888. at Coney
Island; u. Y. In 1902 he met Jefrries
again. hoping to regain the crown:
but. I1S,.. having the better OF the
California giant on points, Fitxsim-
mons Sstt down to defeat in the eighth
roundast
oldtimers OF tho ring say the last
knockppt at the hands OF Jenrics
started sRitzsimmons on The downward
path. .ss,
Fitzs rrrhons made fortune in tho
ring. his tearnings soon vanishing. He
mad Varied matrimonial career, hav
Ing been married four times.
Funeral services for the dead fighter
VIII be held at the Moody Tabernacle
Wednesday Burial Will he a. Grece.
land Cemetery