Young Corbett II

World Featherweight Champion

Corbett turned professional in 1896 and lost none of his first thirteen fights; after that run, his record stood at nine wins, three draws, and one no-contest. In 1901, he defeated George Dixon in Denver, thereby claiming the Western Featherweight title.

In his next fight, he faced world featherweight champion Terry McGovern in Hartford. Corbett knocked McGovern out in the second round and took over the world title. He defended the title four times, including a rematch against McGovern, which he also won by knockout. During that period, he also fought several non-title bouts, including against Young Erne and twice against Jimmy Briggs, winning them all.

A bout with British world featherweight champion Ben Jordan never took place. There is some uncertainty surrounding Corbett's hold on the title: he had difficulty making the 126-pound limit, and some sources state that he relinquished the title in December 1902 and moved up to lightweight, after which Abe Attell proclaimed himself featherweight champion. Other sources indicate that Corbett defended his title at weights above 126 pounds, while Attell defended the title at 126 pounds.

Later career

Corbett continued fighting. He faced future world champion Battling Nelson in two consecutive bouts in 1904 and 1905, losing both by technical knockout. He then faced old rival Young Erne twice in Philadelphia: the first bout ended in a draw, and he lost the second on points.

The final five years of his career were mixed. Aurelio Herrera knocked him out in 1906 and Harlem Tommy Murphy defeated him on points, but in 1907 he again defeated Young Erne on points. His last professional fight took place in 1910; until his death in 1927, he continued to box in exhibition bouts.

Death

Corbett died suddenly in April 1927 after collapsing outside the State Theatre in Denver. His death was attributed to heart disease; in the preceding week, he had complained to friends of chest pain.

Boxing stance: orthodox.

• World Featherweight Champion (1901).

• Four defenses of the world featherweight title, including a knockout victory over Terry McGovern in the rematch.

• Western Featherweight Champion (1901).

• Posthumously inducted into the Ring Magazine Hall of Fame (1965).

• Posthumously inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame (2010).

1896: turns professional; remains unbeaten in his first thirteen bouts (nine wins, three draws, one no contest).

1901: defeats George Dixon in Denver and wins the Western featherweight title.

1901: knocks out Terry McGovern in the second round and becomes world featherweight champion.

1902: defends the world title, among others against Kid Broad and Joe Bernstein.

1904: loses the world title to Jimmy Britt.

1904-1905: loses twice to Battling Nelson.

1907: defeats Young Erne again.

1910: final professional bout; continues boxing in exhibition matches until 1927.

1965: posthumously inducted into the Ring Magazine Hall of Fame.

2010: posthumously inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame.

Corbett was one of the defining featherweights around the turn of the century: unbeaten in his first thirteen professional fights and world champion in 1901 after stopping Terry McGovern in the second round.

His posthumous induction into the Ring Magazine Hall of Fame (1965) and the International Boxing Hall of Fame (2010) underscores his place in boxing history.