The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-10-22
FITZSIMMONS is


Continued from Page one.J
morning. He was taken to the hos
pltal where it was announced that he
had double pneumonia. A few hours
later 1t was said that his death was
only matter of hours.
But the physicians left out of their
calculations the wonderful stamina
and supreme courage that had carried
the former blacksmith to the pinnacle
| OF pugilism.
The entire nation was pulling for
Bob, and hundreds of friends-many
of whom were one time enemies of the
rlng-Wlred the ancient gladiator
words OF encouragement, imploring
him not to give up.
And he didn't, with not even
/ tghtlng chance, Fitz battled death to
standstill for four rounds, In the
| ftfth-early yesterday-he Iapsed into
a coma from which he never revived.
IN the parlance of the ring, he was
knocked out on his feet But he
fought on, and it was not until nearly
! "a hours later that the final attack
carried him down for the final count
Held Three Titles at Once.
FftzsimmOns. when at the height of
his athletic powers, achieved some
thing that no boxer has ever done,
| before or since. He held three titles
sim ultaneo usly-middlew light
D y
He was born in Cornwall, England,
June 4, 1862. When still a boy, his
parents moved to New Zealand, where
young Bob, following a meager school
| ing, learned blacksmithing.
| When Is years of age, Bob startled
the south sea continent by knocking
out four men in a boxing tournament
at Timura, New Zealand, winning the
amateur championship of Australia.
! Jim Hall marred Fitz's record by
Z l.
| Then the 1anky Cornishman came to
America. He won the middleWeight
championship by knocking out Jack
Dempsey in 8 rounds at New Orleans.
January IA, 1891. He followed with
victories over Peter Maher, Dan Cree
| don, Joe Choynski and Black Pearl.
Got Title From Jim Corbett.
From 1894 to 1897, Fitz followed
Jim Corbett, then heavyweight cham
pion about the country, imploring
| him for a match. This was finally
arranged at Carson City, Nevada,
March IT, 1897. There at the age of
| 35, Fitz won the worlds title by
knocking Corbett out with the famous
"solar pIexus" punch in fourteen
rounds.
For more than two years afteward.
Bob boxed only minor engagements,
devoting his time to exhibitions and
stage work. When he re-entered the
ring in earnest, it was against Jim
Jeffries, a giant California boiler
Jeff Defeats Fitz
| Fitz battered his big opponent
about the ring for nine rounds. Jeff
stood the gaff, came back in the next
two rounds and finally administered
a knockout in the eleventh This bat
tie took place at Coney Island, June
., 1893.
! f1IYG PJ1I1 nd
met Jeffries again at San Francisco
July rs, 1902, and once more he was
stopped, this time in the eighth round.
This practically ended the pugilistic
career of the Cornishman, who was
far past the age when most athletes
retire. He was later knocked out by
Jack O'Brien, Jack johnson and Bill
Lang.
Fitz was married four times, Mrs.
Tina Fitzsimmons, who was at his
bedside when the end came, was his
theatrical manager. His son. who is
about 81 years old, never proved a
sensation as a boxer and has prac-
tically given it up.
Made and Spent a Fortune.
Fitzsimmons made a fortune in the
ring but his earnings soon vanished
His contest with Jim Hall in New Or
leans was for a purse of $1,000, but
FitZsimmonS only received a. portion
His first battle with teffries drew
! 9o5tUUU ana MS second $o1,UuU. Inc
receipts of his battle with Gus Rubin
were S45,000 and his contest with
Tom Sharkey drew $4,000.
The former champions first Amer
lean ring appearance was in San
Francisco. His queer hops and anus
ing style of fighting brought laughs
from the spectators and even made
his opponents smile He appeared
awkward, but soon his experience
eliminated his crudeness. He really
became prominent when he defeated
Jack Dempsey in 1891 for the mid
dleweight championship. After his
victory, F'itzsimmons' fame was as
sured. Few middleweights would
face him, so starting in 1894 he be-
, gan meeting the bigger men in the
ring. One of Fitzsimmons's -four
wives was Julia Clifford, an actress
His present wife recently became ar
evangelist. She also appeared with
Fitzsimmons in a vaudeville act il
which the former champion gave ar
exhibition of bag punching and other
training stunts.
Funeral Wednesday.
Mrs. F'itzsimmons announced today
that the funeral will be held in
the Moody hospital here Wednesday
The burial will be in this city.