Description

Born June 4, 1862, Robert Fitzsimmons began boxing first as an amateur in New Zealand and Australia, defeating four men in his debut. He quickly transitioned to professional and in the late 19th Century met and defeated numerous well known champions of the day including Dempsey, Maher, Hall, Creedon, Corbett, Ruhlin, Sharkey, “and others of like note…” retaining and defending the Heavy-Weight title until June 9, 1899. In retired life, Fitzsimmons taught Boxing, Self-Defense, and Physical Fitness, then known as “Physical Culture.” In 1901, he published his Fitness and Boxing manual titled “Physical Culture and Self Defense” which included material from earlier articles he had written.