Bob Fitzsimmons


Robert James Fitzsimmons was a Cornish professional boxer who was the sport's first three-division world champion. He achieved fame for beating "Gentleman Jim" Corbett, and he is in The Guinness Book of World Records as the lightest heavyweight champion, weighing just 167 pounds when he won the title. Nicknamed Ruby Robert and The Freckled Wonder, he took pride in his lack of scars and appeared in the ring wearing heavy woollen underwear to conceal the disparity between his trunk and leg-development.
After defeating George Gardiner for the [List of world Light heavyweight|light-heavyweight boxing champions|world light-heavyweight title] on November 25, 1903, Fitzsimmons became the oldest champion at 40, a record that lasted until George Foreman's 1994 WBA heavyweight title win. Considered one of the hardest punchers in boxing history, Fitzsimmons is ranked No. 8 on The Ring magazine's list of 100 greatest punchers of all time. Boxing writer and founder of The Ring magazine, Nat Fleischer, ranked Fitzsimmons the third greatest heavyweight of all time and regarded him as the greatest pound for pound knockout puncher in boxing history.

Early life

Robert James Fitzsimmons was born on 4 June 1862 in Helston, Cornwall, England, the youngest of seven boys and five girls born to James and Jane Fitzsimmons. Not long before his birth, his parents had moved from his father's native Ireland to Cornwall, where his mother came from, in order for his father to find work as a policeman. Fitzsimmons received his early education at the National school in Helston. In 1873, the family moved again; James, Jane and their youngest five children sailed on the Adamant for the 93-day journey to Lyttelton, New Zealand.
They settled in Timaru, a town 147 km south-west of Lyttelton populated mainly by Cornish immigrants, and James Fitzsimmons established a blacksmith's forge in the town. Once Fitzsimmons had completed his education at the Timaru Main School, he took on a range of jobs. He wanted to join the crew of the Isabella Ridley, and do some service as a sailor, hoping that it would toughen him up for a career in boxing, but the ship was badly damaged in storms while still docked in Timaru. Instead, he took on a range of jobs; as a butcher's delivery boy, a carriage painter, striker at an iron foundry, and a decorator, before becoming an apprentice at his family's blacksmith's forge with his brother Jarrett. His time working in the blacksmith's forge helped to develop his upper body, particularly his arms and shoulders. During his time working in the blacksmith's forge, there are stories that Fitzsimmons was not averse to fighting quarrelsome, often drunk, customers, and it was suggested that this even boosted business, as customers returned to the forge, hoping to see a fight.

Amateur career

In the early 1880s Jem Mace, an English bare-knuckle boxer, travelled to Timaru and hosted both his boxing school, and the first boxing championships held in New Zealand in 1880. Fitzsimmons entered the tournament and knocked out four opponents on his way to winning the lightweight title. He knocked out five opponents in the subsequent competition in 1881 to capture the middleweight championship. During one of these tournaments, it is often suggested that Fitzsimmons defeated Herbert Slade, a professional heavyweight boxer who was touring with Mace, but Slade was touted as being undefeated in 1883, and it is possible that it was Slade's brother that Fitzsimmons beat. After these tournaments, Fitzsimmons boxed at least six times in New Zealand, including some bare knuckle bouts, but it is unclear if he received payment for his fights during this time.

Professional career

Move to Australia

Boxing record books show Fitzsimmons officially began boxing professionally in 1883, in Australia. He beat Jim Crawford there in a bare knuckle fight by getting a knockout in three rounds. Fitzsimmons had his first 28 definite professional fights in Australia, where he lost the Australian middleweight title to Mick Dooley and where he also won a fight by knockout while on the floor: when Edward Starlight Robins dropped Fitzsimmons to the canvas in round nine of their fight, he also broke his hand and could not continue, therefore the referee declared Fitzsimmons the winner by a knockout.
By this stage, Fitzsimmons had established his own style. He developed a certain movement and caginess from one of the greatest bare-knuckle fighters, Jem Mace. Mace encouraged Fitzsimmons to develop his punching technique, drawing on the enormous power he had gained from blacksmithing. Fitzsimmons delivered short, accurate and occasionally conclusive punches. He soon built up a reputation as by far the hardest puncher in boxing.

