New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-10-23

A.
D.,o,sciousness, from which he did
nr,inc the FIVE days Of his Illness
~..,,rmons was the recipient of many
.,.sres from men whom he had form
~ met in the ring, including James D.
r,h.tt from whom he won the cham
.;,,.hip. and James J. Jefries, who
~ the title from him. Other pugl-
=. ard followers Of the sport sent
diagrams to the fighter and his wife
.rrressing hope of a speedy recovery
J,,zsimmOns, until he sank into his
49,, stupor. fought for his life as he
1,s fought for victory in the ring
p,v.icians declared life was prolonged
,.,,r.l days by the grim determination
q he man. 49,,
ur. FitrsimmOns, who was with her
husband during his illness, suffered q
.,rous breakdown last Thursday, and
h,, time it was believed her condition
-, dangerous, but she soon recovered
a,,.umed her vigil at his bedside.
Rob was a great fighter and good
,..h,nd.r said Mrs. Fitzsimmons. HE
x.Aed hard on the theatrical circuit
al believe the exposure between the
At, and the drafts which blew through
N, wings caused his Illness
pob.r.. IT,. son Of the dead pugilist,
,,rived here from New York to-day.
Lived Up TO Name
Fighting Bob" lived Up to his nick
name and uug reputation almost to the
end. H. refused 70 admit defeat even
st,,r physicians had gwen up hope
Fi,,.lmmons was always referred to as
an Australian because he there started
nj. ring career, but he WAS born In
Esls,en. Cornwall, England, June 4,
1862 His parents, however soon moved
10 New Zealand.
Fitzsjmmons started work in his
fathers blacksmith shop, and at the age
a. eighteen gained fame for his dex-
tsrty in swinging r. heavy hammer and
fAshioning Of horscshoes. IL was sald
he could shape two while others mRde
one
Naturally athletic, Fitzsimmons 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 so marvel
lous that he was given 70 hunting
ksngsroos afoot. The former cham
pion's ring career began as the winner
Of lightweight competition promoted
BY Jem Mace at Timsru, \. T., In 1850.
lie defeated four men, knocking out
'hree Of them, and thus became the
amateur champion OF the country. The
next year he defended his honors, de-
festing FIVE opponents in one night.
Worked at Forge
Pitrsimmons continued at the forge
for the next six or seven years, but was
elvsys ready TO Sight. After fighting
hree battles with Jim Hall. then re-
garded as the middleweight champion
Of Australia, Fitzsimmons came TO
America In 1890. He was one Of the
lightest men 20 win the heavyweight
championship. He rarely weighed more
than l65 pounds when in condition and
gave away as much as 90 pounds 20
some opponents.
Fitzsimmons won the world heavy
weight title on March II, 1897, when
he defeated James j. COrbett In the
fourteenth round of their memorable
battle at Carson City, New. He stopped
Corbett with his famous solar ple1us
punch, OF which he was the originator
For two years Fitzsimmons chung 10
the honor, losing IL 70 James J. Jefpries
when he was knocked out in the elev-
suth round, June 9, 1899, at Coney ISL
and, ~ Y. In 1902 he met Jefries
again, hoping TO regain the crown, but
after having the better Of the Cslifor-
MIA giant on poirts Fitzsimmons went
down 70 defeat In the eighth round.
0ldtimers Of the ring say the last
noekout at the hands Of Jeffries start
"a Fitzsinmons on the downward path.
lie made q fortune In the ring, his
ltsrnlngs soon vanishing. He had a
varied matrimonial career, having been
married four times.
A, Held Three Titles
Fitzsimmons was the only boxer TO
hold three championships. Theywere the
niddleweight, light heavyweight and
heavyweight crowns Lanky Bob won
he mlddlewejght title by knocking out
Jack Dempsey in thirteen rounds at
New Orleans on January IA, 1891. Two
years later Fitzsimmons met jim Hall,
he heavyweight, adding another knock
on In four rounds. The men battled
ior purse Of $40 900, but the winner
vas able 20 collect only part OF the
amount 20 which he was entitled
me Australian was past his forty
'hud year when he wrested the light
heavyweight title from George Gardiner
az San Francisco on November %. 1908.
riusimmons hurt his hand early in
me contest, but he showed his game
ness by fighting twenty rounds and
earning the decision over Gardiner.
fUtsimmons had several theatrical
engagements in subsequent years, IN
lsfspersing his stage experience with
an occasional bout. In 1907 he was
knocked out IN two rounds BY Jack
Johnson at Philadelphia, and his last
1g fing contest took place az Sydney,
Nusttallai M 1909, when he was knocked
}It IN the twelfth round by Bill Lang
rs lsst accredited ring contest in this
ounuy was siX-round no-decision
oout Vim YIN Dan Sweeney az Williams
port Penn, 10 1914.
'enries Pays Tribute
1aines J. Jefries expressed deep sor-
low to-day at news Of Fitzsimmons's
| NC was great old general" he
~ ne was one of my best friends,