Corbett, James

Corbett, (James John) “Gentleman Jim”

(1866–1933) boxer; born in San Francisco. A bank teller, he became a professional boxer in 1884. He became the first heavyweight champion under the modern padded gloves rules when he knocked out John L. Sullivan in 1892. After losing his crown in 1897 to Bob Fitzsimmons, he failed twice to regain the championship against James J. Jefferies in 1900 and 1903. His career record was 20 victories, five losses, six draws, with two no decisions. Between 1895–97, he also played baseball with minor league teams. On retiring from boxing he went on to appear on the stage and in movies. He wrote his autobiography, The Roar of the Crowd (1925).

The Cambridge Dictionary of American Biography, by John S. Bowman. Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1995. Reproduced with permission.