Winning the Middleweight title

Moving on to the United States, Fitzsimmons fought four more times in 1890, winning three and drawing one.
Then, on 14 January 1891, in New Orleans, he won his first world title from Jack (Nonpareil) Dempsey. Fitzsimmons knocked out Dempsey in the 13th round to become the World Middleweight Champion. Fitzsimmons knocked Dempsey down at least 13 times and by the finish left him in such a pitiable condition that he begged him to quit. Since Dempsey would not do so, Fitzsimmons knocked him out and then carried him to his corner. On 22 July, police broke off his fight with Jim Hall after he had knocked Hall down several times.
Fitzsimmons spent the next two years fighting non-title bouts and exhibitions until giving Hall a chance at the title in 1893. He retained the crown by a knockout in round four. He spent the rest of that year doing exhibitions, and on 2 June, he had scheduled a two-way exhibition where he would demonstrate in public how to hit the boxing bag and then how to box against a real opponent. Reportedly, two freak accidents happened that day: Fitzsimmons hit the bag so hard that it broke, and then his opponent of that day allegedly slipped, getting hit in the head and the boxing exhibition was cancelled.
At a public sparring performance on 16 November 1894 at Jacob's Opera House, Syracuse, New York, Fitzsimmons knocked out sparring partner Con Riordan, who was carried off unconscious and died several hours later. Two months later Fitzsimmons was charged with manslaughter but was acquitted.

Fitzsimmons vs. Sharkey

After vacating the Middleweight title, Fitzsimmons began campaigning at heavyweight. On 2 December 1896, the San Francisco Athletic Club sponsored a fight at the Mechanics' Pavilion in San Francisco between Fitzsimmons and Tom Sharkey. Unable to find a referee, they called on former lawman Wyatt Earp. He had officiated 30 or so matches in earlier days, though not under the Marquess of Queensberry rules. The fight may have been the most anticipated fight on American soil that year. Fitzsimmons was favoured to win, and bets flowed heavily his way. Earp entered the ring still armed with his customary Colt.45 and drew a lot of attention when he had to be disarmed. He later said he forgot he was wearing it. Fitzsimmons was taller and quicker than Sharkey and dominated the fight from the opening bell. In the eighth round, Fitzsimmons hit Sharkey with his famed "solar plexus punch," an uppercut under the heart that could render a man temporarily helpless. The punch caught Sharkey, Earp, and most of the crowd by surprise, and Sharkey dropped, clutched his groin, and rolled on the canvas, screaming foul.
Earp stopped the bout, ruling that Fitzsimmons had hit Sharkey with a low blow. His ruling was greeted with loud boos and catcalls. Very few witnessed the foul Earp ruled on. He awarded the decision to Sharkey, who attendants carried out as "...limp as a rag."

Winning the heavyweight title

In 1896, Fitzsimmons won a disputed version of the World Heavyweight Championship in a fight in Langtry, Texas, sanctioned by Judge Roy Bean, against the Irish fighter Peter Maher. On 17 March 1897, in Carson City, Nevada, he knocked out American Jim Corbett, generally recognised as the legitimate World Heavyweight Champion in round 14 in what is considered Nevada's first World Championship prize fight. This constituted a remarkable achievement, as Jim Corbett, a skilled boxer, weighed one stone 3 pounds more than Fitzsimmons. He out-boxed Fitzsimmons for several rounds, knocked him down in the sixth round and badly damaged his face with his jab, left hook and right hand, but Fitzsimmons kept coming and Corbett began to tire. In the 14th round, Fitzsimmons won the title with his "solar plexus" punch. Corbett collapsed in agony. Fitzsimmons's "solar plexus" punch became legendary, although he himself may never have used the phrase. The entire fight was filmed by Enoch J. Rector and released to cinemas as The Corbett-Fitzsimmons Fight, the longest film ever released at the time. It was also the first time in history a full boxing match was recorded and it was the world's first feature film. Using her maiden name, it was covered by Nellie Verrill Mighels Davis, the first woman to report a prize fight.
Fitzsimmons spent the rest of 1897 and 1898 doing stage tours. In 1899, Fitzsimmons fought James J. Jeffries at the Coney Island Athletic Club near Brooklyn, New York. Most people gave Jeffries little chance, even though at over 15 stones he massively outweighed his opponent and was far younger, but Jeffries lifted the World Heavyweight Championship from Fitzsimmons with an 11th-round knockout.
In June 1901 Fitzsimmons took part in a wrestling match against Gus Ruhlin. He lost and went back to boxing. He then enjoyed legitimate boxing knockouts of leading contenders Ruhlin and Tom Sharkey.
In 1901 he published a book . In 1902, he and Jeffries had a rematch, once again with the World Heavyweight Championship at stake. Fitzsimmons battered Jeffries, who suffered horrible punishment. With his nose and cheek bones broken, most would have sympathized with Jeffries had he quit, but he kept going until his enormous strength and youth wore down Bob and he knocked him out cold in round eight.

