champions

Race sponsored by Optimist International, Alford Chevrolet, and the Tallahassee Democrat.

What a wonderful old capture!

That would be Bob Corbett and James John "Gentleman Jim" Corbett, who participated in the fight of the century for the heavyweight boxing title on 17 March, 1897. Fitzsimmons the victor by KO in 14 rounds.

In the photo Fitzsimmons is trying to shake the hand of the man who shook the great John L. (boxing joke precedes)

This photograph would have been taken well after the 18997 bout judging by their apparent ages.

Fitzsimmons:

www.britannica.com/eb/art-56295/Robert-Fitzsimmons-1890?a...

Here's a link to the full encyclopaedia Britannica article:

www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/208949/Robert-Fitzsimmons

Post Civil War
Late 1800's Boxing was the next best thing from gun slinging.
With the Queensbury Rules instated, boxing became more popular were it was not..

A very well documented beginning
www.flickr.com/photos/25210547@N02/2380728650/
A grand begining

Here is two of the boxing greats
www.youtube.com/watch?v=BOFdL5VkcQM
.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=37OcLWu1T_E
.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=mTk4SdcpAwc&feature=related
.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=8iShuZvyDHA&feature=related
.



en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marquess_of_Queensberry_rules

The Queensbury Rules

.
1 To be a fair stand-up boxing match in a twenty-four foot ring or as near that size as practicable.

2. No wrestling or hugging allowed.

3. The rounds to be of three minutes duration and one minute time between rounds.

4. If either man fall through weakness or otherwise, he must get up unassisted, ten seconds be allowed to do so, the other man meanwhile to return to his corner; and when the fallen man is on his legs the round is to be resumed and continued until the three minutes have expired. If one man fails to come to the scratch in the ten seconds allowed, it shall be in the power of the referee to give his award in favor of the other man.

5. A man hanging on the ropes in a helpless state, with his toes off the ground, shall be considered down.

6. No seconds or any other person to be allowed in the ring during the rounds.

7. Should the contest be stopped by any unavoidable interference, the referee (is) to name the time and place as soon as possible for finishing the contest, to that the match can be won and lost, unless the backers of the men agree to draw the stakes.

8. The gloves to be fair-sized boxing gloves of the best quality and new.

9. Should a glove burst, or come off, it must be replaced to the referee's satisfaction.

10. A man on one knee is considered down, and if struck is entitled to the stakes.

11. No shoes or boots with springs allowed.

12. The contest in all other respects to be governed by the revised rules of the London Prize Ring.


HURRICANE
www.youtube.com/watch?v=few4kiKjNzw


read on and on

Bob Fitzsimmons (1863-1917) British boxer
www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q472506
James John Corbett (1866-1933) American boxer
www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q455494

I'm fairly certain this chap is American boxer Frank Moran, who challenged Johnson for the heavyweight title in Paris in 1914... www.flickr.com/photos/anmm_thecommons/9910359426/