Fitz Dethrones Corbett in 1897

On March 17, 1897, current World Heavyweight Boxing Champion James J. Corbett entered the boxing ring at Carson City, Nevada.  Corbett faced the challenge of former middleweight boxing champion Bob Fitzsimmons.  Corbett entered as the favorite enjoying both an almost twenty pound weight advantage and slick boxing skills.

“Ruddy Robert” as Fitzsimmons was sometimes known won the World Middleweight Boxing Championship in 1891 by beating Jack Dempsey, the Nonpareil.  The heavyweight Jack Dempsey took his name from this capable middleweight.

Fitzsimmons possessed signficant punching power for a 170 pounder.  Fitzsimmons durability proved to be his greatest strength against Corbett.  Corbett administered a terrific beating for the first several rounds.

For the first six rounds of the title fight, Corbett darted in and out as he peppered Fitzsimmons with a combination of right and left hands.  Bleeding profusely from facial wounds, Fitzsimmons tried to keep Corbett off with little success.

Corbett used his footwork to move in and out of range as he peppered his opponents with punches.  Corbett also clinched his opponent frequently.  When the referee would break the men, Corbett would respond with quick hooks off the break.

Corbett’s tactics were carrying the day in the early rounds.  Fitzsimmons survived a withering attack in the early rounds but Corbett eventually dropped him in the sixth round.  Fitzsimmons staid down on one knee until the count of 9, when he stood back to his feet.   Corbett tried to press his advantage but ‘Fitz” held him off.

Fitzsimmons’ bloody visage worried his wife and his trainer but Fitz just smiled.  “I got him now.” beamed “Fitz”.  Despite their doubting looks, Fitzsimmons knew Corbett was tiring.  Corbett’s shots didn’t have the same sting.

Corbett continued to bounce lefts and rights off Fitzsimmons’ cuts but never threatened to drop him again.  Fitzsimmons kept getting in the occasional punches while keeping a relentless pace on Corbett.  Corbett began to noticeably fatigue in the eleventh round.

 Corbett did more touring than training after he defeated John L. Sullivan in 1892.  While touring in minstrel shows made boxers considerable money, the tours did negatively affect their physical condition.

In the fourteenth round, Corbett tried to hit Fitzsimmons off the clinch but Fitzsimmons beat him to the punch.  A straight left hand crashed into James J. Corbett’s solar plexus.

The blow devastated the fatigued Corbett.  As he sat on the canvas trying to catch his breath, the referee counted out Corbett.

 It took several minutes for Corbett to recover.  After he recovered, Corbett charged at Fitzsimmons and had to be restrained.  Many pundits attributed this unsportsmanlike action on the part of “Gentleman”Jim Corbett to his fatigue and shock at losing his title to the smaller Fitzsimmons.

I find it to be a bit ridiculous.  Corbett had fourteen rounds to beat up Fitzsimmons.  After being knocked out, would anyone believe he was now going to beat Fitzsimmons after the fight.

Corbett and Fitzsimmons never fought a rematch.  Corbett challenged former sparring partner James J. Jeffries in a losing effort after Jeffries won the title from Fitzsimmons in 1899.

Film of the entire fight exists and can be found on YouTube.  I’ve included a short compilation of the fight on this post.  You can leave a comment or ask a question about this or any post on my Facebook page, Twitter profile and Google+ page.

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