Without question, one of the greatest athletes to wear the emblem of the Olympic Club, James John Corbett was affectionately known to all as “Gentleman Jim.” On September 7, 1892, Corbett became Heavyweight Boxing Champion of the World when he knocked out the legendary John L. Sullivan in the 21st round. This was the first Championship fought under the new Marquess of Queensberry rules, which demanded the use of gloves, and the format thus favored Jim who was one of the ring’s best and certainly the first of the really scientific fighters. During his five-year reign as champion, he revitalized a sport that had been outlawed in every state of the Union save Louisiana, and brought a mental capacity to a sport where illiteracy was the prevailing characteristic. His charm, wit, and intelligence presented a new image of a boxer.
Corbett was born in San Francisco. One of eleven children, he was the son of a Hayes Valley livery stable operator, Patrick Corbett, and his wife, Catherine both of whom had immigrated from Ireland. To help support his family, he quit school at the age of 13 and went to work at the Nevada Bank of San Francisco as a messenger. Within a few years, he was promoted to Teller and he continued his self-education by reading every book he could get his hands on. He eventually became a talented enough writer to have his articles and poems published in local journals.
In 1884, he was recruited by the Olympic Club but not as a boxer. He was chosen to play second base for the club’s baseball team. Unfortunately, he injured his left hand and was unable to start the season. Watson, the Olympic Club’s boxing coach was aware of Corbett’s boxing skills and encouraged him to try out for the boxing team. It wasn’t long before Corbett – with his speedy footwork, natural agility, height, and smooth-built body – became a champion in his weight division. So skilled had he become that not even the professional prizefighters would challenge him. From 1884 until 1900, he never lost a match while representing the Olympic Club in competition. During the last few years of his amateur status, Corbett assisted Watson in coaching the club’s boxers and was one of the Olympic Club’s most active members.
After building an outstanding reputation as an amateur, Corbett turned professional. His keenest local rival was Joe Choynski, with whom he had four bitterly fought contests. His next important contest was in 1891 with Peter Jackson, the talented West Indian African whom John L. Sullivan, the champion, had refused to fight. Jackson and Corbett fought 61 rounds to a draw when exhaustion overcame the fighters and the referee. The following year, Corbett met Sullivan in New Orleans, and the rest is history.
After a brilliant ring career, Corbett became a successful performer on the legitimate stage – a star in vaudeville and a player in motion pictures. He took to the lecture circuit and was active in radio work. He was for years a prominent member of the Friars Club and took part in innumerable benefit performances for charity. His love of the Olympic Club never faded. Until his death in 1933, one of Corbett’s closest friends was the late William F. Humphrey. They had known each other since 1900.
Corbett was married twice. His first wife was Olive Lake, an actress whom he married on June 8, 1886. They divorced in 1895. That same year, he married Jessie Taylor of Omaha, Nebraska at Asbury Park, New Jersey. They were married for 38 years. Corbett died of cancer in New York. Among the honorary pallbearers at his funeral at St. Malachy’s Church in Manhattan were George M. Cohan, Damon Runyon, Ring Lardner, Jack Dempsey, Gene Tunney, John McGraw, Grantland Rice, James J. Jeffries, Nat Fleischer and De Wolf Hopper.
“Gentleman Jim” was not only a great champion, but the Olympic Club’s best Ambassador of Goodwill. “The club lost a great friend,” stated William Humphrey on being informed of Corbett’s death.
