Boxing History

The Heavyweight Title Fight That Was Also The First Full Length Motion Picture

The Heavyweight Title Fight That Was Also The First Full Length Motion Picture
By: Sean Crose

James J Corbett ruled supreme after besting John L Sullivan in 1892 in order to win the heavyweight championship of the world. Indeed, Corbett did not come across as a run of the mill boxer. Or at least he didn’t WANT to come across that way. Here, after all, was a pro fighter who went by the name of “Gentleman Jim,” and who had a reputation for using slickness and smarts to defeat opponents. No doubt, some felt Corbett gave his profession some legitimacy, as he came across as a sportsman as opposed to a brawler. Image is far from everything, though, and Corbett was champion for a reason – namely, that he was a top level ring tactician.

Footwork, timing, well placed jabs, defensive prowess, these were all things that led Corbett to rise above the pack when it came to boxing. And, unlike Sullivan, the man he had bested, Corbett didn’t seem intent on abusing himself by drinking all the way to the edge of the abyss. Here, in a sense, was a consummate professional. Yet Corbett was more than just temperate and skilled. The guy was tough as nails when the situation called for it. When Corbett had faced Peter Jackson, for instance, he had to become brutally aggressive in order to pull out a draw from the jaws of defeat.

In other words, there was more to Corbett than just the glistening image he presented to the world. No doubt, however, that Bob Fitzimmons was aware of the real threat Corbett presented in the ring. Like Corbett and Sullivan before him, Fitzimmons – himself a product of England and New Zealand – was of Irish stock. According to the International Boxing Hall of Fame, Fitzimmons also worked as a blacksmith and carriage painter. The man made his name, however, as a boxer.

After making his presence felt in Australia, Fitzimmons came to the States, where he eventually won the middleweight championship. He defended his middleweight crown a single time before setting his sights on the biggest prize of all – the heavyweight championship, currently in the possession of Gentleman Jim. A date was settled for the two men to meet in the ring: March 17th, 1897, Saint Patrick’s Day. The bout would be held outdoors, in Carson City, Nevada. The referee would be none other than the legendary Western gunfighter Bat Masterson. And if that weren’t enough, the bout would be recorded as a motion picture.

Movies were a new phenomenon at the time, to be sure. In fact, feature length motion pictures as we know them today had yet to make their entrance into popular culture. That, however, was all about to change, for the complete film recording of Corbett-Fitzimmons would later be shown throughout the nation to fans and the curious alike. For the first time in history, people who weren’t at a sporting event live and in person could see that event as it had happened – albeit in crude black and white. What’s more, the public would find itself being presented with moving pictures that ran on for more than a brief amount of time. A new age was about to dawn.

In spite of all the big name and high tech accompaniment, however Fitzimmon’s bold dash at glory may have come across like a fool’s dream in the lead up to the bout. Fitzimmons was over thirty when he stepped into the ring with Corbett.

What’s more, he weighed over fifteen pounds less than the champion – who himself was a very small heavyweight. No matter. The lean man with the red hair and a thunderous punch was nothing if not determined. According to Robert H Davis, Fitzimmons trained hard, extremely hard – in camp, focusing particularly on roadwork. His endurance would not be an issue.

As for Corbett, the man arguably still knew the value of holding a mental edge over his opponent. Shortly before the fight, both he and Fitzimmons, along with their respective camps, met on a road near Fitzimmons’ training facility. As Davis tells it, both men went to shake hands, only for Corbett to pull his hand away. It was a small matter, true, but fights can be settled on such small matters. Corbett had now lodged himself inside Fitzimmons’ head thanks to perhaps a slight bit of mastery that ultimately shouldn’t have mattered in the least.

Once the two men met in the ring for the fight, however, it was Fitzimmons who refused to shake hands with Corbett.

Mental chess, it seemed, could be played by two. Besides, who knew whether or not Corbett would snatch his hand away again?

Soon, however, all petty matters vanished into the Nevada air as the two men engaged each other in the bout. Corbett, as always, was incredibly slick and extremely hard to hit. Fitzimmons, however, was in phenomenal shape. What’s more, Davis claims Fitzimmons came around to feeling Corbett couldn’t hurt him.

Still, he couldn’t land hard on the lauded Gentleman Jim, either. Corbett, it appeared, was simply too advanced a fighter for the scrappy challenger. Late in the thirteenth round, however, Fitzimmons was said to have landed effectively to Corbett’s body. What’s more, Corbett looked to be genuinely impacted by the punishment.

It wasn’t until the fourteenth round, however, that Corbett learned just exactly how hard the determined Fitzimmons could wallop. The recorded footage of the battle says it all.

