Fitzsimmons - "The Fighting Blacksmith"
Born in Cornwall, but learnt to box in Timaru.
March 17, 1897 Bob Fitzsimmons, NZ, won world heavyweight boxing title, beating
Jim Corbett, U.S.A.
On 5 September, 1987, near the Stafford /Strathallan St. corner a life-size
bronze statue of Bob Fitzsimmons was unveiled. Commissioned and
donated by Sir Robert Jones and sculpted by Margriet Windhausen.
| BOB (RUBY ROBERT) FITZSIMMONS 1863 -------------1917 MIDDLEWEIGHT, LIGHT-WEIGHT & HEAVYWEIGHT BOXING CHAMPION OF THE WORLD ALTHOUGH BORN IN ENGLAND, FITZ' GREW UP IN TIMARU WHERE HE LEARNT TO BOX. DEFEATING ALL OPPONENTS, HE WAS OBLIGED TO TRAVEL ABROAD. IN 1891 HE BECAME WORLD MIDDLEWEIGHT CHAMPION. IN 1897, AT THE AGE OF 34, HE K.O.'D GENTLEMAN JIM CORBETT AT CARSON CITY, U.S.A. TO CAPTURE THE SPORTING WORLD'S GREATEST PRIZE, THE HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP. IN 1903 FITZ' WON THE LIGHT-HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE TO BECOME THE FIRST MAN EVER TO WIN THREE DIFFERENT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS WEIGHT DIVISIONS. FITZ' WILL ALWAYS REMAIN ONE OF OUR GREATEST SPORTING HEROES. THIS STATUE WAS COMMISSIONED BY BOB JONES AND DONATED TO THE CITY OF TIMARU IT WAS SCULPTURED BY MARGARET WINDHAUSEN VAN DEN BERGH IN INVERCARGILL AND FORMALLY UNVEILED BY THE PRIME MINISTER OF NEW ZEALAND THE RIGHT HON. DAVID LANGE ON THE 5TH SEPTEMBER 1987 |
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"Bob" Ruby Robert FITZSIMMONS 1862-1917
The New York Times Dec 16, 1917
Blacksmith's Shop in Timaru Still has Bob's Name on Sign.
While the memory of the late Bob Fitzsimmons will hardly be erased from the mind
of the sporting public for a long time in the United States, it is also being
fresh in the minds of the people who inhabit the antipodes. A citizen of New
York walking down the main street of Timaru, would be startled to read the sign
"Bob Fitzsimmons, Blacksmith," above one of the structures that line that
thoroughfare.
According to an account the proprietor of this blacksmith
shop, an old Irishman, has for years conducted the place and will not remove the
sign which Fitz put up when he started business in that very same spot. Timaru
is the place where Fitz broke into the boxing game. Jem Mace, the departed, who
was formerly champion of England, out Fitzsimmons on while the Mace fistic
combination was showing in the town. he whipped all of his opponents, and from
that night on he proved himself a fighter with a knockout punch. He was amateur
middleweight champion of Australia back in the early 80s. Fitz's birth record at
Helston, Cornwall, England -found he was a son of a policeman and wife who was
highly respected in the town. The birth record show that Fitz first saw the
light of day on May 26, 1863. The record books give Fitz's birthday as June 4
1862.
Bob Fitzsimmons' Record
Bob Fitzsimmons was born at Helston, Cornwall, England, on June 4 1862. He
was a fighter by inheritance, his father being the best man in a country famous
for fighters and wrestlers. He was the policeman of the little village of
Helston, and like the Irishman at Donnabrook fair, was ever wiling to take
off his coat and throw it on the grass for any one to tread on. Few essayed the
task. Bob's brothers, too, were all natural fighters, more especially William, a
marine in the royal navy, Arthur, a groom, and Gerratt, a blacksmith. Bob
migrated with his family to New Zealand when a small boy. He took to the
horseshoeing trade and learned the art of boxing from his brother Gerratt. His
first appearance in the ring was at Jem Mace's amateur boxing tournament held at
Timaru in the fall of 1880, Bob, although but a lad of 18 years, knocked out
four men on that night and won the amateur championship of New Zealand.
