Odd, Gilbert – The Fighting Blacksmith. The Story of Bob Fitzsimmons

Description

Odd, Gilbert ‘The Fighting Blacksmith. The Story of Bob Fitzsimmons’ 1976 1st ed. 264-pages. VG/VG

Book Description & Physical Specifications:
Published by Pelham Books, London in 1978 (officially released in late 1976), this volume is considered a foundational modern biography of one of the most uniquely accomplished fighters in sports history, penned by International Boxing Hall of Fame inductee Gilbert Odd.
• Content: The book chronicles the incredible life of Robert “Bob” Fitzsimmons, the legendary British-born “Freckled Wonder” who shocked the sporting world by winning world titles in three distinct weight classes—middleweight, light-heavyweight, and heavyweight—despite often giving up massive weight advantages. Odd covers Fitzsimmons’ early days working at his brother’s blacksmith forge in New Zealand (which built his deceptively massive upper-body power), his signature solar plexus punch, and his historic championship victories over icons like Jack “Nonpareil” Dempsey and James J. Corbett. The text balances his ring dominance with his eccentric, colorful personal life, featuring a special foreword by fellow British ring legend Len Harvey.
• Format & Scope: An octavo volume (8vo) stretching exactly 264 pages.
• Binding: Bound in vibrant red cloth hardcovers featuring bright gilt (gold) title lettering stamped cleanly down the spine.
• Illustrations & Layout: Includes an introduction, 18 detailed chronological chapters, a bibliography, appendices, a comprehensive record index, and 16 pages of standalone black-and-white historical photograph plates documenting Fitzsimmons’ classic bouts.
• Dust Jacket: Issued with a striking graphic dustwrapper. The front jacket illustration features a dramatic period depiction of Fitzsimmons knocking out Peter Maher in their famous 95-second bout in Texas