Wild West Pugilists

Life on the Western Frontier was not only hard and dangerous, but frequently boring. Miners, cowboys, pioneers, and lumberjacks were all desperate for entertainment.

Nothing quite created the spectacle and excitement as a boxing match between two trained pugilists while the bloodthirsty crowd cheered, screamed, drank, and wagered. Arizona and some of the characters associated with her old territorial days provide some of the most fantastic boxing stories in all the Wild West.

One of these famous fights had political implications. In 1895, Robert Prometheus Fitzsimmons was scheduled to fight Kid Maher in the territory of Arizona. Governor L.C. Hughes was informed by the Secretary of the Interior that it was illegal to hold a prize fight in a US Territory. The promoter tried to hold the fight in Mexico but, but the US State Department intervened and convinced the Mexican government not to issue the necessary permits. The promoter was faced with a dilemma. He had two boxers, a large purse, and a huge assortment of impatient fight fans and gamblers but no venue. The wily promoter loaded the entire assortment of vagabonds and ruffians onto a Texas train. He planned on sneaking everybody into Arizona during the night, unloading in the middle of the San Simon Valley, hastily erecting an arena, holding the boxing match, and returning to Texas before authorities were wise.

Somehow Governor Hughes was tipped off ahead of time. The irate politician sent out the Arizona National Guard to prevent this illegal battle of fisticuffs. Companies D and F were sent to Fort Bowie and R. Allyn Lewis of the First Infantry was sent to El Paso. In El Paso, Major Lewis was able to turn back the train before it ever started to pick up steam.

The boxing match was finally held in Langtry, Texas, where Fitzsimmons won. Robert Prometheus Fitzsimmons went on to become the heavyweight champion of the world. R. Allyn Lewis was promoted to adjutant general and the story would have seemed to have a happy ending but for an unusual historical footnote. In 1899, several fight fans gained seats in the territorial legislature — several disappointed fight fans — many of them holding grudges against Lewis for denying them ringside seats to watch the legendary “Cannonball” Fitzsimmons in action. In revenge they voted to cut off all funds for the Arizona National Guard and only a governor’s veto saved the day.

Arizona’s most famous boxing tale is that of the battling priest of Tombstone; Endicott Peabody. Endicott Peabody brought his English university education to Tombstone, “The town too tough to die.” The young Episcopalian priest was legendary for entering Tombstone’s saloons and brothels to preach about the evils of gambling and prostitution. One Sunday, the topic of Peabody’s sermon was the evils of cattle rustling, which he titled “Thou Shalt Not Covet Thy Neighbor’s Cattle.” One of the cowboy’s in the Sunday congregation took offense at Endicott Peabody’s remarks, feeling that the preacher was trying to embarrass him in front of the good people of the town.

Peabody tried to assure the cowboy that there were several suspected rustlers among the congregation and sermon was meant to enlighten all of them. The cowboy would hear none of it and wanted to rip the preacher from limb to limb. The preacher convinced the cowboy that if they must fight they should do it in a civilized manner in a boxing ring. That way, Peabody said, the cowboy could extract his revenge in front of the entire town.

Proceeds from the brisk ticket sales were donated to charity and all of Tombstone turned out for the event. At the opening bell, the cowboy charged across the ring, eager to hit the backpedaling priest. Endicott Peabody remained in a defensive posture until the enraged rustler had spent his fury with a flurry of wild swings and inaccurate punches. Once the cowboy had tired himself into exhaustion, Endicott Peabody stepped forward and delivered a knockout blow to his opponent.

A final boxing story involves the colorful Robert Prometheus Fitzsimmons and one of the O.K. Corral shoot out participants, Wyatt Earp. After the fame which followed the Tombstone gunfight, Earp decided to try his fortune as a boxing promoter. A fight was scheduled for December 2, 1896 at Mechanics Hall in San Francisco. The boxing match pitted Robert Prometheus Fitzsimmons versus “Sailor” Tom Sharkey. As the fight approached, the two camps had yet to agree on a referee. On the day of the fight, Wyatt Earp was agreed upon as an emergency compromise referee. Amidst heavy gambling and rumors of a fix, Earp’s selection was not a popular one.

“Gunslinger!” the crowd cried out, whistling in derision.

The crowd was silenced by the baritone voice of a San Francisco Police captain, “Wyatt Earp is an officer of the law and the word of a lawman is good enough for me.”

Earp climbed into the ring at Mechanics Hall still wearing his long frock coat and introduced the two men to the crowd. Robert Prometheus Fitzsimmons and “Sailor” Tom Sharkey squared off for a purse of $10,000. The two men began to pummel each other enthusiastically as the crowd roared.

In the third round, Fitzsimmons landed a low blow. The fight was stopped until Sharkey assured Earp that he was okay. In the eight round, Fitzsimmons apparently landed another low blow. The alleged low blow was out of view of most of the audience, including the press, but there were some people in the crowd who insisted they had seen it, including the chief of police. The low blow was followed by a powerful left hook to the chin. “Sailor” Tom Sharkey was knocked out cold.

Earp immediately declared the fallen fighter the winner because of the foul.

The crowd went wild, several of them storming into the ring. Robert Prometheus Fitzsimmons chased Earp across the ring, boxing gloves up and swinging. Earp opened his frock coat and revealed two .45 Colt pistols hitched into his belt. Earp pulled out both guns and aimed them at the startled boxer. Fitzsimmons raised his hands in the air and Earp backed his way out of the arena. It has been alleged, but never proven, that Earp was seen later that evening celebrating and drinking with the victors. To this day, historians have not decided if the fight was legitimate or fixed.