Six one minute rounds were filmed. I think much of the film has been lost. Courtney was badly out classed. There are some other films. The Leonard vs. Cushing fight was filmed in 1894. Back in the day, this was a rare film. With the internet, its not. See the below link at the 2:03 mark. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1nVUXZGW_XQ One of the more interesting one was Sandow, the strong man of the times. I think he'd whip Courtney too. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VRmzoSnQWGk
Courtney was a "truck driver"in New Jersey, probably one of the toughest drivers of 'em all. Maher nearly killed him by accident but then they had one hell of a drinking session! The Corbett stuff was for film, three sided ring, James trying to carry Courtney for the proceeds. Interesting for all that.
Corbett looks pretty ridiculous himself, turning his head from punches, stiff armed, round house punches ... He was very fast though.
He is performing like any guy would perform who is several levels above his opponent. He's not worrying about crafty counters or subtly laid shots. He is toying with the guy, knowing full well he won't get touched, laughing, laying his chin out, countering only when needed to keep Peter in check. He looks pretty goddamned good.
They were the pioneers of the sport .. but let's face it, they weren't very good. If we're being honest, there isn't much difference between Corbett-Courtney and these guys ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dp5PxQp5UQE In fact, I think every guy in that backyard boxing video could take Courtney.
Exactly an interesting curio but not a real fight."Badly outclassed".atsch Thanks to Suzie for posting.:good
I completely disagree .. He does not duck, he does not hold his hands up, he throws stiff armed round house punches, he turns his head away from an opponent instead of slipping a punch .. you can see many of the same things thirty four years later in his sparring film w Tunney .. I have no doubt that Corbett was a physical marvel, extremely fast of hand and foot , superbly conditioned ( thru the Sullivan bout ) and very bright but he was a transitional fighter and you see far more straight punching ten years later from the Joe Gans and the Jack Johnsons of the ring ..
Watch Corbett sparring with Kid McCoy. The film is up close and clear. Corbett was crazy good with feints, and had cat quick reflexes with his head, arms, and legs. Peter Courtney was billed as the Champion of New Jersey. Corbett is toying with him for the camera. I read he knocked Courtney out on queue, but its not shown in this round.
On queue? It gets worseatsch Courtney's record date opponent W-L-D last 6 location 1895-05-07 This content is protected Charley Strong This content is protected - This content is protected - This content is protected New York, New York, USA L TKO 1 6 Courtney died the next year of tuberculosis. 1894-10-27 This content is protected Peter Maher This content is protected - This content is protected - This content is protected Nonpareil A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA L TKO 2 1894-10-06 This content is protected Peter Maher This content is protected - This content is protected - This content is protected Germania Theater, Hoboken, New Jersey, USA L PTS 3 3 W O . L 3.