The following year Mace gave another tournament, and Bob,
succeeded in retaining the amateur championship, knocking out five men this
time. After defeating the amateurs Bob put on the gloves with Herbert A. Slade,
the Maori, who came over to America to fight John L. Sullivan. To the surprise
of everyone Fitzsimons succeeded in besting Slade, All of the contests were
under the Queensberry rules. Fitzsimmons then became a full-fledged
professional, and fought and defeated in rapid succession under prize ring rules
Arthur Cooper in three rounds, Jim Crawford in three rounds, and Jack Murphy in
four rounds. Bob took up at Sydney and immediately started to meet all comers at
the renowned Larry Foley's sporting emporium. First he defeated Jack Brinsmead,
a heavyweight who tipped the beam at 170, Bob only scaling 148 pounds.
Then next laid low, Martin Conway in 3 rounds, Dick Ellis in 3 rounds, Jim Hall,
Starlight, Professor West , a heavy weight in 1 round. He then came to the
States and defeated in rapid succession Bill McCarthy, an Australian, Arthur
Upham, Jack Dempsey. His last victory was over Peter Maher. ....Ref: The
Galveston Daily News, March 08, 1893; pg. 2. Hall-Fitzsimmons Fight
The Great Middleweight Championship Contest. Include fill sketch of Fitz.
Bob and his family came to NZ on the Adamant which
left Plymouth on July 16, 1873 and arrived in Lyttelton, NZ October 17, 1873.
The ships records show on board were James (father, a policeman, showing his age
as 50 though he was 60) Jane (mother, nee Strongman, age 44 though she was 54),
Margaret (20), Bessie. Z,(18) Catherine (12), Jarrett(22), and Bob (10). Bob was
educated at the Timaru Main School. James Fitzsimmons set up a blacksmith's
forge in Timaru and his boys Jarrett and Bob learnt the trade. Bob's work at the
forge developed the powerful arms and shoulders.
| Fitzsimmons, Jane Age at Death 90 Years Died 3rd April 1906 Timaru Cemetery Section GENERAL Block G Plot 282 |
Fitzsimmons, James Age at Death 89 Years Date of Interment 08/31/1898 Timaru Cemetery Section GENERAL Block G Plot 282 |
Fitzsimmons, James Scott Age at Death 49 Died July 10th 1919 Timaru Cemetery Section GENERAL Block G Plot 282 |
Fitzsimmons, George Age at Death 81 Date of Interment 08/08/1940 Timaru Cemetery Section GENERAL Block E2 Plot 303 |
Fitz won three world boxing titles including the world's heavyweight championship on 17 March, 1897 at Carson City, Nevada by defeating James "Jim" Corbett and the world's middle weight championship in New Orleans when he defeated Jack Dempsey on 14 January, 1891. In 1903 Fitz won the light-heavy weight title to become the first man ever to win three different world championship weight divisions. Born 14 June 1862 in Helston, Cornwall, England, he immigrated with his parents at the age of eleven and arrived to Lyttelton, New Zealand on October 17th 1873 and developed his physique at his father's blacksmith's forge at Timaru. One brother remained at home in Helston and later married. Died in October, 1917 in Chicago, Illinois with influenza during the flu epidemic.
Milwaukee Sentinel, (WI) Thursday, January 15, 1891
Dempsey Knocked out Bob Fitzsimmons Wins the Fight at New Orleans, Jan. 14.
The New Zealander wins $11,000 in the contest - 4.500 people pay 10 each to witness the match. He had the better of Dempsey from the beginning and knocked him out in the thirteenth round. Sketch of Fitz.
Rocky Mountain News, (Denver) Thursday, January 15, 1891; pg. 6
Champion No More Dempsey Meets a Man Who is Too Tall and Too Long Armed for Him Sketch of Fitz.
The Milwaukee Sentinel, (Milwaukee, WI) Thursday, March 03, 1892
Maher Badly Whipped Fitzsimmons a Winner in a Dozen Rattling Rounds
Peter Maher, of Ireland and Robert Fitzsimmons, the New Zealander, who is the middle weight champion of the world, met to-night before the Olympic club of New Orleans for a purse of $10,000, of which the loser gets $1,000, and Fitzsimmons won after twelve rounds of fast and furious fighting. Full sketch of Fitz.
The Milwaukee Sentinel, (WI) Thursday, March 09, 1893
One Tremendous Blow It Knocked Jim Hall Clean out in the Fourth Round. Fitzsimmons easily wins the$40,000 purse. One terrific right-hander does business and Hall is sent to the floor unconscious. Sketch of Fitz.
Weekly Rocky Mountain News, Thursday, June 10, 1897; pg. 8
The Fitzsimmons - Hall fight in New Orleans on March 8 1893. Four rounds, thirteen minutes. The size of the purse, which was never fully paid, caused the breaking up of the Club.
