New Britain herald., 1917-10-22
LAST FIGHT LOST
 BY FRECkLED FITz
Bob FitZSimmOnS Dies This Morn- ing in Battle With Death
WIFE WAS AT BEDSIDE
Lobar Pneumonia Secures East Knock
 out on Blacksmith Apprentice Who
 Got Worlds Championship by Put ting J. J. Corbett to Sleep in 1897.

ting J. J. Corbett to Sleep in 1897.
 Chicago, Oct. 22.-Robert ,Fitzsim- mons, former champion heavyweight pugilist of the world. died at a hos pital here early today after an illness of five days, of pneumonia.
 The former champion was taken sick last Tuesday while appearing in vaudeville theater, and his ailment was at first diagnosed as ptomaine poisoning. Later it was discovered that he was suffering from double, Qobar) pneumonia, and physicians declared that he could not live. Sat , urday he lapsed into unconsciousness, from which he did not rally except at intervals.
 During the first days of his illness Fitzsimmons was the recipient of many messages from men who he had formerly met in the ring.
 Fitzsimmons, until he sank into the final stupor fought for his life as he had fought for victory in the prize ring.
 Mrs. Fitzsimmons, who was with her husband during his illness, suf- fered a nervous breakdown last Thursday and for time it was be- lieved her condition was dangerous, but she soon recovered and resumed her vigil at his bedside.
 Bob was a great fighter and good husband" said Mrs. F'itzsimmons." He worked hard on the theatrical circuit and I believe the exposure between the acts and the drafts which blew through the wings caused his illness"
 Robert, IT,. son of the dead pugi- list, is expected to arrive here from New York today.
 Fighting Bob'' lived up to his nickname and ring reputation almost to the end. He refused to admit de- feat even after physicians had given up hope.
 Fitzsimmons was born in Melsten, Cornwall, England, June 4. 1862. His parents, however, soon moved to New Zealand.
 Fitzsimmons started work in his fathers blacksmith shop and at the age of IS, gained fame for his dex- terity in swinging a heavy hammer and fashioning horse shoes.
 Naturally athletic, Fitzsimmons en- gagged in all kinds of sports. Before taking up boxing he was a hammer thrower and long distant runner. The former champions ring ca reer began as the winner of a light weight competition prompted by Jem Mace at Timaru New Zealand in 1880. He 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 honors, defeating five opponents in one night.
 Fitzsimmons continued at the forge for the next six or seven years, but always was ready to fight. After fighting three battles with Jim Hall, then regarded as the middleweight champion of Australia, Fftzsimmons came to America in 1890. He was one of the lightest men to win the heaVy- weight championship. He rarely weighed more than 165 pounds when in condition and gave away as much as 50 pounds to some opponents.
 Fitzsimmons won the worlds heavyweight title on March 17,1897 when he defeated J. J. Corbett, in the 14th round of their memorable battle at Carson City, Nevada. He stopped Corbett with his famous solar plexus punch, of which he was the origina- tor For two years Fttzsimmons chung to the honor. losing 1t to J. J. Jef- fries who knocked him out in the 11th round, June 8. 1899, at Coney 1Slano, IN. I. LII 1ooA Ile ilieI J Vii ioa again, hoping to regain the crown, but went down to defeat in the eighth round.
 timers of the ring say the last knockout at the hands of Jeffries started Fitzsimmons on the down. ward path.
 Fitzsimmons made a fortune in the ring, but his earnings soon vanished He had a varied matrimonial career having been married four times.