Corbett appears to attempt to angle to Fitzimmons’ left. Fitzimmons then goes to Corbett’s body. And Corbett goes down. The champion stumbles a bit, then gamely tries to get up, but the body shot is too damaging. Masterson counts…then the fight is stopped. Fitzimmons, that most unlikely of candidates, is the new heavyweight champion of the world.

Corbett desperately wanted a rematch with Fitzimmons, but the fight never happened.

Corbett would, however, get another chance at glory down the road. As for the Fitzimmons fight, the remaining footage says it all (fortunately, the ending of the bout is still available), and has said it all in the hundred plus years since the fight actually occurred.

86 Comments

  1. Thomasanext

    10/29/2024 at 12:48 pm

    online medication: muse for ed – natural treatment for ed

  2. EmersonEntic

    10/29/2024 at 3:28 pm

    india pharmacy mail order [url=https://indianpharm1st.com/#]indian pharmacy[/url] pharmacy website india

  3. Robertober

    10/29/2024 at 11:08 pm

    top 10 online pharmacy in india: indian pharmacies safe – best online pharmacy india

  4. DerekMalty

    10/30/2024 at 7:11 am

    https://sweetbonanzatr.pro/# sweet bonanza
    pin up zerkalo

  5. HarryPogma

    10/30/2024 at 4:26 pm

    пинап казино [url=http://biznes-fabrika.kz/#]пины[/url] пин ап казино

  6. DerekMalty

    10/30/2024 at 4:33 pm

    https://biznes-fabrika.kz/# пин ап казино
    pin up zerkalo

  7. Jefferynof

    10/31/2024 at 1:25 am

    pin up casino: pin up casino – pin-up casino giris

  8. Jefferynof

    10/31/2024 at 7:11 am

    sweet bonanza: sweet bonanza – sweetbonanzatrpro

  9. Jefferynof

    10/31/2024 at 1:11 pm

    sweetbonanzatr.pro: sweetbonanzatrpro – sweet bonanza

  10. Jefferynof

    10/31/2024 at 6:19 pm

    пин ап: пин ап – pinco

  11. HarryPogma

    10/31/2024 at 7:00 pm

    пин ап кз [url=https://biznes-fabrika.kz/#]пин ап казино онлайн[/url] пин ап казино

  12. Jefferynof

    11/01/2024 at 1:26 am

    sweet bonanza nas?l oynan?r: sweet bonanza – sweet bonanza

  13. DerekMalty

    11/01/2024 at 5:37 am

    https://biznes-fabrika.kz/# пинап казино
    pin up zerkalo

  14. Jasonkit

    11/01/2024 at 8:39 am

    sweet bonanza tr: sweet bonanza tr – sweet bonanza

  15. Jefferynof

    11/01/2024 at 11:48 am

    sweet bonanza tr: sweetbonanzatrpro – sweet bonanza nas?l oynan?r

  16. DerekMalty

    11/01/2024 at 1:13 pm

    http://sweetbonanzatr.pro/# sweet bonanza oyna
    pinup bet and casino

  17. HarryPogma

    11/01/2024 at 6:25 pm

    пин ап зеркало [url=https://pinupzerkalo.fun/#]бонусы пин ап[/url] пинко

  18. Jefferynof

    11/01/2024 at 9:53 pm

    пин ап 634: пинап – пин ап 634

  19. DerekMalty

    11/01/2024 at 10:14 pm

    https://sweetbonanzatr.pro/# sweet bonanza oyna
    pin up casino

  20. Williamcok

    11/03/2024 at 12:35 am

    Rybelsus: Urgent Specialists – semaglutide

  21. Williamcok

    11/03/2024 at 5:09 am

    amoxil online: top-rated pills – cheap

  22. Williamcok

    11/04/2024 at 5:10 am

    find bets price: stromectol – good price

  23. drover sointeru

    11/04/2024 at 12:10 pm

    I have been browsing online more than 3 hours today, yet I never found any interesting article like yours. It’s pretty worth enough for me. In my opinion, if all webmasters and bloggers made good content as you did, the internet will be a lot more useful than ever before.

  24. Leroyaddek

    11/05/2024 at 5:23 am

    reputable indian pharmacies [url=http://indianpharm24.pro/#]indian pharm 24[/url] online pharmacy india

  25. DevonRoste

    11/05/2024 at 8:26 am

    https://indianpharm24.pro/# top online pharmacy india
    best ed treatments

  26. Brandonedush

    11/05/2024 at 1:21 pm

    mexican mail order pharmacies: Mexican pharmacy ship US – medicine in mexico pharmacies

  27. WilliamTit

    11/05/2024 at 10:33 pm

    best price for generic viagra on the internet https://mexicanpharm24.cheap/# mexican online pharmacies prescription drugs

  28. Leroyaddek

    11/06/2024 at 4:23 am

    Online medicine order [url=http://indianpharm24.pro/#]medicines from India[/url] reputable indian pharmacies

