A Little Bit of Brawn Trivia Quiz

Answer: Bob Fitzsimmons

Although he was the heavyweight world champion, when Bob Fitzsimmons beat James J. Corbett to win the title he weighed just 165 pounds. Fitzsimmons was the first individual to be a world champion in three different weight divisions and he fought in 99 career matches with a record of 68 wins (59 by KO), 8 losses, 4 draws and 19 no contests.

Answer: Jack Johnson

During his prime Jack Johnson was one of the most dominant and feared boxers. He was the first African American heavyweight champion and since he competed during the Jim Crow era he also had to deal with racist attacks. During his career Johnson competed in 104 matches with a record of 74 wins (40 by KO), 13 losses, 10 draws and 5 no contests.

Answer: Marvin Hart

Marvin Hart fortuitously became eligible for the heavyweight championship after James J. Jeffries retired. Interestingly Jeffries would referee Hart's match against Jack Root that he won elevating him as heavyweight champion in 1905. Hart competed in 41 career matches with a record of 29 wins, 7 losses, 4 draws and 1 no contest.

Answer: Gene Tunney

Gene Tunney famously defeated the favored Jack Dempsey twice in his career. The rematch in 1927 became known as 'The Long Count Fight' and is considered controversial because Tunney won despite being knocked down on the canvas for a period longer than 10 seconds. Tunney had a stellar career with 68 matches and a record of 65 wins (48 by KO), 1 loss, 1 draw and 1 no contest.

Answer: Tommy Burns

Born with the name Noah Brusso, Tommy Burns was the first Canadian heavyweight champion and the first to travel extensively in defense of the title. Burns was only 170 cm (5 ft 7 in) and he was well-known for accepting any challengers stating "I will defend my title against all comers, none barred." His career included 62 matches with a record of 48 wins (39 by KO), 5 losses, 8 draws and 1 no contest.

Answer: Jack Dempsey

Jack Dempsey was one of the more popular of the early heavyweight champions and he often drew large crowds and gate receipts. His powerful boxing style was evidenced by the fight that garnered him the heavyweight title in 1919. Matched against Jess Willard, Dempsey knocked the former champion down seven times in the first round prompting some to claim that he had cheated with loaded gloves. Dempsey fought in 69 matches and had a record of 54 wins (44 by KO), 6 losses and 9 draws.

Answer: James J. Corbett

James J. Corbett was the second heavyweight champion after he defeated John L. Sullivan in 18892. Unlike many other heavyweight champions Corbett was known more for his technical approach rather than his power. Corbett appeared in just 20 career matches and had a record of 11 wins (5 by KO), 4 losses, 3 draws and 2 no contests.

After his boxing career Corbett acted in films and theatre.

Answer: Jess Willard

Jess Willard stood a towering 199 cm (6 ft 6 1/2 in) and he defeated the famed Jack Johnson in 1915 in Havana, Cuba to gain the heavyweight title. Before his boxing career Willard was a cowboy and he did not start boxing until the age of 27. Willard retired after 35 matches and he had a record of 26 wins (20 by KO), 6 losses, 1 draw and 2 no contests.

Answer: James J. Jeffries

James J. Jeffries was an exceptional athlete capable of running 91 m (100 yd) in 10 seconds and being able to high jump 180 cm (6 ft). He utilized his devastating left hook to deliver one-punch knockouts. His most famous fight was likely in 1910 when he came out of a six year retirement to challenge Jack Johnson eventually losing by knockout in round 15. Jeffries had 23 career matches and a record of 19 wins (14 by KO), 1 loss, 2 draws and 1 no contest.

Answer: John L. Sullivan

John L. Sullivan was the first heavyweight champion of gloved boxing and the last heavyweight champion of bare-knuckle boxing. Sullivan became heavyweight champion in 1885 under the Marquess of Queensberry Rules after he defeated Dominick McCaffrey. Sullivan's final career fight would be his only career loss and it came at the hands of James J. Corbett in 1892.

He would retire after 44 matches with a record of 40 wins (34 by KO), 1 loss, 2 draws and 1 no contest.