BoxRec

I'm searching for information about Sweden's first prize/profighter Hjalmar Olsson (1864-1927).
In the US he fought under the name of Jack Campbell. Debut in October 1882 against Ed Chambers. Among his many opponents were Young Mitchell, California Jack Dempsey, Young Jack Dempsey, Billy Mahan, Joe Soto, Billy Hamilton, Van Heest, Red Strauss. And many more.
He fought all over the States, i.e. California, Washington, Nevada, Illinois, Minnesota, New York, and even in Great Britain.
John Maynard was his manager.
Most, but not all, of his fight's belonged in the bare-knuckle area. So far only two fights are noted on BoxRec for Jack Campbell http://boxrec.com/boxer/162067.

Is there anyone out there who is familiar with the prizefighting scene in California, and can assist me?

You can see his gravestone on my website http://www.mrboxhist.se

According to a report in the January 10, 1885 edition of the San Francisco Chronicle on Newspapers.com, Jack Campbell, the featherweight champion of the Pacific Coast, and Joe Soto fought for a purse of fifty dollars at Harry Maynard's the previous night. It appeared that Campbell outweighed Soto by seven or eight pounds with Soto weighing "only 118 pounds."

The first round featured "little but sparring" with Soto displaying agility. In the second round, Soto seemed to have a shortness of breath and went down twice. While doing a little better and displaying some good fighting in the third round, Soto still seemed to be overmatched. When Soto came out gamely for the fourth round, Campbell almost immediately landed a right hand squarely on Soto's face, flooring him. Soto was unable to get up in time, resulting in Campbell being "declared the winner on a square knock-out." Note- I can't tell if the bout was staged under the London Prize Ring Rules or the Marquis of Queensbury Rules.

- Chuck Johnston

According to the Sportman's Niche column in the February 3, 1885 edition of the San Francisco Chronicle on Newspapers.com, Jack Campbell, the featherweight champion, and Jack "Dempsy" had signed articles for a fight to a finish at Maynard's on Friday night, the 13th of February, for a purse of one hundred dollars.

- Chuck Johnston