"Gentleman" Jim Corbett
(James John Corbett)
Corbett was one of the greatest heavyweights of all-time; He has been called the "Father of Modern Boxing" because of his innovations in fighting style

He was clever, agile, and "jack-rabbit" quick; He utilized fast jabs and hooks, and possessed excellent footwork along with slippery head and body movement

Nat Fleischer ranked Corbett as the #5 All-Time Heavyweight and Charley Rose ranked him as the #9 All-Time Heavyweight; He was elected to the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1990
BORN : September 1 1866; San Francisco, California
DIED : February 18 1933; Bayside, Queens, New York

HEIGHT : 6-1 1/2 WEIGHT : 173-190 lbs
RACE : White; Irish-American MANAGER : William A. Brady

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AMATEUR BOUTS
Undated
--- Fatty Carney San Francisco, Ca W
-This was a "private" fight
1884
--- Joe Choynski San Francisco, Ca ND 1
1883-1885
-Corbett received boxing instructions from
Professor Walter Watson at the Olympic Club
in San Francisco, Ca

--- Walter Watson San Francisco, Ca EX
"Nonpareil" Jack Dempsey San Francisco, Ca EX
--- Mike Cleary San Francisco, Ca EX
-Cleary stated that Corbett "got away" from a
right-hand punch better than anyone he had
ever seen
--- Billy Keneally San Francisco, Ca W 4
--- Dave Eisemann San Francisco, Ca TK 2
-Corbett knocked Eisemann out of the ring;

-Corbett was recognized as Middleweight Champion
of the Olympic Club; Later, he became Heavyweight
Champion of the club

-Corbett beat many unnamed minor opponents in the
San Francisco, Ca area

-Corbett became a Golden Gloves Champion and won
Seven Silver Championship Cups in Amateur Boxing
on the Pacific Coast

-Corbett beat some Professional boxers in the
San Francisco, Ca area

--- "Professor" John Donaldson W 4
--- Martin "Buffalo" Costello W 3
1886
--- Billy Welch San Francisco, Ca L 4
--- Billy Welch San Francisco, Ca KO 1
Jul 14 Duncan McDonald Salt Lake City, Ut D 8
-Corbett used the name "Jim Dillon" for this bout;
Police intervened
Aug Duncan McDonald Salt Lake City, Ut EX 3

-Corbett married Olive Lake (divorced in 1895)

1887
Aug 27 Jack Burke San Francisco, Ca D 8

-Corbett became Boxing Instructor at the
Olympic Club in San Francisco, Ca

1887-1888
--- Frank Smith Salt Lake City, Ut KO 2
--- Duncan McDonald Evanston, Wy W 4
--- Tom Johnson in California W 4
--- "Captain" James C. Dailey in California TK 2
--- Mike Brennan San Francisco, Ca W 3
--- "Professor" William Miller in California W 6
--- Bill Hayes in California KO 3

1888
--- George Atkinson in California W 2
Jun 30 Frank Glover San Francisco, Ca EX 4

PROFESSIONAL BOUTS
1889
May 30 Joe Choynski near Fairfax, Ca NC 4
-Police intervened
Jun 5 Joe Choynski Benecia Harbor, Ca TK 27
-This bout was fought on a barge;
Corbett wore two-ounce gloves;
Choynski wore skin gloves with seams;
Weights: 180 - 172
Jul 15 Joe Choynski San Francisco, Ca W 4
Jul 29 Dave Campbell Portland, Or D 10
-Corbett was easily better
Sep 28 "Professor" John Donaldson San Francisco, Ca EX 3
Dec 12 "Australian" Billy Smith San Francisco, Ca W 10

1890
Feb 17 Jake Kilrain New Orleans, La W 6
-Gloves were used for this bout;
Weights: 183 - 201
Mar 20 "Professor" Mike Donovan New York, NY EX 3
Apr 14 Dominick McCaffrey Brooklyn, NY (12:20) W 4
Apr 30 "Professor" John Donaldson Sacramento, Ca EX
--- Jim Daly EX
-Daly worked as a sparring partner during
the fall of 1890 and was active in numerous
sparring exhibitions
Oct 8 John D. Spreckels San Francisco, Ca EX
-Corbett broke Spreckels' nose

