FITZSIMMONS, ROBERT

born May 26, 1863, Helston, Cornwall, Eng. died Oct. 22, 1917, Chicago byname Bob Fitzsimmons, or Ruby Robert Fitzsimmons world boxing champion in three weight divisions, including heavyweight. A New Zealand resident as a young man, Fitzsimmons went to the United States in 1890, having already established a reputation as a fighter. He won the world middleweight title by knocking out Nonpareil Jack Dempsey in 13 rounds in New Orleans, Jan. 14, 1891. He resigned this championship on March 17, 1897, when he won the heavyweight title by knocking out Gentleman Jim Corbett in 14 rounds at Carson City, Nev. In this fight he first displayed the solar plexus punch. He lost the heavyweight championship to James J. Jeffries on an 11-round knockout at Coney Island, New York City, June 9, 1899. He won the light-heavyweight championship on Nov. 25, 1903, in San Francisco, when he defeated George Gardner in 20 rounds. He lost this title to Philadelphia Jack O'Brien on a 13-round knockout in San Francisco, Dec. 20, 1905. He continued fighting until 1914. Fitzsimmons weighed only about 170 pounds but had the chest and shoulder development of a much larger man.