The Daily Picayune, (New Orleans, LA) Thursday, September 27, 1894
Now for Champion Corbett! Fitzsimmons Lays Creedom Low in a Round and a Half . Fitzsimmons goes right in to make a fight finish. Creedom stands like a man and lands. Still Fitzsimons is unconquered. Last night he polished off Dan Creedom in less than two rounds. 4 sketches.
The Galveston Daily News, October 04, 1894; pg. 2
That Championship The Olympic Club Notifies Corbett of Fitzsimmons’ Succession to the Title. At a regular meeting of the board of directors of the Olympic club held October 2 1894, a resolution was passed unanimously, declaring Robert Fitzsimmons the champion heavyweight of the world.
The Atchison Daily Globe, (Atchison, KS) Saturday, November 24, 1894; pg. 3
Fitz Very Formidable He Should Give Corbett the Battle of His Life. He is a physical phenomenon. measurements do not win battles but Bb Fitzimmons' (32) measurements, back by his wonderful record in the roped arena, lead me to believe that the red haired New Zealander will give Corbett (28) the battle of his life when they meet next year. Measurements. Waist 29¾, shoulders 20½, neck 14¾, chest normal 47 ¼ in, chest expanded 47¼ in, reach 31¼ in. height 5 feet 11¾ in. weight 165 pounds, thigh 20 inches....
Morning Oregonian, (Portland) Saturday, February 22, 1896
Corbett’s Turn Next, Fitzsimmons Whipped Maher, and is Now the Champion
The Milwaukee Journal, (WI) November 26, 1896; pg. 8
Fitz, The Lanky Wonder. The Sharkey-Fitzsimmons Fight will come off Dec. 20. The purse is fixed at $10,000. The fight is set down for ten rounds. Sketch of Fitz. California Club, San Francisco.
Salt Lake Semi-Weekly Tribune, December 04, 1896; pg. 3
Sharkey Won on Foul, The Fight Was Fitzsimmons’s from Beginning
The Denver Evening Post March 17, 1897; pg. 8
Story of the Preparations for the Big Fight Told with Type and Pictures
Sketch of Mrs Bob Fitzsimmons
The Milwaukee Sentinel, March 18, 1897
Carson, Nev. March. 17. Fitz Wins, 14 Rounds James J. Corbett is Now Ex-champion. A blow over the heart sent him down. Mrs Fitzsimmons sits at the ringside behind her bloody husband shouting words of encouragement to him and showering Corbett with coarse abuse. James J. Corbett was whipped in fourteen rounds by Robert Fitzsimmons. The decisive blow was a left swing on the pit of Corbett's stomach. The kinetoscope should net $100,000 to each pugilist. There were about twenty women present. Fitzsimmons weighed 167 and Corbett 183 pounds. Mrs Fitzsimmons is also pale-faced, but sits Spartan-like behind her bloody husband. One of the most dramatic features of the battle was the part Mrs Fitzsimmons played in the victory of her husband. Never before in the history of the prize ring has a woman witnessed the struggle of her husband for pugilistic honors and the new champion's wife to-day established a precedent which hardly ever be equaled. She was vigorously cheered when she entered the area and appeared self-contained and unconcerned as she took her seat almost under a chair near Bob's corner. She came down the slope from his dressing room, Fitzsimmons stopped for a moment at his wife's side and stooping kissed her as she said cheerily; "Good luck to you, Bob." For the first few rounds she sat quietly, but as the rounds became hotter her excitement mastered her and for the reminder of the battle she stood upon the floor or chair, excitedly encouraging her husband, or hurling reproaches and instructions at his seconds. At every blow which her laky spouse received from his antagonist her eyes bulged out and with her fists clenched she cried: "The hound." "The puppy," "the puppy." "Punch him Bob," "Kill him." "Make him keep punching Corbett's wind and he will win," she screamed. "You idiots, don't you know how to second a man? You have lost your senses. Do you want to defeat my husband. Do as I tell you how or I'll make you wish you had." Her cheeks were fiery red. When the end came and Corbett stayed upon his knees until the fatal ten had been counted, Mrs Fitsimmons went almost mad with joy. "Now Bob and the baby and I will settle down to a more quiet life" He says he will fight no more battles. Fitzsimmons will retire. Payout $20,000.
The Daily Picayune, (New Orleans) June 10, 1899
Coney Island. Fitzsimmons Met Defeat James J. Jeffries (24), of California, Now the Ring Champion
New York, June 9 - Fitzsimmons, old fighting dog that he is, went once too often to the ring, and last night Jeffries, the Californian boilermaker, knocked him out after a terrific battle, in the eleventh round.
