Corbett Fitzsimmons, why you don't trust weights given in that era

A lot of people here quote weights for fighters from the 1880s, 1890s and early 1900s, when there were no formal weigh ins, as if the figures were gospel.

My purpose in this thread, is to show you that these figures are very unreliable, using the Corbett Fitzsimmons title fight as an example:

"Fitzsimmons has kept his weight a close secret. That he is several pounds lighter than the champion, is evident at a glance, but he doesn't weigh under 170 today according to the opinion of experts who have looked him over."

New York World March 16

"The stories of the weight of Fitzsimmons at ringside have been very conflicting, but the probabilities are now that he will weigh not far from 160 pounds, and according to the assertions of the men in his camp he will be rather over than under that figure."

Rocky Mountain news March 16

Muldoon estimated Fitzsimmons weight at 162 lbs and said:

"Of course neither of the contestants will tell you what he weighs, but I should say that Corbett is at least 15 lbs heavier."

New York Journal March 17

"Fitzsimmons weight is estimated at 165 lbs, although Julian said today that he will be heavier than that, or between 170 ans 180."

Rocky Mountain News March 17

"Corbett will enter the ring today close to 180 lbs, while Fitz will tip the scales at 168."

Reno Evening Gazette March 17

Referee Siler said that Fitz weighed 157.5 pounds to Corbett's 188.

Fitzsimmons himself claimed that he weighed 156.5 to Corbett's 187.

San Francisco examiner March 18

Corbett claimed in his autobiography that Fitz weighed 172.

"Referee Siler gave Fitzsimmons weight as 158, but the general belief is it was nearer 165."

Rocky Mountain News March 21

"Although Fitz's weight was given at 158, he looked to be 163-165."

Salt Lake Herald March 19

You get the general idea!

 

Depending upon who you believe, Fitzsimmons came into the fight as light as 155 lbs, or as heavy as 175 lbs.

It is seems that Corbett was around the mid 180s.

 

No, they were probably just told a figure, and took it at face value.

 

Not at all.

I either conclude that a weigh in is reliable, or that it is not reliable.

Anything involving Fitzsimmons is pretty darn unreliable.

 

I am not certain what the motivation was.

What I do know is that Fitzsimmons was accused of misreporting his weight throughout his career.

It wasn't just the odd person here or there, it was a recurring theme in the reporting of his fights.

Perhaps he wished to lull his opponents into a false sense of security, or perhaps he simply didn't want them to know.

Either way, there are too many conflicting accounts, to resolve to one position on the matter.

 

It wasn't the promoter's call.

The fighter and their team would say what the weight was.

 

Let's start with a primary source explaining exactly what happened.