  29. JorgeWes

    11/06/2024 at 4:03 pm

    reputable indian online pharmacy: Indian pharmacy to USA – reputable indian online pharmacy

  30. Leroyaddek

    11/06/2024 at 8:46 pm

    viagra vs cialis bodybuilding [url=http://pharm24.pro/#]affordable medication[/url] best ed pills at gnc

  31. Brandonedush

    11/07/2024 at 8:04 am

    reputable mexican pharmacies online: Legit online Mexican pharmacy – mexican drugstore online

  32. DevonRoste

    11/07/2024 at 9:55 am

    https://indianpharm24.pro/# indianpharmacy com
    drugs prices

  33. Derekmeect

    11/08/2024 at 11:03 am

    matadorbet giris: matadorbet giris – matadorbet bid

  34. CarrollSoync

    11/08/2024 at 2:29 pm

    deneme bonusu veren siteler betturkey https://matadorbet.bid/# matadorbet bid

  35. Larryeroro

    11/08/2024 at 8:09 pm

    deneme bonusu veren siteler yerliarama.org [url=https://denemebonusuverensiteler.top/#]deneme bonusu veren siteler 2024[/url] deneme bonusu veren siteler denemebonusu2026.com

  36. ClydeBat

    11/08/2024 at 11:04 pm

    Casino Siteleri: Casino Siteleri – Deneme Bonusu Veren Siteler

  37. Larryeroro

    11/09/2024 at 5:11 am

    matadorbet bid [url=https://matadorbet.bid/#]matadorbet giris[/url] matadorbet.bid

  38. ClydeBat

    11/09/2024 at 12:33 pm

    casino siteleri win: Casino Siteleri – guvenilir casino siteleri

  39. Larryeroro

    11/09/2024 at 2:12 pm

    guvenilir casino siteleri [url=https://casinositeleri.win/#]casino siteleri win[/url] Canl? Casino Siteleri

  40. CarrollSoync

    11/09/2024 at 7:48 pm

    deneme bonusu veren siteler mycbet.com https://ultrabet-tr.online/# ultrabet giris

  41. Larryeroro

    11/09/2024 at 11:33 pm

    slot oyunlar? [url=http://slot-tr.online/#]en cok kazand?ran slot oyunlar?[/url] en kazancl? slot oyunlar?

  42. CarrollSoync

    11/10/2024 at 1:39 pm

    deneme bonusu veren yeni siteler http://denemebonusuverensiteler.top/# deneme bonusu veren siteler yerliarama.org

  43. ClydeBat

    11/10/2024 at 5:15 pm

    slot tr online: en kazancl? slot oyunlar? – slot oyunlar? puf noktalar?

  44. Curtispam

    11/12/2024 at 12:33 am

    ere pharm [url=http://erepharm.com/#]best ed pill ere pharm[/url] cheapest ed pills ere pharm

  45. RobertdUs

    11/12/2024 at 1:02 am

  46. RobertdUs

    11/12/2024 at 4:01 pm

    https://gabapharm.com/# Buy gabapentin for humans

  47. RobertdUs

    11/13/2024 at 7:11 am

    http://erepharm.com/# ED pills non prescription

  48. LloydKnilk

    11/13/2024 at 8:34 am

    http://rybpharm.com/# buy rybelsus online usa

  49. LloydKnilk

    11/13/2024 at 7:25 pm

  50. RobertdUs

    11/13/2024 at 10:48 pm

    http://kampharm.shop/# kam pharm shop

  51. DennisBlast

    11/13/2024 at 11:01 pm

    kampharm.shop: kamagra oral jelly – cheapest Kamagra Kam Pharm

  52. RobertdUs

    11/14/2024 at 8:08 am

  53. Curtispam

    11/14/2024 at 12:27 pm

    buy rybelsus [url=https://rybpharm.com/#]rybpharm rybelsus[/url] buy rybelsus rybpharm

  54. LloydKnilk

    11/14/2024 at 3:22 pm

    http://erepharm.com/# cheapest ed pills ere pharm

  55. DennisBlast

    11/14/2024 at 11:38 pm

    furosemide fur pharm: lasix – fur pharm

  56. Curtispam

    11/15/2024 at 12:56 am

    GabaPharm Gabapentin [url=https://gabapharm.com/#]GabaPharm Gabapentin[/url] buy gabapentin online

  57. RobertdUs

    11/15/2024 at 2:08 am

    https://gabapharm.com/# Buy gabapentin for humans

  58. RobertJam

    11/15/2024 at 2:21 am

    best ed pill ere pharm: best ed pills online – best ed pills online

  59. Bradleyboack

    11/15/2024 at 11:31 am

    https://mexicanpharmgate.com/# п»їbest mexican online pharmacies

  60. Jamiewrats

    11/15/2024 at 1:12 pm

    https://mexicanpharmgate.com/# mexico pharmacies prescription drugs

  61. JefferyBep

    11/15/2024 at 5:59 pm

    online pharmacy india: indian pharmacy – indian pharmacy

  62. Glennson

    11/15/2024 at 7:09 pm

    buy medicines online in india [url=http://indianpharmacyeasy.com/#]Indian pharmacy international shipping[/url] indian pharmacies safe