Winning the Light Heavyweight title

In November 1903, Fitzsimmons made history by defeating World Light Heavyweight Champion George Gardiner by a decision in 20 rounds, becoming the first boxer to win titles in three weight-divisions.
Soon afterward, he went back to the Heavyweights, where he kept fighting until 1914, with mixed results. In 1907 at age 44, Fitzsimmons fought a much younger Jack Johnson, during the time period in which reigning champion James J. Jeffries refused to fight Johnson due to his race. The bout between Johnson and Fitzsimmons ended in victory for Johnson with a second round knockout.

Retirement

Although Fitzsimmons became a world champion in each of the Middleweight, Light Heavyweight and Heavyweight divisions, historians do not consider him the first world Light Heavyweight Champion to become World Heavyweight Champion, because he won the Heavyweight title before winning the Light Heavyweight belt. Michael Spinks counts as the first Light Heavyweight World Champion to win the Heavyweight belt as well. However, Fitzsimmons was the first Middleweight Champion to win the Heavyweight title and the only Heavyweight Champion to drop down and win the Light Heavyweight title. Fitzsimmons and later Henry Armstrong were the only men to win undisputed world championship in three different weight classes. After his retirement, Fitzsimmons moved back to his home country of England and settled in London.
Fitzsimmons had a final professional record of 69 wins with 57 by knockout, 12 losses, 14 draws, and 6 no contests. His exact record remains unknown, as the boxing world often kept records poorly during his era.

Personal life

Fitzsimmons married four times and had six children, two of whom died in infancy. His son Robert, fighting under the moniker "Young Bob Fitzsimmons", enjoyed a moderately successful professional boxing career as a heavyweight between 1919 and 1931.
In the early 1900s, Fitzsimmons, alongside his third wife and actress Julia May Gifford, created and starred in a play surrounding their "would be divorce" titled "A Fight For Love" by Hal Reid.

Death

Fitzsimmons died of pneumonia on 22 October 1917 in Chicago, survived by his fourth wife. His grave lies in the Graceland Cemetery, Uptown. Having four wives, a gambling habit, and a susceptibility to confidence tricksters, he did not hold on to the money he made.

Legacy

In 1954, Fitzsimmons was inducted into the World Boxing Hall of Fame and The Ring magazine's Boxing Hall of Fame.
In 1971, Nat Fleischer ranked Fitzsimmons the third greatest heavyweight of all time and regarded him as the greatest pound for pound knockout puncher in boxing history. Charley Rose named him the greatest light-heavyweight of all time.
The statue Peace on the Dewey Arch was modelled on Fitzsimmons by the sculptor Daniel Chester French. A statue of Fitzsimmons has also stood in the city centre of Timaru, New Zealand, since 1987. It was commissioned by New Zealand millionaire boxing fan Bob Jones and sculpted by Margriet Windhausen.
The International Boxing Hall of Fame has made Fitzsimmons a member in its "Old Timer" category as one of the inaugural inductees of the 1990 class. In 1995, he was inducted into the New Zealand Sports Hall of Fame.
In 2003, The Ring named Fitzsimmons number eight on their list of greatest punchers of all time.
In 2006, he was inducted into the Australian National Boxing Hall of Fame as an honorary international.

Works

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Professional boxing record

All information in this section is derived from BoxRec, unless otherwise stated.

