Bob Fitzsimmons Appreciation Thread

Seamus · 05-13-2010, 11:31 AM

Truly one of most fascinating fighters in the history of the sport. I tend to think that with a little adjustment in techniques his talent would translate very well to any era. The extraordinary nature of his power is beyond dispute. It is unearthly. Along with Langford, he represents the best of the post-John L pre Dempsey era (and I know that he crossed over both).

Since most of our film of him is when he is already old, and largely are reenactments, I would like to hear opinions on his style, and perhaps analogous fighters later in history.

McGrain · 05-13-2010, 11:48 AM

He used to crack walnuts with his buttocks.

bodhi · 05-13-2010, 11:51 AM

I don´t think there was any fighter similar to him, he was very unusual with his style. Worked for him though.

McGrain · 05-13-2010, 11:52 AM

GPater will have plenty to say about this.

Duodenum · 05-13-2010, 12:09 PM

He debuted at around 25, was already approaching 30 when Corbett dethroned Sullivan, pushing 34 when he lifted that title for himself in Carson City, and 40 when he decisioned Gardner for his third world title. The decision over Gardner and subsequent draw with O'Brien demonstrate qualities in his boxing technique beyond knockout power. Fitz was idolized by Gans.

Dunkhorst and Ruhlin showed how he could dispatch heavyweights. Many decades later, Mike Spinks went from 170 pounds against David Sears to a history making showdown with Holmes two fights later, and startled the world with his viability as a heavyweight.

Walker has been credited as being the only welterweight champion to ever become a heavyweight contender, but Fitz weighed only 150 when he stopped The Nonpareil. Exactly when was his peak, and at what age?

McGrain · 05-13-2010, 12:15 PM

Yeah, I think you could make a very good case for Fitz being at his very best in a head to head sense the night he thrashed NP. I mean that was a destruction. That was not competitive. And although he wasn't what he once was, NP was regarded as #1 going in and still the #2 coming out. Fitz was awesome.

SuzieQ49 · 05-13-2010, 12:32 PM

Fitz was a great puncher p4p. He would set you up with a trap like archie moore then pounce on your weak spot before you know what hit you.

Just curious though, how many top rated black fighters did Fitzsimmons take on? he seemed to have drawn the color line. I know fitz fought 4 black fighters, but I don't think any of them amounted too much. I tend to not rate old time white fighters highly who did not take on top black fighters.

GPater11093 · 05-13-2010, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by McGrain

GPater will have plenty to say about this.

I'm here. Just away out soon, so just wanted to say this is a great thread and I will be back.

SuzieQ49 · 05-13-2010, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GPater11093

I'm here. Just away out soon, so just wanted to say this is a great thread and I will be back.

You like Fitzsimmons huh?

TheGreatA · 05-13-2010, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SuzieQ49

Fitz was a great puncher p4p. He would set you up with a trap like archie moore then pounce on your weak spot before you know what hit you.

Just curious though, how many top rated black fighters did Fitzsimmons take on? he seemed to have drawn the color line. I know fitz fought 4 black fighters, but I don't think any of them amounted too much. I tend to not rate old time white fighters highly who did not take on top black fighters.

Atleast he said that he didn't draw the "color line".

GPater11093 · 05-13-2010, 01:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SuzieQ49

You like Fitzsimmons huh?

Yes.

Such an interesting character in and out of the ring. His style was completly unorthodox and nothing has ever been seen even remotely similar since. as McGrain puts it he was a 'trapsmith', he lured his opponent in and landed brutal counter-punches.

SuzieQ49 · 05-13-2010, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GPater11093

Yes.

Such an interesting character in and out of the ring. His style was completly unorthodox and nothing has ever been seen even remotely similar since. as McGrain puts it he was a 'trapsmith', he lured his opponent in and landed brutal counter-punches.

O rly? what film of him that you've seen with your eyes draws you to this conclusion?

GPater11093 · 05-13-2010, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SuzieQ49

O rly? what film of him that you've seen with your eyes draws you to this conclusion?

