JO Sports Inc.
HISTORY: Robert James Fitzsimmons (26 May 1863 – 22 October 1917) was a British professional boxer who made boxing history as the sport's first three-division world champion. He also achieved fame for beating Gentleman Jim Corbett, (the man who beat John L. Sullivan), and he is in The Guinness Book of World Records as the lightest heavyweight champion. Nicknamed "Ruby Robert" and "The Freckled Wonder", he took pride in his lack of scars and appeared in the ring wearing heavy woolen underwear to conceal the disparity between his trunk and leg-development. He was also known for his pure fighting skills due to dislike of training for fights, which cost him at times in his career. Considered one of the hardest punchers in boxing history, Fitzsimmons is ranked as No. 8 on Ring Magazine's list of 100 greatest punchers of all time. His time working in the blacksmith's forge helped to develop his upper body, particularly his arms and shoulders. During his time working in the blacksmith's forge, there are stories that Fitzsimmons was not averse to fighting quarrelsome, often drunk, customers, and it was suggested that this even boosted business, as customers returned to the forge, hoping to see a fight. Offered here is an original theatre program dated April 7th and 8th, 1897 which included appearances by Robert Fitzsimmons and his trainers when he was world heavyweight champion.
FULL DESCRIPTION: This is an original theatre program which consists of 16 pages complete including covers. Binding is tight. Clean inside and out. No writing. A very small corner clip on back cover. Minor edge wear. Slight toning of pages from aging. No center crease. 6" x 8 1/2." Very rare particularly this soon after winning the title less than a month before.