Official record

All newspaper decisions are officially regarded as “no decision” bouts and are not counted in the win/loss/draw column.
No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
101WinJersey BellewNWS620 Feb 1914Municipal Hall, South Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, US
100Win61–8–4 Dan SweeneyNWS629 Jan 1914Athletic Club, Williamsport, Pennsylvania, US
99Loss61–8–4 Bill LangKO12 27 Dec 1909Sydney Stadium, Sydney, AustraliaFor Australian heavyweight title
98Loss61–7–4 Jack JohnsonKO2 17 Jul 1907Washington Sports Club, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
97Win61–6–4 Charlie HagheyKO4 31 Jan 1906Webster, Massachusetts, US
96Loss60–6–4 Philadelphia Jack O'BrienRTD13 20 Dec 1905Mechanic's Pavilion, San Francisco, California, USLost world light-heavyweight title
95Win60–5–4 Philadelphia Jack O'BrienNWS623 Jul 1904Baker Bowl, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
94Win60–5–4 George GardinerPTS2025 Nov 1903Mechanic's Pavilion, San Francisco, California, USWon world light-heavyweight title
93Win59–5–4 Joe GrimNWS614 Oct 1903Southern Athletic Club, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
92Win59–5–4 Con CoughlinTKO1, 2:5230 Sep 1903Washington Sporting Club, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
91Win58–5–4 Mike RankeKO2, 0:1527 Dec 1902Bozeman, Montana, US
90Win57–5–4 StewardKO1 19 Dec 1902Butte, Montana, US
89Loss56–5–4 James J. JeffriesKO8 25 Jul 1902San Francisco Athletic Club, San Francisco, California, USFor world heavyweight title
88Win56–4–4 Tom SharkeyKO2, 2:0624 Aug 1900Coney Island Athletic Club, Brooklyn, New York, US
87Win55–4–4 Gus RuhlinKO6, 2:1010 Aug 1900Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US
86Win54–4–4 Ed DunkhorstKO2, 2:2530 Apr 1900Hercules Athletic Club, Brooklyn, New York, US
85Win53–4–4 Jim DalyTKO1 27 Mar 1900First Regiment Armory, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
84Win52–4–4 Geoff ThorneKO1 28 Oct 1899Tattersalls, Chicago, Illinois, US
83Loss51–4–4 James J. JeffriesKO11, 1:329 Jun 1899Coney Island Athletic Club, Brooklyn, New York, USLost world heavyweight title
82Win51–3–4 Lew JoslinKO2 5 Jun 1897Leadville, Colorado, US
81Win50–3–4 James J. CorbettKO14 17 Mar 1897The Race Track Arena, Carson City, Nevada, USWon world heavyweight title
80Loss49–3–4 Tom Sharkey8 2 Dec 1896Mechanic's Pavilion, San Francisco, California US
79Win49–2–4 Peter MaherKO1, 1:3521 Feb 1896Coahuila de Zaragoza, MexicoBilled for the heavyweight championship;
A finish fight
78Win48–2–4 Mike ConnorsKO1 19 Apr 1895New York City, New York, US
77Win47–2–4 Al AllichKO3 16 Apr 1895New York City, New York, US
76Win46–2–4 Dan CreedonKO2, 1:4026 Sep 1894Olympic Club, New Orleans, Louisiana, USRetained world middleweight title
75Win45–2–4 Frank KellarKO2 28 Jul 1894Buffalo Driving Park, Buffalo, New York, US
74Draw44–2–4 Joe ChoynskiPTS5 18 Jun 1894The Boston Theatre, Boston, Massachusetts, USChoynski was down and bloodied when the police stepped in
and would likely have been knocked out had the fight continued
The bout was declared a draw. Pre-fight agreement that the fight could only be won via KO
73Win44–2–3 Jack HickeyTKO3 5 Sep 1893Caledonian Park, Newark, New Jersey, US
72Win43–2–3 Dan ConerKO1 30 May 1893Philadelphia Athletic Club, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
71Win42–2–3 Mike BrennanKO4 6 May 1893Boston, Massachusetts, US
70Win41–2–3 Joe GodfreyKO1 21 Apr 1893Academy of Music, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
69Win40–2–3 Mike MonoghanKO1 21 Apr 1893Academy of Music, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
68Win39–2–3 Alexander KilpatrickKO4 21 Apr 1893Academy of Music, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
67Win38–2–3 Jack SheridanTKO1 15 Apr 1893Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
66Win37–2–3 Dan CurryKO2 12 Apr 1893Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
65Win36–2–3 Hank SmithKO1 12 Apr 1893Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
64Win35–2–3 Alexander KilpatrickKO3 12 Apr 1893Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
63Win34–2–3 Jack WarnerTKO1 31 Mar 1893Baltimore, Maryland, US
62Win33–2–3 Phil MayoKO2 25 Mar 18932nd Regiment Armory, Chicago, Illinois, US
61Draw32–2–3 Dan BayliffPTS415 Mar 1893Indianapolis, Indiana, US
60Win32–2–2 Jim HallKO48 Mar 1893Crescent City Club, New Orleans, Louisiana, USRetained world middleweight title;
A finish fight
