Fitzsimmons beat two top contenders Ruhlin and Sharkey two weeks apart in August 1900, then had to wait until July 1902 for a shot at Jeffries. Ruhlin actually got a shot at Jeffries in the meantime. What caused the delay in Fitzsimmons getting his shot at the man who dethroned him ?
Who benefited the most from the delay, Jeffries or the twelve years older Fitzsimmons? After Fitz ko'd Sharkey he walked over to the ropes and looking down at Jeffries seated ringside,he shouted to him,"You'll give me a a fight now Jeff,wont you? Get up and shake on it".Jeffries remained seated but after the crowd took up a chant in support of Fitzsimmons he reluctantly arose and shook Fitz's hand promising him a title shot. Which he duly got . TWO YEARS LATER. Fitz gave an interview to the papers stating that " I have the promise of a title chance from Jeffries and I will be ready to face him within the next six months.To tell the truth I took him lightly the first time and had been inactive for 2 years this time I will be ready".
After their second fight the press was unanimous in saying that had Fitz been Jeffries age and near his size he would undoubtedly have won. Fitz smashed his already bad hands on Jeffries face dealing out frightful punishment,breaking his nose and creating deep cuts over and under both eyes.We must credit jeffries for absorbing the punishment and walking through it,he undoubtedly had a great chin.
That's the reason I have so much respect for the pioneers and old timers, the guys would have tear ups sometimes not even weeks, just days apart! Corbett, Jackson, Sullivan, Kilrain, Fitz, Jeffries and many more were simply made from a different breed from the current crop
Fights vs Sharkey, Corbett, and Ruhlin happened after Jeffries defeated Fitzsimmons for the title. From 1899-1901, Jeffries cleaned out the division. Fitz had to earn his way back and he did. Why the delay? Fitz was not the easiest guy to negotiate with. Fitzsimmons has no recorded fighting in 1901...he could have stayed active to help his case. But he got his re-match in 1902. Jeffries transformed heavyweight champions by fighting the best out there for the most part and giving re-matches. Burns pretty much avoided all top contenders, and Johnson avoided his top 3-4 contenders from 1909-1914 never giving McVey, Langford, or Jeanette, a re-match. He didn't re-match O'Brien or Jim Johnson either, both drew with him. Well, Johnson did sign to meet Langford as a champion but pulled out of a signed contract.
It depends on how you look at it. I have read Fitzsimmons was difficult to negotiate with. If he eased up on demands and the money was greater, it is logical to assume the fight could have been made sooner. After beating Sharkey, and Ruhlin, Fitzsimmons was next in line in 1902. Only 8 months passed between Ruhlin and Fitzsimmons. Jeffries wan't Ruhlin next to avenge a dubious draw where Ruhlin was down twice and was saved by the bell out on his back in the final round. The crowd did not like this decision. Clearly, Fitzsimmons had a lot left and gave a good effort in 1902. He came back from the KO loss, beating a very good Geroge Gardiner in 1903, and Jack O'Brien in 1904. So anyone who thinks Fitzsimmons was in decline in 1902 doesn't know what he's talking about. Fighters in decline to not kill opponents, and beat two top ten rated opponents back to back. Fitz began to decline in 1905, three years after his re-match with Jeffries. Like I said before, Fitzsimmons was inactive in 1901 ( Possibly he knew he'd get Jeffries next )
Seems to me that it's probably the same reason that Canelo took so many years to finally hit it off with GGG, similar to Mayweather with Pac, although the drug testimg might have also complicated things and probably the same reason Joshua won't be fighting Wilder for at least another year or maybe longer. Seems Jeffries may have been waiting for Fitz's fighting abilities to decline a little bit more before he got back in the ring with him. No shame in that at all, boxing has been full of careful matchmaking way before modern times, however the best meeting the best is at an all time low frequency.