1903 in Sports - Boxing

Boxing

Events

  • Having previously held the World Middleweight Championship and the World Heavyweight Championship, Bob Fitzsimmons wins his third world title when he captures the World Light Heavyweight Championship.
  • The inaugural World Light Heavyweight Champion is Jack Root of Bohemia following his ten round victory over Charles "Kid" McCoy at Detroit on 22 April. Root's title is short-lived as he loses on 4 July to George Gardiner at Fort Erie, Ontario. Gardner wins by a technical knockout after 12 rounds. On 25 November, Gardner loses the title to Fitzsimmons after 20 rounds at San Francisco. Fitzsimmons retains the title until 1905.
  • Young Corbett II vacates the World Featherweight Championship. The vacant title is won by Abe Attell who defeats Johnny Reagan at St Louis in the 20th round. Attell is one of the great champions and holds the title until 1912.
  • Frankie Neil defeats Harry Forbes in San Francisco by a second round knockout to take the World Bantamweight Championship, which he holds for one year.

Lineal world champions

  • World Heavyweight Championship – James J. Jeffries
  • World Light Heavyweight Championship – new title → Jack Root → George Gardiner → Bob Fitzsimmons
  • World Middleweight Championship – Tommy Ryan
  • World Welterweight Championship – Barbados Joe Walcott
  • World Lightweight Championship – Joe Gans
  • World Featherweight Championship – Young Corbett II → vacant → Abe Attell
  • World Bantamweight Championship – Harry Forbes → Frankie Neil

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    —Brenda Ueland (1891–1985)

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    —Joyce Carol Oates (b. 1938)