59Win31–2–2 Jack BrittonRTD2 10 Dec 1892Newark, New Jersey, US
58Win30–2–2 Millard ZenderKO1 3 Sep 1892Anniston, Alabama, US
57Win29–2–2 Jerry SlatteryKO2 11 May 1892Miners 8th St Theater, New York City, New York, US
56Win28–2–2 Joe GodfreyRTD2 6 May 1892Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
55Win27–2–2 James FarrellKO2 29 Apr 1892Newark, New Jersey, US
54Win26–2–2 Thomas RobbinsRTD3 28 Apr 1892Newark, New Jersey, US
53Win25–2–2 Tom BurnsRTD3 28 Apr 1892Newark, New Jersey, US
52Win24–2–2 James MaloneRTD2 27 Apr 1892Newark, New Jersey, US
51Win23–2–2 Charles PuffKO2 26 Apr 1892Newark, New Jersey, US
50Win22–2–2 Peter MaherRTD122 Mar 1892Olympic Club, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA finish fight
49ND21–2–2 Harris MartinND41 May 1891Washington Rink, Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
48Win21–2–2 Abe CoughleTKO2 27 Apr 1891Battery D Armory, Chicago, Illinois, US
47Win20–2–2 Nonpareil DempseyRTD1314 Jan 1891Olympic Club, New Orleans, Louisiana, USWon world middleweight title;
A finish fight
46Win19–2–2 Arthur UphamKO928 Jul 1890Audubon Athletic Club, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA finish fight
45Win18–2–2 Billy McCarthyRTD1029 May 1890California Athletic Club, San Francisco, California, USA finish fight
44Win17–2–2 Frank AllenRTD1 17 May 1890California Athletic Club, San Francisco, California, US
43Win16–2–2 Professor Jack WestKO1 1 Mar 1890Foley's Hall, Sydney, Australia
42Win15–2–2 Edward Starlight RollinsTKO922 Feb 1890Foley's Hall, Sydney, AustraliaA finish fight
41Loss14–2–2 Jim HallKO4 11 Feb 1890Foley's Hall, Sydney, AustraliaFor Australian middleweight title
40Draw14–1–2 Edward Starlight RollinsNWS410 Feb 1890Foley's Hall, Sydney, Australia
39Win14–1–2 Dave ConwayKO4 1 Feb 1890Foley's Hall, Sydney, Australia
38Win13–1–2 Dick EllisRTD3 16 Dec 1889Royal Standard Theatre, Sydney, Australia
37Win12–1–2 Professor Jack WestKO1 30 Nov 1889Foley's Hall, Sydney, Australia
36Draw11–1–2 Pat KielyNWS426 Nov 1889Foley's Hall, Sydney, Australia
35Win11–1–2 Jim HallRTD5 19 Jan 1889Foley's Hall, Sydney, AustraliaWon Australian middleweight title
34Win10–1–2 McEwanNWS41 Dec 1888Foley's Hall, Sydney, Australia
33Draw10–1–2 Jim HallNWS424 Nov 1888Foley's Hall, Sydney, Australia
32Win10–1–2 Jim HallNWS410 Nov 1888Foley's Hall, Sydney, Australia
31ND10–1–2 Mick DooleyND41 May 1888Amateur Athletic Club, Sydney, Australia
30Draw10–1–2 Bill SlavinNWS417 Apr 1888Foley's Hall, Sydney, Australia
29Draw10–1–2 Bill SlavinNWS417 Mar 1888Foley's Hall, Sydney, Australia
28Win10–1–2 Bill SlavinTKO7 5 Mar 1888Foley's Hall, Sydney, Australia
27Draw9–1–2 Billy McCarthyNWS411 Feb 1888Foley's Hall, Sydney, Australia
26Draw9–1–2 Tom TaylorNWS426 Jan 1888Foley's Hall, Sydney, Australia
25Draw9–1–2 Dan HickeyPTS423 Jan 1888Centennial Hall, Sydney, Australia
24ND9–1–1 Frank SlavinND41 Jan 1888Foley's Hall, Sydney, Australia
23Win9–1–1 Dave TraversKO324 Sep 1887Foley's Hall, Sydney, AustraliaA finish fight
22Loss8–1–1 Jim HallNWS428 May 1887Foley's Hall, Sydney, Australia
21Win8–1–1 George EagerKO2 4 Apr 1887Foley's Hall, Sydney, Australia
20Win7–1–1 Bill SlavinTKO5 20 Mar 1887Foley's Hall, Sydney, Australia
19Win6–1–1 Dick SandallRTD4 1 Mar 1887Foley's Hall, Sydney, Australia
18Win5–1–1 George SealePTS415 Feb 1887Foley's Hall, Sydney, Australia
17Win4–1–1 Jack BonnerNWS412 Feb 1887Foley's Hall, Sydney, Australia
16Draw4–1–1 Frank SlavinNWS41 Jan 1887Foley's Hall, Sydney, Australia
15Draw4–1–1 Jack MalloyPTS44 Dec 1886Foley's Hall, Sydney, Australia
14ND4–1 McArdleND49 Oct 1886Foley's Hall, Sydney, Australia
134–1 Australian Billy SmithND47 Oct 1886Foley's Hall, Sydney, Australia
12Loss4–1 Tom LeesNWS425 Aug 1886Foley's Hall, Sydney, Australia
11Win4–1 McArdleNWS47 Aug 1886Foley's Hall, Sydney, Australia
10Loss4–1 Mick DooleyNWS45 Jun 1886Foley's Hall, Sydney, Australia
9Loss4–1 Mick DooleyNWS42 Jun 1886Foley's Hall, Sydney, Australia
84–1 Steve O'DonnellND422 May 1886Foley's Hall, Sydney, Australia
7Loss4–1 Mick Dooley3 15 May 1886Foley's Hall, Sydney, Australia
6Draw4–0 BrinsleyNWS48 May 1886Foley's Hall, Sydney, Australia
5Draw4–0 Pablo Fanque31 May 1886Foley's Hall, Sydney, Australia
4Win4–0Pablo FanqueKO2 2 Feb 1886The Green, Sydney, Australia
3Win3–0Jack GreentreeKO3 May 1, 1885Foley's Hall, Sydney, AustraliaExact date unknown
2Win2–0Alf BrinsmeadKO2 Apr 1, 1885Foley's Hall, Sydney, AustraliaExact date unknown
1Win1–0Joe Riddle4Mar 1, 1885Foley's Hall, Sydney, AustraliaExact date unknown

