Fighting Bob Fitzsimmon's 1901 boxing book

[twotontony]

Physical Culture And Self Defense. I've just skimmed it so far. Check out those photos - he's the only guy I've ever seen demonstrating boxing moves in a pinstripe suit with tie and cravat and wearing a derby! I also read about his fight with Gentleman Jim Corbett who, it seems, was no gentleman at all.

http://www.lulu.com/items/volume_62/192 ... e-lulu.pdf

[HomicideHenry]

Jim Corbett was a racist man, for starters. Also, outside the ring, the man was just as rowdy and crude as Sullivan and his predecessors, the only difference being is that Corbett had enough sense about him to convay this appearance of being a Gentleman to the press, where he knew that his image, least the act he portrayed, would send faster than anything he done in private or in public. He also knew alot of dirty tricks in the ring, and dont let anyone fool you into thinking he was just a great scientific boxer, he would use anything in his power to maim, and get the upper hand over his opponent.

[twotontony]

Boxing was rough and tumble back then, plus it was illegal in most places. It may even have been almost one half as crooked as it is now. Anyway, after Fitz knocked out two of Corbett's gold teeth and won and whilst he was being congratulated in his corner Corbett jumped him from behind and commenced slugging him and then he told him that if he won't give him a rematch he would meet him on the street and beat him to death. Fitz responded, "Jim, if you try that I will kill you."

[observer1]

Indeed, "Gentleman" Corbett was nothing close to being a gentleman. He was a bitter and racist bigot.

Pretty satisfying knowing he was in Jefferies corner whilst jefferies got humiliated from the big, black and better Jack Jonhnson to become the first black World HW champ.

Nothing but a big joke

[BroughtonRulesRefuge]

He also knew alot of dirty tricks in the ring, and dont let anyone fool you into thinking he was just a great scientific boxer, he would use anything in his power to maim, and get the upper hand over his opponent.

- Gee, sounds like every heavy champ in history not named Louis or Klitschko.

I'd rather have Jack Dempsey's primer on self defense. Goes over a lot of real life situations that the average person would find himself in today. Scenario analysis, techniques, and basic philosophy of self defense and how to stay out of trouble.

Oh, in the pics of Corbett pulling the guy's jacket down over his arms, you can see a large African Lion laying on the porch looking very, very interested in the proceedings. Wonder if they had the big fella on a chain?

[twotontony]

- Gee, sounds like every heavy champ in history not named Louis or Klitschko.

I could tell you something about Louis' dirty tricks.

I'd rather have Jack Dempsey's primer on self defense.

http://livesafely.org/documents/champio ... ghting.pdf

Goes over a lot of real life situations that the average person would find himself in today. Scenario analysis, techniques, and basic philosophy of self defense and how to stay out of trouble.

Oh, in the pics of Corbett pulling the guy's jacket down over his arms, you can see a large African Lion laying on the porch looking very, very interested in the proceedings. Wonder if they had the big fella on a chain?

Holy mackerel! I think that might be a tiger - but I'm so unobservant I didn't even notice it!

[tonyevs]

In todays era Corbett would undoubtly be called a racist .. but in his defence - Corbett was merely a product of his time ..

And he definetly was 100% a fighting man, never as crude as sullivan - though not short on the courage and temperament needed and displayed by other title claimants past and present.

His autobiography makes excellent reading.

[twotontony]

The word "racist" wasn't even invented until the 1930's. Before that they had another word, "racialist", invented in 1915. Re Webster's Collegiate Dictionary.

[twotontony]

Corbett: Same place I found Fitzsimmons' book also has Corbett's book for free download - Scientific Boxing, by James J. Corbett, 1912

http://www.lulu.com/content/paperback-b ... es/2165637

[twotontony]

Skimmed Corbett's book (Fitzsimmons' is better). He says these are the official Police Gazette weight classes:

Heavyweight over 158 lbs., Middleweight 140-158; Lightweight under 140.

There are more amateur weight classes:

Heavy also over 158; middle also 140-158; lightweight 116-135; featherweight 105-115; bantamweight 105 or less