Mid-Summer Classic Auction 2013

Rare July 25, 1902 James J. Jeffries vs. Robert Fitzsimmons World Heavyweight Championship program for the bout held at the San Francisco Athletic Club Arena. Cover features photos of the 2 boxers as well as 3 officers of the Club. Insides loaded with photos of numerous boxers, both past and present, managers, trainers, and referees. Also included are the rules of boxing, records of each fighter, and a history of World Heavyweight Champions from "1719 to the present time". All throughout the pages are loaded with interesting period ads.On June 9, 1899 in Brooklyn, New York Jeffries had defeated Fitzsimmons by knockout to win the World Heavyweight Championship. Three years later the pair had a re-match, a fight that would solidify Jeffries reputation as one of the greatest Heavyweight Champions of All-Time. For seven rounds Fitzsimmons battered Jeffries mercilessly. During this beating Jeffries suffered a broken nose with both cheeks cut to the bone, and deep gashes opened over both eyes. Blood flowed freely into Jeffries' eyes. It looked as though the fight could be stopped at any time. Then in the eighth round, Jeffries caught Fitzsimmons with a terrific right to the stomach and followed it up with a left hook to the jaw which knocked Fitzsimmons unconscious. Jeffries had defended his crown. Jeffries defended the title 2 more times and retired undefeated in 1905. 5 years later he was lured out of retirement with the equivalent of almost $1,000,000 in today's money to fight then Champion Jack Johnson in Reno, Nevada. Losing over 100 pounds to get ready for the bout and fighting in 110 degree temperatures resulted in a 15 round TKO, in what would be his first and only loss. Covers can best be described as mainly complete but in poor condition with multiple creases, edge wear, tape along the spine with 1 piece of tape on the front and 2 on the back coming out from the spine to cover tears. The front page has 3 pieces of tape holding it in place while the back page has some tape covering up a tear. Inside pages are fairly decent with some creasing and edge wear. Program is not scored but at a later date someone has written "Mack Schmeling & Joe Louis fought for Championship June 22, 1938. 1 minute K. O. by Louis". All problems considered, still a very interesting piece of early Heavyweight Boxing History!