1891
May 21 Peter Jackson San Francisco, Ca (4:03:00) D 61
-Weights: 182 - 198
Jun 26 John L. Sullivan San Francisco, Ca EX 4
Aug 5 Jim Hall Chicago, Il EX 4
Oct 8 Ed Kinney Milwaukee, Wi W 4

1892
Jan 18 Mike Donovan Philadelphia, Pa EX 1
-Corbett was easily better
Jan 19 Jim McVey Philadelphia, Pa EX 3
-Corbett was easily better;
McVey weighed around 240 lbs
Jan 20 Jack "Bubbles" Davis Philadelphia, Pa EX
-Corbett was easily better
Jan 21 Bob Caffrey Philadelphia, Pa EX 3
-Corbett was easily better
Jan 22 Mike Donovan Philadelphia, Pa EX 3
-Corbett was easily better
Jan 23 Bob Caffrey Philadelphia, Pa SCH
Jan 23 Jim McVey Philadelphia, Pa SCH
-The previous 2 bouts were scheduled the same date;
The outcomes are not known
Feb 11 Charley Mitchell New York, NY
-This bout was scheduled but cancelled;
Negotiations fell through
Feb 16 William Spilling New York, NY (1:55) EX 1
-Corbett knocked Spilling out;
Spilling was 5-11 and 185 lbs
Feb 16 Bob Caffrey New York, NY (0:55) EX 1
-Corbett knocked Caffrey out;
Caffrey was heavier than Spilling
Feb 16 Joe Lannon New York, NY EX 3
-Corbett was easily better;
Lannon was 5-11 and 227 lbs;
The previous 3 bouts were held the same date
Mar 2 Jim Brady Philadelphia, Pa EX 4
-Corbett was easily better
Mar 3 Billy McLean Philadelphia, Pa EX 4
-This was a friendly session since McLean was
59 years old; Corbett was easily better
Mar 4 Tommy Monoghan Philadelphia, Pa EX 2
-Corbett knocked Monogahn out
Mar 5 Jim Daly Philadelphia, Pa EX
Apr 6 Jim Daly New Haven, Ct EX 3
Apr 8 Jim Daly Buffalo, NY EX 3
Apr 13 Jim Daly Rochester, NY EX
Apr 23 Peter McCann Chicago, Il SCH
-This bout was scheduled; The outcome is not known
Apr 23 Jim Daly Chicago, Il EX 3
May 30 Jim Daly Trinidad, Co EX
Aug Jim Hall Chicago, Il EX 4
Aug 20 Jim Daly Newark, NJ EX 3
Aug 20 John McVey Newark, NJ (5:00) EX
-This bout was a wrestling contest
Aug 20 Jim Daly Newark, NJ EX 3
-The previous 3 bouts were held the same date
Aug 25 Jim Daly Asbury Park, NJ EX
Aug 29 Jim Daly New York, NY EX
Aug 29 Jim McVey Newark, NJ EX
-The previous 2 bouts were held the same date
Sep 2 Jim Daly Asbury Park, NJ EX
-This bout was a wrestling match;
Corbett and Daly got rough and an
argument ensued
Sep 3 Jim McVey Philadelphia, Pa EX
-This was a wrestling match - a 30 minute session
Sep 5 Jim Daly near Spartanburg, SC EX
-This bout was held on a "training car"
which was part of a southbound train
Sep 5 Jim Daly near Gainsville, Fl EX
Sep 5 Denny Dillon near Gainsville, Fl EX
Sep 5 Mike Donovan near Gainsville, Fl EX
-The previous 3 bouts were held on a "training car"
which was part of a train going from Gainsville
to Atlanta, Ga
Sep 5 Jim Daly New Orleans, La EX
-This was a wrestling match
Sep 7 John L. Sullivan New Orleans, La (1:30) KO 21
-Heavyweight Championship of the World;
Five-ounce gloves were used for this bout;
Some sources report a time of 1:45 of round 21;
Weights: 178 - 212
Sep 12 Joe Choynski New York, NY SCH
Sep 12 an unnamed opponent New York, NY SCH
Sep 12 an unnamed opponent New York, NY SCH
-The previous 3 bouts were scheduled the
same date; The outcomes are not known
Sep 14 Jim Daly Philadelphia, Pa EX 3
Sep 15 Jim Daly Providence, RI EX
Sep 16 Jim Daly Boston, Ma EX
Sep 17 John L. Sullivan New York, NY EX 3
-Corbett was easily better
Sep 19 an unnamed opponent Hartford, Ct SCH
Sep 20 an unnamed opponent Hoboken, NJ SCH
-The previous 2 bouts were scheduled;
The outcomes are not known
Sep 21 Jim Daly Waverly, NJ EX
Sep 22 Jim Daly Brooklyn, NY EX
Sep 23 Jim Daly Waverly, NJ EX 3
Sep 23 Jim Daly Newburgh, NY EX
Sep 26 Jim Daly Albany, NY EX 3
Sep 29 Jim Daly Buffalo, NY EX 3
-One minute rounds were sparred
Oct 4 "Professor" John Donaldson Wilmington, De EX 3
Oct 5 "Professor" John Donaldson Asbury Park, NJ EX
-This bout was part of the play "Gentleman Jack"