The film we have of him, shows a very distinct and odd style. The Corbett fight attests to this, as well as the Lang fight, purely from a stylistic sense.

turpinr · 05-13-2010, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GPater11093

The film we have of him, shows a very distinct and odd style. The Corbett fight attests to this, as well as the Lang fight, purely from a stylistic sense.

the man in your avatar was leagues ahead of fitzsimmons in my opinion

Seamus · 05-13-2010, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SuzieQ49

Fitz was a great puncher p4p. He would set you up with a trap like archie moore then pounce on your weak spot before you know what hit you.

Just curious though, how many top rated black fighters did Fitzsimmons take on? he seemed to have drawn the color line. I know fitz fought 4 black fighters, but I don't think any of them amounted too much. I tend to not rate old time white fighters highly who did not take on top black fighters.

That's an easy out for dismissing him. However, I don't see anyone, outside of Peter Jackson, who really strikes me as an omission in his record. Who did he duck, perchance? I'm not as aware of the potential middles he might have missed. And out of curiosity, do the black fighters get more credit in your book just because they were black?

05-13-2010, 11:31 AM	#1
Seamus Undisputed Champion East Side VIP Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Lisboa, Portugal Posts: 10,084 vCash: 1000	Bob Fitzsimmons Appreciation Thread Truly one of most fascinating fighters in the history of the sport. I tend to think that with a little adjustment in techniques his talent would translate very well to any era. The extraordinary nature of his power is beyond dispute. It is unearthly. Along with Langford, he represents the best of the post-John L pre Dempsey era (and I know that he crossed over both). Since most of our film of him is when he is already old, and largely are reenactments, I would like to hear opinions on his style, and perhaps analogous fighters later in history.
Top

05-13-2010, 11:48 AM	#2
McGrain Diamond Dog East Side VIP Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 63,252 vCash: 1000	Re: Bob Fitzsimmons Appreciation Thread He used to crack walnuts with his buttocks.
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05-13-2010, 11:51 AM	#3
bodhi So I can die easy ... East Side VIP Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 21,759 vCash: 1337	Re: Bob Fitzsimmons Appreciation Thread I don´t think there was any fighter similar to him, he was very unusual with his style. Worked for him though.
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05-13-2010, 11:52 AM	#4
McGrain Diamond Dog East Side VIP Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 63,252 vCash: 1000	Re: Bob Fitzsimmons Appreciation Thread GPater will have plenty to say about this.
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05-13-2010, 12:09 PM	#5
Duodenum Champion East Side Guru Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 6,700 vCash: 1000	Re: Bob Fitzsimmons Appreciation Thread He debuted at around 25, was already approaching 30 when Corbett dethroned Sullivan, pushing 34 when he lifted that title for himself in Carson City, and 40 when he decisioned Gardner for his third world title. The decision over Gardner and subsequent draw with O'Brien demonstrate qualities in his boxing technique beyond knockout power. Fitz was idolized by Gans. Dunkhorst and Ruhlin showed how he could dispatch heavyweights. Many decades later, Mike Spinks went from 170 pounds against David Sears to a history making showdown with Holmes two fights later, and startled the world with his viability as a heavyweight. Walker has been credited as being the only welterweight champion to ever become a heavyweight contender, but Fitz weighed only 150 when he stopped The Nonpareil. Exactly when was his peak, and at what age?
Top

05-13-2010, 12:15 PM	#6
McGrain Diamond Dog East Side VIP Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 63,252 vCash: 1000	Re: Bob Fitzsimmons Appreciation Thread Yeah, I think you could make a very good case for Fitz being at his very best in a head to head sense the night he thrashed NP. I mean that was a destruction. That was not competitive. And although he wasn't what he once was, NP was regarded as #1 going in and still the #2 coming out. Fitz was awesome.
Top

05-13-2010, 12:32 PM	#7
SuzieQ49 Undisputed Champion East Side VIP Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Boston, Ma Posts: 12,959 vCash: 1000	Re: Bob Fitzsimmons Appreciation Thread Fitz was a great puncher p4p. He would set you up with a trap like archie moore then pounce on your weak spot before you know what hit you. Just curious though, how many top rated black fighters did Fitzsimmons take on? he seemed to have drawn the color line. I know fitz fought 4 black fighters, but I don't think any of them amounted too much. I tend to not rate old time white fighters highly who did not take on top black fighters.
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