  63. LarryMex

    11/15/2024 at 10:11 pm

    online pharmacy india: indianpharmacyeasy.com – best india pharmacy

  64. Jamiewrats

    11/16/2024 at 12:07 am

    http://mexicanpharmgate.com/# mexico pharmacies prescription drugs

  65. Jamiewrats

    11/16/2024 at 5:46 am

    https://mexicanpharmgate.com/# mexican mail order pharmacies

  66. JefferyBep

    11/16/2024 at 5:54 am

    cheap pills online: canadian pharmacy drugs gate – erectile dysfunction medications

  67. Glennson

    11/16/2024 at 12:01 pm

    best online pharmacies in mexico [url=http://mexicanpharmgate.com/#]Mexican Pharm Gate[/url] buying prescription drugs in mexico online

  68. LarryMex

    11/16/2024 at 1:41 pm

    india online pharmacy: indianpharmacyeasy.com – top online pharmacy india

  69. JefferyBep

    11/17/2024 at 3:18 am

    best india pharmacy: indian pharmacy – top online pharmacy india

  70. Glennson

    11/17/2024 at 3:37 am

    top erection pills [url=http://canadiandrugsgate.com/#]canadian drugs gate[/url] cheap erectile dysfunction pill

  71. LarryMex

    11/17/2024 at 4:24 am

    п»їlegitimate online pharmacies india: Indian online pharmacy ship to usa – top 10 pharmacies in india

  72. JefferyBep

    11/17/2024 at 12:57 pm

    india pharmacy mail order: Best Indian pharmacy – pharmacy website india

  73. Danielbal

    11/18/2024 at 7:36 am

    amoxicillin from canada http://amoxilcompharm.com/# where can i buy amoxicillin over the counter

  74. Brandenbor

    11/18/2024 at 9:52 am

    amoxicillin 200 mg tablet: buy amoxil online – amoxicillin pills 500 mg

  75. Brandenbor

    11/18/2024 at 9:16 pm

    priligy: buy dapoxetine online – priligy maxpharm

  76. Brandenbor

    11/19/2024 at 8:37 am

    50mg prednisone tablet: cheap prednisone – buy prednisone 50 mg

  77. StevenDuamb

    11/19/2024 at 1:32 pm

    amoxicillin 50 mg tablets: cheap amoxil – amoxicillin 750 mg price

  78. Brandenbor

    11/19/2024 at 7:47 pm

    can i order generic clomid pill: rex pharm – generic clomid without dr prescription

  79. Brandenbor

    11/20/2024 at 5:20 am

    buy priligy: dapoxetine price – cheap priligy

  80. Brandenbor

    11/20/2024 at 4:23 pm

    can you get clomid no prescription: clomid rex pharm – buying cheap clomid without insurance

  81. Brandenbor

    11/21/2024 at 2:12 am

    amoxicillin buy no prescription: Amoxicillin for sale – where can i buy amoxicillin without prec

  82. Albertjoibe

    11/21/2024 at 4:22 pm

    cheapest Lisinopril: cheapest Lisinopril – buy Lisinopril online

  83. Brandenbor

    11/21/2024 at 6:30 pm

    amoxicillin price without insurance: Amoxicillin buy online – buy amoxicillin 250mg

  84. Bernardbex

    11/22/2024 at 1:53 am

    minocycline 100mg pills [url=https://iverfast.com/#]cheapest Ivermectin[/url] ivermectin 400 mg brands

  85. Albertjoibe

    11/22/2024 at 7:35 am

    lisinopril prescription cost: buy Lisinopril online – Lisinopril 1st

  86. Brandenbor

    11/22/2024 at 9:01 am

    buy amoxicillin 500mg capsules uk: Com Pharm – how to get amoxicillin over the counter

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

You May Also Like

Featured 2

what’s it all mean? By: Sean Crose Sixty million. Households. Not individuals. Households. Sixty million. That’s the number of homes that tuned in for...

Featured 2

By: Sean Crose No doubt you have either heard about – or have actually experienced – the faulty live stream Netflix provided for last...

Featured 2

By: Sean Crose It’s one of those fights fans want to see immediately – but the powers that be may will marinate it indefinitely....

Boxing Insider Promotions. NY State Hall of Fame “2024 Promoter of the Year” Copyright © 2024 BoxingInsider LLC. Created by Candela Creative Marketing.

Exit mobile version