1893
--- Jim Daly Chicago, Il EX
Sep 4 "Professor" John Donaldson New York, NY EX 3
Oct 4 "Professor" John Donaldson Wilmington, De EX 3
Oct "Professor" John Donaldson Interlaken, NJ EX
Nov "Professor" John Donladson Cleveland, Oh EX
-This bout was held during November 20-25 1893
Nov 27 "Professor" John Donaldson Buffalo, NY EX
Dec 12 an unnamed opponent Augusta, Ga EX 1
Dec 16 John McVey Mayport, Fl EX
-This was a wrestling match
Dec 16 Dan Creedon Mayport, Fl EX
Dec 16 Tom Tracey Mayport, Fl EX
Dec 16 "Professor" John Donaldson Mayport, Fl EX
-The previous 4 bouts were held the same date
Dec 31 "Professor" John Donaldson Mayport, Fl EX
Dec 31 Dan Creedon Mayport, Fl EX
Dec 31 Tom Tracey Mayport, Fl EX
-The previous 3 bouts were held the same date

1894
Jan 8 an unnamed opponent Mayport, Fl EX
Jan 18 "Professor" John Donaldson Mayport, Fl EX
Jan 18 Dan Creedon Mayport, Fl EX
-The previous 2 bouts were held the same date
Jan 19 "Professor" John Donaldson Mayport, Fl EX
Jan 19 Dan Creedon Mayport, Fl EX
-The previous 2 bouts were held the same date
Jan 25 Charlie Mitchell Jacksonville, Fl KO 3
-Heavyweight Championship of the World;
Weights: 184 - 158
Jan 28 an unnamed opponent New York, NY
-This bout was scheduled; The outcome is not known
Feb an unnamed opponent Mobile, Al EX
Feb 12 "Professor" John Donaldson Philadelphia, Pa EX
-This bout was part of the play "Gentleman Jack"
Feb 24 Charlie Mitchell New York, NY EX 4
-Corbett was easily better
Apr 9 "Professor" John Donaldson Philadelphia, Pa EX 4
-This bout was part of the play "Gentleman Jack"
May 13 an unnamed opponent Paris, Fr EX
May Jim Daly Paris, Fr EX
May Charlomat Paris, Fr
-This bout was scheduled but cancelled;
Charlomat was a Savate Champion
Aug 16 an unnamed opponent Trenton, NJ EX
-This bout was part of the play "Gentleman Jack"
Sep 7 Peter Courtney Orange, NJ EX 6
-Corbett knocked Courtney out; This bout
was filmed by Edison's Kinetoscope;
It was the first motion picture fight;
Two-minute rounds were fought due to film
reloading requirements
Sep Steve O'Donnell Boston, Ma SCH
-This bout was scheduled; The outcome is not known

