Bob Fitzsimmons

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Robert James Fitzsimmons (26 May 1863 – 22 October 1917) was a Cornish-New Zealand professional boxer who was the sport's first three-division world champion. In 1897, he knocked out "Gentleman Jim" Corbett to win the World Heavyweight Championship, becoming the first British-born fighter to hold the title. He is also listed in The Guinness Book of World Records as the lightest heavyweight champion, weighing just 167 pounds when he won the title. Nicknamed Ruby Robert and The Freckled Wonder, he took pride in his lack of scars and appeared in the ring wearing heavy woollen underwear to conceal the disparity between his trunk and leg-development. After defeating George Gardiner for the world light-heavyweight title on November 25, 1903, Fitzsimmons became the oldest champion at 40, a record that lasted until George Foreman's 1994 WBA heavyweight title win. Considered one of the hardest punchers in boxing history, Fitzsimmons is ranked No. 8 on The Ring magazine's list of 100 greatest punchers...

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