The
Fitzsimmons-Maher Prizefight (February 21, 1896), also considered, unofficially, as the
1896 World Heavyweight Championship, occurred between
Bob Fitzsimmons and
Peter Maher on a sandbar in the
Rio Grande River just far enough outside of the
American city of
Langtry, Texas, in which state
boxing was illegal, to be considered technically in the
Mexican state of
Coahuila de Zaragoza. Fitzsimmons was victorious, knocking Maher out in the first round; however, upon hearing of the outcome of the fight, the 1895 World Heavyweight Champion
James J. Corbett immediately rescinded his retirement.