This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/24/2014
ADDENDUM: James Jeffries was a longtime friend to Bill Schroeder and Paul Helms and a frequent visitor to the HAF museum. He was a recipient of many Helms awards and was a member of the Helms Hall of Fame. A copy of an original photo of Jeffries (late in life) celebrating his birthday with Schroeder and Helms is included with this lot. All of the Jeffries items featured in this auction were donated to the HAF directly by Jeffries himself.
James Jeffries was an American professional boxer and former World Heavyweight Champion. Known for his enormous strength and stamina, Jeffries was a natural left-hander and possessed one-punch knockout power with his left hook. On June 9, 1899 in Brooklyn, New York, he defeated Bob Fitzsimmons by knockout to win the Heavyweight Championship of the World. That August, he embarked on a tour of Europe, putting on exhibition fights for the fans. Jeffries finished his professional boxing career with 19 wins (14 by knockout). This lots includes three important pieces of Jeffries that he wore circa 1900 to fight in: an orange/white knit cotton tank-top style men's shirt; long red/black knit cotton footed leggings with drawstring at waist; and straight-legged, short red/black knit cotton trunks with five broad belt loops and drawstring at the waist.
Includes a Letter of Provenance from the Helms Athletic Foundation/LA84 Collection.