The extreme heartiness of the welcome accorded the big man was perhaps due more than anything else to the fact that Fitzsimmons was at one time a New Zealander.
He arrived here from Cornwall, England, at the age of nine years, and started out from this country on his fighting career.
It was therefore, in a sense, a welcome home.
There were close on 40 representatives of sport present, and Mr T. M. Gillies, of the Otago Boxing Association, presided.
It was thought a fitting thing, the Chairman said, that a hearty welcome back to New Zealand should be accorded Mr Fitzsimmons.
They had always looked upon their guest as a New Zealander, and despite his absence for a great many years they had closely followed his career and had always regarded him as a manly exponent of the noble art.
A cordial welcome was also extended to the visitor by Messrs C. R. Andrews and Willett (Amateur Athletic Association), Woods (New Zealand Athletic Union), G. McGavin (cricket), Matthews (Gymnastic Clubs), and S. G. Smith.
Mr Fitzsimmons, in replying, said the unexpected cordiality and heartiness of the reception had completely knocked him out.
It was 28 years since he had seen New Zealand.
In a way he became a man here.
It was here that he fought his first contest, and, encouraged by his success, and by the support accorded him by the people of New Zealand, he crossed the water to Australia and then went to America, and he guessed they knew how he had succeeded there.
He had become the middle-weight champion, the light heavyweight champion, and heavyweight champion of the world.
He had fought 370 battles, and was twice fairly beaten, once by Jeffries and once by Lang in Australia.
He had always fought fairly, and had always tried to act his part like a true sportsman.
He had now retired from the ring.
He was proud to be back in New Zealand, which he regarded as the greatest, the richest, and the friendliest country in the world.
- ODT, 7.2.1910.