1895
Jan 4 Jim McVey New Orleans, La EX 3
-Corbett knocked McVey out; McVey weighed 225 lbs
Jan 6 Steve O'Donnell New Orleans, La SCH
-This bout was scheduled; The outcome is not known
Jan Steve O'Donnell Nashville, Tn EX
-This bout was part of the play "Gentleman Jack"
Jan 16 -Corbett spoke at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tn
on the topic of physical development
Feb 2 Steve O'Donnell Minneapolis, Mn EX
Feb 18 Steve O'Donnell Philadelphia, Pa EX
-Corbett and O'Donnell sparred nightly during Feb 18-23
Feb 28 Steve O'Donnell Scranton, Pa EX
Mar 5 -Corbett appeared at the Temple Theatre in Camden, NJ;
It is not known if he sparred
Mar 7 -Corbett appeared at Frankford, Pa;
It is not known if he sparred
Mar 7 -Corbett appeared at West Chester, Pa;
It is not known if he sparred
Mar 11 -Corbett was scheduled to appear at New Brunswick, NJ;
It is not known if he sparred
Mar 12 -Corbett was scheduled to appear at Elizabeth, NJ;
It is not known if he sparred
Mar 13 -Corbett was scheduled to appear at Hoboken, NJ;
It is not known if he sparred
Mar 14 -Corbett was scheduled to appear at Yonkers, NY;
It is not known if he sparred
Jun 8 Jim McVey New York, NY EX
Jun 27 John L. Sullivan New York, NY EX 3
Aug 13 Jim McVey Buffalo, NY EX 3
Aug 13 Jim Daly Buffalo, NY EX 3
-The previous 2 bouts were held the same date
Aug 15 -Corbett married Miss Stanhope
Sep 30 "Professor" John Donaldson New York, NY EX 1
Sep 30 Jim Daly New York, NY EX 1
Sep 30 Steve O'Donnell New York, NY EX 3
-Corbett had O'Donnell bleeding from the nose;
The previous 3 bouts were held during the afternoon
Sep 30 Tom Forrest New York, NY EX 3
-Corbett cpould have finished Forrest at any time
Sep 30 Steve O'Donnell New York, NY EX 3
-The previous 2 bouts were held during the evening
Oct 31 Bob Fitzsimmons Dallas, Tx
-Heavyweight Championship of the World;
This bout was scheduled but not held;
Negotiations fell through
Nov 11 -Corbett retired (only to return later);
He presented his title to Peter Maher
following Maher's knockout win over
Steve O'Donnell at Maspeth, NY

-Corbett divorced Olive Lake during the year and
married Jessie Taylor, an actress, known as Vera
Stanwood

1896
Apr 15 Boyd Frazer Chicago, Il (5:00) EX 1
-Frazer was wearing a padded suit; The round lasted
about five minutes because the timekeeper neglected
to notice when three minutes were up; Corbett landed
about 100 blows to six for Frazer
Jun 24 Tom Sharkey San Francisco, Ca D 4
-Police intervened;
Weights: 178 - 177 1/2
Aug 7 Billy Woods Cripple Creek, Co EX 4
Dec 14 Jim McVey New York, NY EX 3

1897
Mar 17 Bob Fitzsimmons Carson City, Nv (1:40) LK 14
-Heavyweight Championship of the World;
Weights: 183 - 167
May 14 Jim McVey Buffalo, NY EX 4