Unofficial record

Record with the inclusion of newspaper decisions in the win/loss/draw column.
No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRoundDateLocationNotes
101WinJersey BellewNWS620 Feb 1914Municipal Hall, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, US
100Win68–12–14 Dan SweeneyNWS629 Jan 1914Athletic Club, Williamsport, Pennsylvania, US
99Loss67–12–14 Bill LangKO12 27 Dec 1909Sydney Stadium, Sydney, AustraliaFor Australian heavyweight title
98Loss67–11–14 Jack JohnsonKO2 17 Jul 1907Washington Sports Club, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
97Win67–10–14 Charlie HagheyKO4 31 Jan 1906Webster, Massachusetts, US
96Loss66–10–14 Philadelphia Jack O'BrienRTD13 20 Dec 1905Mechanic's Pavilion, San Francisco, California, USLost world light-heavyweight title
95Win66–9–14 Philadelphia Jack O'BrienNWS623 Jul 1904Philadelphia Ball Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
94Win65–9–14 George GardinerPTS2025 Nov 1903Mechanic's Pavilion, San Francisco, California, USWon world light-heavyweight title
93Win64–9–14 Joe GrimNWS614 Oct 1903Southern Athletic Club, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
92Win63–9–14 Con CoughlinTKO1, 2:5230 Sep 1903Washington Sporting Club, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
91Win62–9–14 Mike RankeKO2, 0:1527 Dec 1902Bozeman, Montana, US
90Win61–9–14 StewardKO1 19 Dec 1902Butte, Montana, US
89Loss60–9–14 James J. JeffriesKO8 25 Jul 1902San Francisco Athletic Club, San Francisco, California, USFor world heavyweight title
88Win60–8–14 Tom SharkeyKO2, 2:0624 Aug 1900Coney Island Athletic Club, Brooklyn, New York, US
87Win59–8–14 Gus RuhlinKO6, 2:1010 Aug 1900Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US
86Win58–8–14 Ed DunkhorstKO2, 2:2530 Apr 1900Hercules Athletic Club, Brooklyn, New York, US
85Win57–8–14 Jim DalyTKO1 27 Mar 1900First Regiment Armory, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
84Win56–8–14 Geoff ThorneKO1 28 Oct 1899Tattersalls, Chicago, Illinois, US
83Loss55–8–14 James J. JeffriesKO11, 1:329 Jun 1899Coney Island Athletic Club, Brooklyn, New York, USLost world heavyweight title
82Win55–7–14 Lew JoslinKO2 5 Jun 1897Leadville, Colorado, US
81Win54–7–14 James J. CorbettKO14 17 Mar 1897The Race Track Arena, Carson City, Nevada, USWon world heavyweight title
80Loss53–7–14 Tom Sharkey8 2 Dec 1896Mechanic's Pavilion, San Francisco, California USBilled as the world heavyweight title
79Win53–6–14 Peter MaherKO1, 1:3521 Feb 1896Coahuila de Zaragoza, MexicoBilled as the world heavyweight title;
A finish fight
78Win52–6–14 Mike ConnorsKO1 19 Apr 1895New York City, New York, US
77Win51–6–14 Al AllichKO3 16 Apr 1895New York City, New York, US
76Win50–6–14 Dan CreedonKO2, 1:4026 Sep 1894Olympic Club, New Orleans, Louisiana, USRetained world middleweight title
75Win49–6–14 Frank KellarKO2 28 Jul 1894Buffalo Driving Park, Buffalo, New York, US
74Draw48–6–14 Joe ChoynskiPTS5 18 Jun 1894The Boston Theatre, Boston, Massachusetts, USChoynski was down and bloodied when the police stepped in
and would likely have been knocked out had the fight continued
