James J. Corbett

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Biography

Considered the originator of modern boxing, Corbett became world heavyweight champ in one of the biggest upsets ever when he embarrassed the 30 pound heavier legend John L. Sullivan marriage. Gentleman Jim was the only top white heavyweight of the era to fight a top Black fighter, when he dueled another scientific boxer, the great Australian, Peter "The Black Prince" Jackson to a 61 round draw in 1891. Corbett lost the heavyweight championship in 1897 to Bob Fitzsimmons. Though devastated by the 1898 murder/suicide of his parents, Corbett continued his successful acting career on Broadway, and in early movies. Like Ward, he was a union organizer, active in the White Rats, the first successful U.S. actors' union. His colorful biography The Roar of the Crowd, was the basis for the fine Corbett biopic "Gentleman Jim," with Errol Flynn starring.

  • Primary profession
  • Actor·writer
  • Country
  • United States
  • Nationality
  • American
  • Gender
  • Male
  • Birth date
  • 01 September 1866
  • Place of birth
  • San Francisco
  • Death date
  • 1933-02-18
  • Death age
  • 67
  • Place of death
  • 1933-2-18
  • Cause of death
  • Natural causes
  • Education
  • Carnegie Mellon University
  • Knows language
  • English language

Movies

TV

Books

Trivia

World heavyweight boxing champion, 1892-1897. Inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame, 1990.

Inducted into the World Boxing Hall of Fame, 1980.

Claimed to have invented the left hook punch.

Generally considered the first scientific fighter because he used his speed and knowledge of his opponents strengths and weaknesses to develop a strategy for a fight rather than brawn and volume of punches.

Played by Errol Flynn in Gentleman Jim .

On 21 May 1891, Corbett fought Peter Jackson, an Australian who couldnt get a fight against the reigning champ, John L. Sullivan, because he was black. The match went 61 rounds before it was declared a no-contest.

Fought his brother, Tom, a total of 8 times from July - August 1898. In their 10 August 1898 bout, Jim badly damaged Toms nose.

His bout with Steve ODonnell was stopped when Corbett was told of the deaths of his parents. Patrick Corbett had bet his net worth on Jims 17 March 1897 title defense against Bob Fitzsimmons. Jims defeat ruined the elder Corbett, whom, police concluded, shot his wife then himself in a fit of dementia. (16 August 1898)

Autobiography, "The Roar of the Crowd" (1925)

Quotes

Fight one more round. When your feet are so tired you have to shuffle back to the center of the ring fight one more round.

Only those who have patience to do simple things perfectly ever acquire the skill to do difficult things easily. .

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