1898
Charles Lawler EX
Jul 27 Jim McVey Asbury Park, NJ EX
Jul 27 Ray Doyle Asbury Park, NJ EX
-The previous 2 bouts were held the same date
Jul 28 Ray Doyle Asbury Park, NJ EX
Jul 28 Tom Corbett Asbury Park, NJ EX
Jul 28 an unnamed opponent Asbury Park, NJ EX
Jul 28 an unnamed opponent Asbury Park, NJ EX
-The previous 4 bouts were held the same date (morning)
Jul 28 Jim McVey Asbury Park, NJ EX
Jul 28 George Green Asbury Park, NJ EX
-The previous 2 bouts were held the same date (afternoon)
Jul 29 Jim McVey Asbury Park, NJ EX
-This was a wrestling match
Jul 29 Tom Corbett Asbury Park, NJ EX
Jul 29 an unnamed opponent Asbury Park, NJ EX
-The previous 3 bouts were held the same date
Aug 1 an unnamed opponent Asbury Park, NJ EX
Aug 2 Jim McVey Asbury Park, NJ EX
-This was a wrestling match
Aug 2 Ray Doyle Asbury Park, NJ EX
Aug 2 Tom Lansing Asbury Park, NJ EX
Aug 2 an unnamed opponent Asbury Park, NJ EX
Aug 2 an unnamed opponent Asbury Park, NJ EX
-The previous 5 bouts were held the same date
Aug 4 Tom Corbett Asbury Park, NJ EX
Aug 4 Tom Lansing Asbury Park, NJ EX
-The previous 2 bouts were held the same date
Aug 6 George Considine Asbury Park, NJ EX
Aug 6 Tom Corbett Asbury Park, NJ EX
Aug 6 Jim McVey Asbury Park, NJ EX
-This was a wrestling match;
The previous 3 bouts were held the same date
Aug 7 Tommy Rice Asbury Park, NJ EX
Aug 7 Tom Corbett Asbury Park, NJ EX
Aug 7 Jim McVey Asbury Park, NJ EX
-The previous 3 bouts were held the same date
Aug 9 Tom Lansing Asbury Park, NJ EX
Aug 9 Billy Lavigne Asbury Park, NJ EX
Aug 9 Tom Corbett Asbury Park, NJ EX
Aug 9 A.L. Rice Asbury Park, NJ EX
Aug 9 Jim McVey Asbury Park, NJ EX
-This was a wrestling match;
The previous 5 bouts were held the same date
Aug 10 Tom Lansing Asbury Park, NJ EX
-Corbett knocked Lansing out
Aug 10 Tom Corbett Asbury Park, NJ EX
-Corbett badly damaged his brother's nose;
The previous 2 bouts were held the same date
Aug 13 Tom Lansing Asbury Park, NJ EX
Aug 13 Steve O'Donnell Asbury Park, NJ EX
Aug 13 an unnamed opponent Asbury Park, NJ EX
Aug 13 Jim McVey Asbury Park, NJ EX
-This was a wrestling match;
The previous 4 bouts were held the same date
Aug 14 Steve O'Donnell Asbury Park, NJ EX 6
-Corbett hit O'Donnell with devastating blows
Aug 15 Tom Lansing Asbury Park, NJ EX
Aug 15 Billy Lavigne Asbury Park, NJ EX
Aug 15 Tom Corbett Asbury Park, NJ EX
-The previous 3 bouts were held the same date
Aug 16 an unnamed opponent Asbury Park, NJ EX
Aug 16 an unnamed opponent Asbury Park, NJ EX
Aug 16 Steve O'Donnell Asbury Park, NJ EX 6
-This bout was stopped when Corbett received the
news of the deaths of his parents; His father
killed his mother and then himself;
The previous 3 bouts were held the same date
Sep 10 Charles "Kid" McCoy Buffalo, NY
-This bout was scheduled but cancelled
Nov 22 Tom Sharkey New York, NY LF 9
-Corbett lost by disqualification when his
second, Jim McVey, came into the ring in
protest of Sharkey's rough, wrestling tactics

1900
Mar 20 "Professor" Mike Donovan New York, NY EX 3
Apr Gus Ruhlin EX
-Corbett sparred Ruhlin during March - April 1900
in preparation for his bout with Jim Jeffries
May 11 Jim Jeffries Brooklyn, NY (2:11) LK 23
-Heavyweight Championship of the World;
Weights: 188 - 218
Aug 30 Charles "Kid" McCoy New York, NY KO 5
-It seems certain that McCoy faked the knockout
loss to win bets

1902
Dec 8 Tommy Burns Detroit, Mi EX 3

1903
Aug 14 Jim Jeffries San Francisco, Ca LT 10
-Heavyweight Championship of the World;
Weights: 190 - 220

1910
Mar 4 Jack Dillon Indianapolis, In EX 3

1925
--- Gene Tunney New York, NY EX 3