What was the nickname of the reigning, retired heavyweight champion at the time of the Fitzsimmons vs. Sharkey Heavyweight Championship boxing match?
James J. Corbett James John "Gentleman Jim" Corbett (September 1, 1866 – February 18, 1933) was an American professional boxer and a former World Heavyweight Champion, best known as the man who defeated the great John L. Sullivan. Despite a career spanning only 20 bouts, Corbett faced the best competition his era had to offer; squaring off with a total of 9 fighters who would later be enshrined alongside him in the International Boxing Hall of Fame.
Mushy Callahan Mushy Callahan (November 3, 1904 – June 18, 1986) was the ring name of Vincent Morris Scheer, a Los Angeles-based boxing champion in the newly created World Light Welterweight Division for five years from 1926-30. The championship was formerly referred to as the World SuperLightweight Title. After his retirement from boxing in 1932, Callahan refereed hundreds of matches, and had a thirty-year career taking small roles in movies, most with boxing themes, as well as working as a stuntman and boxing adviser on movie sets.