Even when compared to other filmed fighters from the 1800s, his technique still looks goofy. Older versions of Choynski, Professor Donovan, Billy Edwards, I’d even say Jeffries and Jack Root look like better boxers than Jim on film, and if you said that back in the day you’d probably be laughed out of any boxing discussion. This content is protected Did anyone critique Corbett? I heard Fitzsimmons made fun of his punching form.
@Richard M Murrieta can give you a first-hand critique. He sold programs at the Corbett-Sullivan fight.
Folks also critiqued Ali and Robinson, similarly for there unorthodox fighting. Newspapers get everything wrong. If it looks silly and it works look again and you might see something. If you read about James you may see he started as a rough kid just boxing other rough kids with no training. Corbett was a neighbourhood tough who went on to fight in seedy scenes early on against anyone people could find in the area, he had 6 months proper training for his first fight against a 215lber. Although much bigger (160lbs) but entirely inexperienced (6-7months) he sparred with Jack Dempsey (the first 144lbs) competitively for half an hour. He to me seems like a fast moved talent who kept winning so whats to change? Jimmmy Slattery used a similar style with success after Corbett.
Slattery seems like a fair comparison. He doesn’t look particularly soectacular on film, but contrary to Corbett his era looks fantastic.
I don’t recall reading anyone criticising Corbett for his actual style - other than for the fact that his style actually supported the objective (god forbid, lol) to hit and not get hit. I think even Jack Johnson described Corbett as a Fancy Dan who stayed away from trouble - but then Jack himself was of the relatively new school (at least minority) of fighters who gave self protection and preservation a second though. We all (or many of us) love the more dynamic, durable and willing to engage Fitzsimmons, but we can’t ignore that a grossly inactive Corbett was giving Ruby Rob a pretty good going over without return until in and round the round 6 mark (when a bruised and bloodied Fitz was dropped heavily). Corbett shot his was wad in that round trying to take Fitz out and his inactivity began to catch up with him fast, thereafter also. Fitz did some good work leading up to the 14th round KO - but I think Corbett’s self fatigue was perhaps as much a significant factor also. Fitz’s own pronounced lean back defensive measure could look a bit strange also - like a big board surfer adjusting his balance whilst riding a wave, lol.
