“From the very beginning, my instinct was to evade,” James John Corbett, affectionately known as “Gentleman Jim,” once remarked. Unlike many of his contemporaries, Corbett was never drawn to the raw brutality of boxing. Even as a youngster, at the tender age of twelve, his natural inclination in schoolyard scuffles was to strike and swiftly move away. Expelled from school at thirteen for fighting, Corbett’s path to the boxing world was almost predestined. His formal introduction to the sport came at the Olympic Athletic Club in San Francisco, where under the tutelage of Englishman Walter Watson, he honed the skills that would later define his career.
By day, Corbett was a banker, but by night, he transformed into an amateur boxing sensation. It wasn’t long before “Gentleman Jim” was celebrated as the middleweight and heavyweight champion of the Olympic Club. His prowess was such that he even held his own against seasoned professionals in exhibition matches, including a notable bout with future middleweight champion Jack Dempsey, “The Nonpareil.” Their thirty-minute duel was a testament to Corbett’s skill and tenacity.
Corbett’s professional debut took place in Salt Lake City, driven by the need to pay his rent. After a couple of fights in Utah, he returned to San Francisco, briefly stepping away from the ring to work for an insurance company. However, the allure of boxing proved too strong to resist, especially with the rise of an old amateur rival, Joe Choynski, who was making waves with his powerful punches.
The first professional encounter between Corbett and Choynski occurred on May 30th, 1889, in Fairfax, California. Their intense six-round battle was abruptly halted by the local sheriff, who insisted they continue their fight elsewhere. Six days later, in a different county, the two met again. This time, Corbett faced significant challenges: blistered feet and an injured right hand from their previous bout. Despite these setbacks, Corbett’s resourcefulness shone through. Unable to use his right hand effectively, he innovated with his left, introducing a lead left hook that would leave a lasting mark on the boxing world. In the twenty-eighth round, Corbett delivered a decisive left hook, ending the grueling match. In his autobiography, Corbett reflected on this fight as the “toughest battle that I had ever fought or was to fight.”
Corbett’s next significant challenge awaited him in New Orleans, where he faced Jake Kilrain, a formidable opponent who…
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