The bout was declared a draw. Pre-fight agreement that the fight could only be won via KO
73Win48–6–13 Jack HickeyTKO3 5 Sep 1893Caledonian Park, Newark, New Jersey, US
72Win47–6–13 Dan ConerKO1 30 May 1893Philadelphia Athletic Club, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
71Win46–6–13 Mike BrennanKO4 6 May 1893Boston, Massachusetts, US
70Win45–6–13 Joe GodfreyKO1 21 Apr 1893Academy of Music, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
69Win44–6–13 Mike MonoghanKO1 21 Apr 1893Academy of Music, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
68Win43–6–13 Alexander KilpatrickKO4 21 Apr 1893Academy of Music, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
67Win42–6–13 Jack SheridanTKO1 15 Apr 1893Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
66Win41–6–13 Dan CurryKO2 12 Apr 1893Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
65Win40–6–13 Hank SmithKO1 12 Apr 1893Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
64Win39–6–13 Alexander KilpatrickKO3 12 Apr 1893Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
63Win38–6–13 Jack WarnerTKO1 31 Mar 1893Baltimore, Maryland, US
62Win37–6–13 Phil MayoKO2 25 Mar 18932nd Regiment Armory, Chicago, Illinois, US
61Draw36–6–13 Dan BayliffPTS415 Mar 1893Indianapolis, Indiana, US
60Win36–6–12 Jim HallKO48 Mar 1893Crescent City Club, New Orleans, Louisiana, USRetained world middleweight title;
A finish fight
59Win35–6–12 Jack BrittonRTD2 10 Dec 1892Newark, New Jersey, US
58Win34–6–12 Millard ZenderKO1 3 Sep 1892Anniston, Alabama, US
57Win33–6–12 Jerry SlatteryKO2 11 May 1892Miners 8th St Theater, New York City, New York, US
56Win32–6–12 Joe GodfreyRTD2 6 May 1892Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
55Win31–6–12 James FarrellKO2 29 Apr 1892Newark, New Jersey, US
54Win30–6–12 Thomas RobbinsRTD3 28 Apr 1892Newark, New Jersey, US
53Win29–6–12 Tom BurnsRTD3 28 Apr 1892Newark, New Jersey, US
52Win28–6–12 James MaloneRTD2 27 Apr 1892Newark, New Jersey, US
51Win27–6–12 Charles PuffKO2 26 Apr 1892Newark, New Jersey, US
50Win26–6–12 Peter MaherRTD122 Mar 1892Olympic Club, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA finish fight
49ND25–6–12 Harris MartinND41 May 1891Washington Rink, Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
48Win25–6–12 Abe CoughleTKO2 27 Apr 1891Battery D Armory, Chicago, Illinois, US
47Win24–6–12 Nonpareil DempseyRTD1314 Jan 1891Olympic Club, New Orleans, Louisiana, USWon world middleweight title;
A finish fight
46Win23–6–12 Arthur UphamKO928 Jul 1890Audubon Athletic Club, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA finish fight
45Win22–6–12 Billy McCarthyRTD1029 May 1890California Athletic Club, San Francisco, California, USA finish fight
44Win21–6–12 Frank AllenRTD1 17 May 1890California Athletic Club, San Francisco, California, US
43Win20–6–12 Professor Jack WestKO1 1 Mar 1890Foley's Hall, Sydney, Australia
42Win19–6–12 Edward Starlight RollinsTKO922 Feb 1890Foley's Hall, Sydney, AustraliaA finish fight
41Loss18–6–12 Jim HallKO4 11 Feb 1890Foley's Hall, Sydney, AustraliaFor Australian middleweight title
