On Bob Fitzsimmons, Jem Mace, and Wyatt Earp

Gentlepersons, earlier this morning I posted the following to my Twitter: "Bob Fitzsimmons, born to-day 1863. The first 3 division #Boxing champ in #History. Taught by Jem Mace and screwed by Wyatt Earp." I felt the need to prattle on a bit more. Expound, if ya will.

Lettuce begin with one Mr. Jem Mace, a name I first heard as a pre-boxing enthusiast youth whilst reading a Louis L'Amour novel. Since then, I've learnt more 'bout Mace; in quite shortened strokes, this: born in 1831 and bidding adieu in 1910, he was an English pug whom fought in bare-knuckle'd and then gloved competitions and then exhibitions. A middleweight with slick-smart defenses and notable punching power, he saw much success against much larger foes. Earning moolah as an exhibition fighter, he laced 'em up till the age of 78. James J. Corbett referred to him as "the man to whom we owe the changes that have elevated the sport."

During an 1882 tour of New Zealand, Mace discovered the future World Heavyweight Champion and future, future great, one Mr. Bob Fitzsimmons; whom was a then a kid on at the end of a 93-day journey to re-location with his parents from England. Under his guidance Fitzsimmons developed and evolved his punching technique into short and accurate piston-like motions which oft and singularly changed a fight's complexion.

Neat, huh? Ya ain't read nothing yet. Fast-forward now to San Fransisco, Californ-i-a. December 2nd 1896. Like Jem Mace, Bob Fitzsimmons was a middleweight with Heavyweight desires. Remember, in those days there was no division twixt. Enter Mr. Tom Sharkey... but more importantly perchance, enter famed law's long-arm, Mr. Wyatt Earp -- whom were also a gamblin' man. The Tombstone participant had officiated a smattering of matches prior, but none under the Marquess of Queensberry rules which were in effect for this match.

The lengthier and quicker Fitzsimmons controlled the fight, and Sharkey, from the opening stanza on. Then in the eighth, he tagged Sharkey with his infamous solar plexus punch. This is not the WWE finishing move it sounds like, simply it is an uppercut to under the heart. I'd rather take a folding chair up-side the meat of my back, thank-you. All in attendance were surprised by Sharkey's reaction: sir dropped to the canvas and grabbed hisself so as to indicate a low-blow hath occurred. He did muster the wherewithal to cry foul. Loudly, clearly, and repeatedly.

Wyatt Earp called an end to the fisticuffs, basing the decision to do-so on the rule-book stating: "A man on one knee is considered down and if struck is entitled to the stakes." Problem is nary at most, were the persons whom saw this stated infraction. Hoots, hollers, and cat-calls rang out. Boos, hisses, and cusses too. Earp awarded the decision to Sharkey, whom's corner-men lugged him out as "limp as a rag." (Shillingberg, William B. (Summer 1976). "Wyatt Earp and the Buntline Special Myth". Kansas Historical Quarterly. 42 (2): 113–154)