Bob Fitzsimmons vs. Joe Choynski

Bob Fitzsimmons 175 lbs drew with Joe Choynski 162 lbs by PTS in round 5 of 8

• Date: 1894-06-18
• Location: Boston Theater, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
• Referee: Bill Daly

"But for police interference Bob Fitzsimmons would have signally defeated Joe Choynski last night at the Boston Theatre. The decision was a draw. Joe was the victim of abuse administered by Fitz to such an extent that he was knocked down three times in the last round, and when Sgt. Sullivan and Capt. Warren of Station 4 walked into the arena Choynski was helpless on the ropes. The 5th had gone on 1:40 when it was stopped. Fitz had Choynski on the ropes and ready to give him the last punches when Referee Daly went over and separated the men. This he shouldn't have done, in the opinion of many there. These men claim that he saved Choynski from defeat. Just after he separated the men, Sgt. Sullivan, followed by a half-dozen bluecoats, leaped on the stage, with Capt. Warren outside of the ring. The edict went forth that the battle should stop, and according to the articles was declared a draw, as there was a clause calling for such a decision, in case of police interference, provided both men were on their feet." -The Boston Post

• This bout was scheduled for 8 rounds.
• The Boston Post stated that Fitz was down in the 2nd round from a left hook to the jaw for six seconds. The Boston Globe and the Lowell Sun reported that this knockdown took place in the 3rd round.
• The Globe reported that the 3rd round was shortened by the police by 15 seconds, but the Sun stated it was the 4th round by 30 seconds. Both reasons were due to a boisterous crowd.
• The Post stated that Joe was down 5 times in the 4th round. The Globe said he was down twice and the Sun wrote he was down 4 times.
• The Post reported that Joe was down 3 times in the 5th, although the Sun and the Post stated he was down twice.
• The attendance was reported as 1400 by the Post, between 2500-3000 by the Globe and no less than 3000 by the Sun.
• The Boston Globe wrote: "Had Fitsimmons agreed to articles originally framed, which stipulated that a decision must be given, he would probably have fared better, but he insisted that the articles should be to the effect that unless there was a knockout the bout must be called a draw."