40Draw18–5–12 Edward Starlight RollinsNWS410 Feb 1890Foley's Hall, Sydney, Australia
39Win18–5–11 Dave ConwayKO4 1 Feb 1890Foley's Hall, Sydney, Australia
38Win17–5–11 Dick EllisRTD3 16 Dec 1889Royal Standard Theatre, Sydney, Australia
37Win16–5–11 Professor Jack WestKO1 30 Nov 1889Foley's Hall, Sydney, Australia
36Draw15–5–11 Pat KielyNWS426 Nov 1889Foley's Hall, Sydney, Australia
35Win15–5–10 Jim HallRTD5 19 Jan 1889Foley's Hall, Sydney, AustraliaWon Australian middleweight title
34Win14–5–10 McEwanNWS41 Dec 1888Foley's Hall, Sydney, Australia
33Draw13–5–10 Jim HallNWS424 Nov 1888Foley's Hall, Sydney, Australia
32Win13–5–9 Jim HallNWS410 Nov 1888Foley's Hall, Sydney, Australia
31ND12–5–9 Mick DooleyND41 May 1888Amateur Athletic Club, Sydney, Australia
30Draw12–5–9 Bill SlavinNWS417 Apr 1888Foley's Hall, Sydney, Australia
29Draw12–5–8 Bill SlavinNWS417 Mar 1888Foley's Hall, Sydney, Australia
28Win12–5–7 Bill SlavinTKO7 5 Mar 1888Foley's Hall, Sydney, Australia
27Draw11–5–7 Billy McCarthyNWS411 Feb 1888Foley's Hall, Sydney, Australia
26Draw11–5–6 Tom TaylorNWS426 Jan 1888Foley's Hall, Sydney, Australia
25Draw11–5–5 Dan HickeyPTS423 Jan 1888Centennial Hall, Sydney, Australia
24ND11–5–4 Frank SlavinND41 Jan 1888Foley's Hall, Sydney, Australia
23Win11–5–4 Dave TraversKO324 Sep 1887Foley's Hall, Sydney, AustraliaA finish fight
22Loss10–5–4 Jim HallNWS428 May 1887Foley's Hall, Sydney, Australia
21Win10–4–4 George EagerKO2 4 Apr 1887Foley's Hall, Sydney, Australia
20Win9–4–4 Bill SlavinTKO5 20 Mar 1887Foley's Hall, Sydney, Australia
19Win8–4–4 Dick SandallRTD4 1 Mar 1887Foley's Hall, Sydney, Australia
18Win7–4–4 George SealePTS415 Feb 1887Foley's Hall, Sydney, Australia
17Win6–4–4 Jack BonnerNWS412 Feb 1887Foley's Hall, Sydney, Australia
16Draw5–4–4 Frank SlavinNWS41 Jan 1887Foley's Hall, Sydney, Australia
15Draw5–4–3 Jack MalloyPTS44 Dec 1886Foley's Hall, Sydney, Australia
14ND5–4–2 McArdleND49 Oct 1886Foley's Hall, Sydney, Australia
13ND5–4–2 Australian Billy SmithND47 Oct 1886Foley's Hall, Sydney, Australia
12Loss5–4–2 Tom LeesNWS425 Aug 1886Foley's Hall, Sydney, Australia
11Win5–3–2 McArdleNWS47 Aug 1886Foley's Hall, Sydney, Australia
10Loss4–3–2 Mick DooleyNWS45 Jun 1886Foley's Hall, Sydney, Australia
9Loss4–2–2 Mick DooleyNWS42 Jun 1886Foley's Hall, Sydney, Australia
84–1–2 Steve O'DonnellND422 May 1886Foley's Hall, Sydney, Australia
7Loss4–1–2Mick Dooley3 15 May 1886Foley's Hall, Sydney, Australia
6Draw4–0–2BrinsleyNWS48 May 1886Foley's Hall, Sydney, Australia
5Draw4–0–1Pablo Fanque31 May 1886Foley's Hall, Sydney, Australia
4Win4–0Pablo FanqueKO2 2 Feb 1886The Green, Sydney, Australia
3Win3–0Jack GreentreeKO3 1 May 1885Foley's Hall, Sydney, AustraliaExact date unknown
2Win2–0Alf BrinsmeadKO2 1 Apr 1885Foley's Hall, Sydney, AustraliaExact date unknown
1Win1–0Joe Riddle41 Mar 1885Foley's Hall, Sydney, AustraliaExact date unknown

Titles in boxing

Major world titles

  • World middleweight champion
  • World light-heavyweight champion
  • World heavyweight champion

Regional/International titles

Amateur titles