Apparently Fitz badly hurt Johnson in the first round of their 1907 encounter, how does a prime-for-prime match in a fight to the finish go?
Never heard that. Johnson considered Fitz the best heavyweight prior to himself. Jack Johnson stopped Bob Fitzsimmons in the second round of a six-round boxing bout before the Washington Sporting Club tonight. Fitzsimmons did not show a trace of his former prowess and it is probable that Johnson could have stopped him in the opening round if he had cared to do so. The blow that put Fitzsimmons out was a light right to the jaw. The old man fell to the floor and, as he made no attempt to rise, the referee stopped the bout. The hissing which usually follows knockouts of this character was absent, the spectators evidently taking compassion on the former pugilistic star. Referee Keenan refused to act in the ring, because he had heard that Fitzsimmons had a badly sprained arm. The manager of the club then entered the ring and watched the uneven match. In the opening round, Johnson tapped Fitz when and where he chose, but the latter was unable to even land his famous counters." (Associated Press)
Seems like I misspoke then, however it still does seem like Bob made a good account of himself in r1. Johnson seemed overanxious by comparison, as though he wouldn’t take any chances with the wily old coot. This content is protected
Yeah, I hadn’t heard that either. The only thing Johnson said re a Fitz left that missed was that it hummed by him like a swarm of bees. Hyperbole of course but a genuine compliment to the man and the fighter that Fitz once was. The fight reports don’t read as if Fitz was genuinely up for the match - not that it would’ve made any difference - perhaps he chose to spare himself inevitable harm.
Fitz was in his 40s at this point Johnson would have beaten Fitz even if his arm wasn't injured at this point. Earlier in his career, I can see Fitz putting Jack down like Choynski did.
