*James J. Jeffries had won the championship in 1899 from the extraordinary Bob Fitzsimmons at Coney Island, New York. Fighting out of a crouch, Jeffries had bullied his way inside the champion’s guard and battered his ribs, forcing a stoppage in the eleventh round. It took a few years for this rematch to happen, this time in San Francisco. While some took note of the 39-year-old Cornishman’s advancing years and figured the younger, stronger and much heavier champion would likely prevail, others eyed Fitzsimmons’s thirst for revenge.
Rumor had it that the challenger was so determined to prevail, he planned to load his gloves with Plaster of Paris.
“Let him do it,” said Jeffries. “I’ll flatten him anyway.”
Jeffries had reason to be confident. The much bigger man, he outweighed Fitzsimmons by more than forty pounds.
The Mansfield News reported the following morning (July 26, 1902):
Robert Fitzsimmons has forfeited his last claim upon the heavyweight championship of the world. He stood off James J. Jeffries for eight rounds, and before receiving his quietus had astonished the thousands of spectators by his brilliant work. As early as the second round Fitzsimmons had Jeffries bleeding profusely from mouth and nose. Again and again he landed on his bulky opponent, getting away in such a clever manner that he roused the big crowd to enthusiastic cheering. It seemed indeed that Jeffries could scarcely stand the pace. But the 8th round came and after a series of hot exchanges Fitzsimmons paused with his guard down and spoke to the champion. The latter's reply was two terrific blows that saved him the championship.
