is it true Corbett hadn't won a fight in over SIX YEARS .....

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Unforgiven, Jul 30, 2008.


  1. Unforgiven

    Unforgiven VIP Member banned Full Member

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    .... when he faced Jim Jeffries in 1900 ?

    If so, is this even a good win for Jeffries, considering Corbett took him into the 23rd round ?
     
    Unforgiven, Jul 30, 2008
    Unforgiven, Jul 30, 2008
    #1
  2. TBooze

    TBooze Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    It was a different era; Corbett toured with his World Championship rarely defending his championship. In 1900 Corbett was still a legitmate contender, even though he was past his best.
     
    TBooze, Jul 30, 2008
    TBooze, Jul 30, 2008
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  3. Unforgiven

    Unforgiven VIP Member banned Full Member

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    Well, I dont blame Corbett for doing what he wanted to do and making lots of money without fighting. Yes, it was common to that era. These men deserved the lives of leisure and celebrity that had fought so hard to attain.

    But, on what basis was Corbett a legitimate contender other than on the fact that he's Gentleman Jim Corbett ?
    The crop of contenders must have been awful or non-existent for his recent record to be interpreted as credentials.
    Since winning against Charley Mitchell in a title fight over six years earlier, he had semi-retired then made a comeback to defend against Fitzsimmons after a 3 year layoff, been KO'd by the middlewight champion, and been beaten up by Tom Sharkey (plus a 4-round draw to Sharkey before losing to Fitz).
    Either there are results and fights we dont know about, or he was a rusty old has-been.
     
    Unforgiven, Jul 30, 2008
    Unforgiven, Jul 30, 2008
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  4. TBooze

    TBooze Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Think of it like this:

    If Lennox Lewis came back this year and fought Wlad; I put it to you that Lewis would be considered a legitmate contender.... And Lennox has not fought period for five years, at least Corbett kept sharp with his tours!;)
     
    TBooze, Jul 30, 2008
    TBooze, Jul 30, 2008
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  5. Unforgiven

    Unforgiven VIP Member banned Full Member

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    Sure, they'd sell the fight to the public.
    But I wouldn't consider Lewis a legitimate contender, not even close.

    Corbett had fought more recently than Lewis had, but on the other hand he'd LOST his last two fights.
     
    Unforgiven, Jul 30, 2008
    Unforgiven, Jul 30, 2008
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  6. TBooze

    TBooze Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    But that is the thing, perception to the general public is what matters.

    I remember when Ali fought Holmes, and was legitimately stunned when I found out he lost. Sure I was six, but Ali was god, no one could beat him....

    Dempsey did not fight for three years, no one fought him anything other than Champ when he fought Tunney first time around though.

    Leonard was favoured to beat Norris, after everyone got stung in the Hagler bout.

    Icons automatically get contender (until proven they are not) status no matter what. Not least because normally it makes economical sense.
     
    TBooze, Jul 30, 2008
    TBooze, Jul 30, 2008
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  7. Mendoza

    Mendoza Hrgovic = Next Heavyweight champion of the world. banned Full Member

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    Corbett's offical record is still out there. He was active though and in the ring in numerous exhibition matches.

    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 (Young Corbett) 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 (morning)
    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 (afternoon)
    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 (morning)
    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
    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 (morning)
    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 SCH
    -This bout was scheduled but cancelled
    due to the deaths of Corbett's parents
    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
    Feb 22 Gus Ruhlin New York, NY SCH
    -This bout was scheduled; The outcome is not known
    Mar 20 Mike Donovan New York, NY EX 3
    Mar Gus Ruhlin EX
    -Corbett sparred with Ruhlin during Mar-Apr 1900
    in preparation for his bout with Jim Jeffries
    May 11 Jim Jeffries Brooklyn, NY LK 23
    -Heavyweight Championship of the World
     
    Mendoza, Jul 30, 2008
    Mendoza, Jul 30, 2008
    #7