Timaru Herald
August 1898 Death:
FITZSIMMONS. On August 29th, at his residence, Grey Road, Timaru, James Fitzsimmons, aged 89 years.
July 1897 Marriage:
CAIRD - FITZSIMMONS. On 28th July, at the Manse, Timaru, by the Rev. W. Gillies, David, eldest son of David Caird, Esq., Pareora, to Agnes Jane, eldest daughter of J. Fitzsimmons, Timaru.
Friday 14 October 1887 Death
FITZSIMMONS - On Oct. 13th, at Theodocia Street, Timaru, Matilda, the beloved wife of Jarrett Fitzsimmons; aged 37 years.
June 22 1887 pg2
The Jubilee procession Timaru. The following veterans turned out: J. Fitzsimmons, late of Enniskilleners
Brooklyn Daily Standard Union May 7 1906
FITZSIMMONS' MOTHER DIES IN NEW ZEALAND.
"Bob" Fitzsimmons yesterday received news that his mother is dead at the age of ninety at her home in Timaru, New Zealand. The news came in a copy of the "New Zealand Times" of Friday, April 6, in which it is stated that Mrs. Fitzsimmons died Wednesday, April 4.
The Times, Tuesday, Oct 23, 1917; pg. 11
Death Of Fitzsimmons. Old Boxing Memories. Obituaries - His last battle.
The Book of Helston. In it there is a bit about Bob. I quote:
"Upper Wendron Street......there is the lovely 17th century thatched cottage - birthplace of the famous boxer Bob (Ruby Robert) Fitzsimmons (although some elderly people claim that he was not born here at all, but near the bottom of town). The plaque over the door recounts how, in 1887, at the age of 34, Fitzsimmons knocked out Gentleman Jim Corbett at Carson City, USA., to become heavyweight champion of the world. Also middleweight and light-heavyweight champion, Fitzsimmons was the first man to become a triple title holder. When the family went to Timaru, South Island, New Zealand, one brother remained at home and married into the Lander family.
Kid from Timaru
James Michael Hagerty, otherwise known as Kid Hagerty, of Timaru. Hagerty was a professional jockey who won fame as a boxer before World War I by winning Australasian amateur and New Zealand professional feather weight and lightweight titles. The son of a Timaru surveyor, he stood a mere 5ft 3in and made up for this lack of height by virtually leaping at his opponents to land punches. He was one of several boxing champions trained in Timaru by Jack Fitzsimmons, a nephew of the former world heavyweight champion Bob Fitzsimmons. With the outbreak of war, Hagerty joined the South Canterbury Mounted Rifles. Song
A local book
Fitzsimmons : boxing's first triple world champion / Christopher Tobin.
Author: Tobin, Christopher. Publisher: Timaru, N.Z. : David A. Jack and C.P. Tobin, c2000. 56 p. : ill., facsims., ports. ; 29 cm. "First published 1983. This is a special collector's hardback edition limited to 500 copies" Includes bibliographical references (p. 55). ISBN: 0473065940 (hbk.)
The Sculptor
Margriet Windhausen, born in Roermond, The Netherlands, trained at the Maastricht Academy of Fine Arts in the Netherlands. Moved to New Zealand in 1976, eventually settling in Maungati near Timaru. Besides teaching art and sculpture, has completed many commissioned works for public and private collections. Better known for monumental public bronzes like the Abel Tasman Memorial (1992) on Lambton Quay, Wellington, and the Kate Sheppard Memorial (1993) in Christchurch. Teaches at Roncalli College, Timaru. Jack Lovelock Statue. bio. Waikato Museum Artist Statement: Like farming, art is a way of life.
A Poem by K.R. Thoms, of Timaru, New Zealand.
BOB FITZSIMMONS
Although a humble blacksmith
He surely staked his claim
This man called Bob Fitzsimmons
To the halls of boxing fame.
While sweating o'er his anvil
He gained the strength and power
Soon carried into boxing
That brought his finest hour.
He fought for fame and glory
Also, New Zealand too
When he won his three world titles
This man from Timaru.
Now he stands here everlasting
A champion from the past
This son from our fair city
A credit to his craft.
He leaves behind a legacy
For the future to instill
The need to fight on boldly
With a courage and a will.
Bob Fitzsimmons, Jack Lovelock and the big chestnut gelding Phar Lap rank alongside as Timaru champions who remain legends long after their deaths.