Blacksmith Bob’s world boxing title
Does Joseph Parker have a better chance against Anthony Joshua than Bob Fitzsimmons did against Gentleman Jim Corbett? Tony Smith reports.
1897: BOB FITZSIMMONS v GENTLEMAN JIM CORBETT
A Joseph Parker victory over Anthony Joshua would be some sporting feat, but it would struggle to match the impact of the ‘‘Fight of the Century’’ from 120 years ago.
No-one gave Timaru-raised Bob Fitzsimmons - variously dubbed the The Cornishman, The Fighting Blacksmith, the Freckled Wonder or just plain Ruby - a chance against the champion, Gentleman Jim Corbett when they squared off in a purpose-built outdoor ring in Carson City, Nevada on St Patrick’s Day in 1897.
Corbett was a crowd favourite, having taken the crown from the legendary John L Sullivan, who had it held it, as both a bareknuckler and a gloveman, for over 10 years.
Fitzsimmons, a pumped up former world middleweight champion, tipped the scales at 75.7kg (167 pounds) - Joseph Parker’s fighting weight is 112kg.
The Kiwi hit the canvas in the middle rounds, but got back to his feet and became stronger as the fight grew longer.
Fitzsimmons delivered the killer blow to Corbett’s solar plexus in the 14th round, knocking out the champ to claim the title and become the first fighter to win world titles in three weight divisions (middleweight, light heavyweight and heavyweight).
Four thousand punters watched the fight, with the gate totalling $US22,000 - chicken feed compared with the Joshua-parker Cardiff bonanza, expected to reach $NZ40 million.
The fight was filmed for a documentary screened in cinemas around America with Fitzsimmons and Corbett each reaping 15 per cent of its earnings. Some reports claimed the movie brought in up to $US750,000 which would have meant Fitzsimmons reaped just over $US100,000 (equivalent to $US845,000, or $NZ1.1 million, today).
Fitzsimmons refused to agree to a rematch with Corbett despite the latter’s manager dangling a $US30,000 purse.
His title tenure ended in 1899 when he lost in the 11th round to Corbett’s former sparring partner, James L Jefferies.
It remains to be seen whether Joseph Parker will match Bob Fitzsimmons’ longevity.
The South Canterbury scion was 39 when he challenged Jefferies again in 1902.
Conceding size to the champion, Fitzsimmons impressed with some savage punching, opening up cuts above both of Jefferies’ eyes.
But Jefferies came back in the eighth round with a killer, knockout left hook after Fitzsimmons momentarily dropped his guard.
A recent feature on www.thefightcity.com website said when Fitzsimmons approached Jefferies to congratulate him, the champion said: ‘‘You’re the most dangerous man alive.’’
Corbett’s last fight came in 1914 as a 50-year-old. He lost just eight of his 90 professional fights and had four draws. Fifty-nine of his victories were knockouts.
How does history regard the Fitzsimmons-corbett clash?
The Sweet Science magazine dubbed it, in a 2005 retrospective, ‘‘the most anticipated prize fight of the century featuring the two most prestigious heavyweights of the late 1800s.’’
Boxing News 24.com has retrospectively hailed it ‘‘The Fight of the Century’’, a contest ‘‘between two of the greatest, most prestigious prize fighters of all time’’.
How good was Fitzsimmons? Ring magazine ranked him in 2003 as the eighth best puncher in boxing history - one place ahead of George Foreman.
Boxing historian Tracy Callis declared him the greatest pound for pound fighter of all time.
Fitzsimmons, who died in 1917, was posthumously inducted into the New Zealand Sports Hall of Fame in 1996.