NO. 6 (TIE) BOB FITZSIMMONS
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5y6vQVavxuI
Height: 5-11½
Active: 1885-1909; 1914
Record: 61-8-4, 57 KOs
Reign(s): 1897-99
Background: Fitzsimmons was one of the more unusual characters – and one of the best fighters – of his era. The English-born, New Zealand-raised blacksmith built a powerful upper body by pounding an anvil but had spindly legs, giving him an unusual appearance. He must’ve been a frightening sight for his opponents. Fitzsimmons became middleweight champ when he stopped the original Jack “Nonpareil” Dempsey in 1891 but soon began his pursuit of boxing’s biggest prize, the heavyweight title. He got his shot in 1897, when champion James J. Corbett agreed to defend against the 34-year-old in Carson City, Nevada. Corbett, who had a 17-pound advantage, was winning the fight when Fitzsimmons put Corbett down with his patented solar plexus punch and the champ couldn’t recover. Fitzsimmons lost his title to James J. Jeffries but wasn’t finished. He outpointed George Gardner at 40 in 1903 to win the light heavyweight title, thus becoming the first three-division champion.