Born Jacob Quincy Finkelstein on July 15, 1917. Fiske attended the University of Alabama, where he was manager of the school boxing team. Upon graduating in 1940, he was a boxing reporter and columnist at the Newport News Daily Press, Alameda Times-Star and the Richmond Independent before joining the staff of the San Francisco Chronicle, where he covered boxing for over 40 years.
His twice-weekly column, "Punching The Bag", was one of the most circularized boxing columns in the world and was regarded as the most consistent daily source of boxing information in the U.S. from 1947-1992. An excellent reporter, Fiske covered some of the greatest ring battles of the past half-century, including the first Cassius Clay vs. Sonny Liston bout, which he covered for the Chronicle.
His variety columns were compact and filled with boxing-friendly reports of current ring action. He was very current, yet never neglected the sports history. Known as a concise writer, Fiske employed great skills in space-saving language.
Fiske retired in 1993 and lives in San Francisco. He died on January 24, 2006 in Redwood City, California at the age of 88.
Born: July 15, 1917
Died: Jan. 24, 2006
Induction: 2003
Jack Fiske
