July 25, 1902 – James J. Jeffries is an interesting character in boxing history. Big Jim was the epitome of what fight fans wanted their HeavyWeight Champion to be, large, solidly built, and ruggedly tough. The Carroll, Ohio native was all of that and a box of crackers.
He stood 6 foot 1″ tall and weighed over 200 pounds. Bob Fitzsimmons was the world champ and he held the title close to his vest. Fitzsimmons at the end of the 19th century insisted he would put the title on the line against no man until someone had proven himself as the undeniable leading contender for the crown.
“Boilermaker” Jeffries after decisions over top contenders Peter Jackson and Tom Sharkey earned that honor and in 1899 defeated Fitzsimmons for the belt. 3 years after winning this title from the Englishman Fitzsimmons, the American Jeffries repeated as the belt carrier with an 8th round KO in San Francisco for the heavyweight crown in the highly touted rematch on this date in 1902.
To find more great daily sports history make sure to check out the Sports Jersey Dispatch and Pigskin Dispatch.
More From Sports History Network
How UK Horse Racing Has Evolved Over The Last 100 Years
There are few more historic sports in the world than horse racing, with the
The Impact of Sports on College Students’ Academic Success
Whether or not sports participation affects the academic life of college students is a
1972 Olympics Revisited (Weightlifting Medal Winners)
Weightlifting at the 1972 Olympics occurred in Munich, Germany, from August 27 to Sept.6.
The Evolution of College Athletics: From Intramural Sports to NCAA Dominance
It’s amazing how much college sports have changed in the last 100 years. What
The Influence of Historical Sporting Events on Education Policies
Historical sporting events have an extensive influence on education policies as they enhance physical
6 Intense Sports Finals From The Past 45 Years
Sports finals are the pinnacle of athletic competition, where the highest stakes and the
1968 Olympics Revisited (Weightlifting Medal Winners)
The 1968 Olympics were held in Mexico City in October. The Weightlifting was held
Tracing the Evolution of Athletic Scholarships: From Humble Beginnings to Modern-Day Opportunities
Athletic scholarships have been very important in the lives of many student players. But