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Jeffries has the record
for the quickest KO in a heavyweight title fight ever, which was
55 seconds against Jack Finnegan. During his reign as champion,
Jeffries defended his title seven times, including two knockout
victories over former champion
James J. Corbett.
He won a 25 round decision over Tom Sharkey. Jeffries broke the
ribs of three opponents in title fights: Jim Corbett,
Gus Ruhlin,
and
Tom Sharkey.
Jeffries retired undefeated in May 1905. He served as a referee
for the next few years, including the bout in which
Marvin Hart
defeated
Jack Root
to stake a claim at Jeffries' vacated title.
An example of Jeffries' ability to absorb
punishment and recover from a severe battering to win a bout
came in his rematch for the title with Fitzsimmons, who is
regarded as one of the hardest punchers in boxing history. The
rematch with Jeffries occurred on July 25, 1902 in
San Francisco.
To train for the bout Jeffries' daily training included a
14-mile (23 km) run, 2 hours of skipping rope, medicine ball
training, 20 minutes sparring on the heavy bag, and at least 12
rounds of sparring in the ring. He also trained in wrestling.
For nearly eight rounds Fitzsimmons
subjected Jeffries to a vicious battering. Jeffries suffered a
broken nose, both his cheeks were cut to the bone, and gashes
were opened over both eyes. It appeared that the fight would
have to be stopped, as blood freely flowed into Jeffries' eyes.
Then in the eighth round, Jeffries lashed out with a terrific
right to the stomach, followed by a left hook to the jaw which
knocked Fitzsimmons unconscious. |
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