Jeffries defeats Sharkey in the first championship boxing bout filmed for motion pictures

Background. James J. Jeffries had won the Heavyweight Championship of the World in June 1899 by defeating Bob Fitzsimmons. Tom Sharkey, who had previously contested with Jeffries in 1898, secured his title shot after knocking out Kid McCoy in January 1899. The bout took place on November 3, 1899, in Coney Island, New York.

Filming. The American Mutoscope and Biograph Company, which changed its name in 1899, filmed the bout. This event was the first championship fight filmed for motion pictures and the first indoor fight successfully filmed. The company was a prolific motion picture entity active until 1916.

Outcome. Jeffries defeated Sharkey in a memorable twenty-five round bout. The fight took place in Coney Island, a neighborhood in Brooklyn known as a major entertainment area. Jeffries held the title until his initial retirement in 1905.