Corbett, James John(Gentleman Jim)

Us boxer, in the first match with gloves, 1892.

1866 - born - San Francisco, California

Was a heavyweight boxing champion. He was best known as "Gentleman Jim", the man who defeated the great John L Sullivan. He also coached boxing at the Olympic Club in San Francisco. He stood at 6`1, with a reach of 73 inches.

Dubbed by the media as "Gentleman Jim Corbett," he was college educated and in addition to boxing, pursued a career in acting, performing at a variety of theaters. He has been called the "Father of Modern Boxing" because of his scientific approach and innovations in technique. Some think that he changed prizefighting from a brawl to an art form.

1886 - His first known match agains't Duncan McDonald in Salt Lake City, UT,  to a draw in 8 rounds,

he won on points.

1891 - Corbett fought Peter "Black Prince" Jackson, because the reigning John L. Sullivan wouldn't fight Jackson because he was black. Corbett and Jackson fought to a draw after 61 rounds.

1892 - at the Olympic Club in New Orleans, Louisiana, Corbett won the World Heavyweight Boxing Championship by knocking out John L. Sullivan in the 21st round.

1894 - For his only title defense, Corbett knocked out Charley Mitchell of Great Britain in three rounds.

1894 - he took part in the production of one of the first recorded boxing events, a fight with Peter Courtney. This was filmed at the Black Maria studio at at West Orange, New Jersey, in the USA and was produced by

William K.L. Dickson. It was only the second boxing match to be recorded.

1897 - Jim Corbett lost his championship to the New Zealand boxer Bob Fitzsimmons on March 17,

in Carson City, Nevada.

1900-1903 - He failed 2 times, to regain the title, in fights with James J. Jeffries.

His career record was 20 victories, five losses, six draws, with two no-decisions.

1904 - Following his retirement from boxing, Corbett returned to acting, appearing on stage and in film.

1925 - Corbett also appeared on the stage and in films and wrote The Roar of the Crowd.

Following his retirement from boxing, Corbett returned to acting, appearing on stage and in film. He authored his autobiography under the title The Roar of the Crowd that was serialized by The Saturday Evening Post in six weekly installments during October/November of 1924. The following year, G.P. Putnam's Sons, published it in book form, marketing it as the "True Tale of the Rise and Fall of a Champion."

1942 - His story was made into a Hollywood motion picture titled, Gentleman Jim, starring

Errol Flynn as Corbett.

1990 - he was elected to the International Boxing Hall of Fame.