The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-03-26
JIM CORBETT,S FIRST LESSON.
How II Led Him 70 Continue Boxing and
Made Him Champion.

Made Him Champion.
Jim Corbett tells a story which shows
how he received his frst notion Of becoming
n fighter. Corbett was II when be made
up his mind that he would try his hand
at the boxing game. According to the
Californian, he had not the remotest idea
of pursuing the profession for livelihood
but took it up as an athletic diversion.
I was a big, powerful fellow event hen, >
said Corbett 20 THE Sun reporter the other
night. L used to be able to play a good
game Of baseball at the time, and in this
way butted into the Olympic Club, although
l was far from being eligible. This club
was the real thing. and it's members went in
for boxing almost exclusively. When
Joined the club determined TO take boxing
lessons, and was recommended 10 Walter
Watson, an Epglishman and the clubs
instructor.
i remember, Watson sized meup pretty
critically when / entered the gymnasium.
took a seat in a corner Of the room and
watched Watson instruct two Of the mem
bers. noticed that both pupils seemed
afraid TO strike out, and determined that
when l got the gloves on ] would 60 at
it quite differently. / stripped and was
ready for Watson. He asked me whether |
had done much boxing, and i admitted
that had had the gloves on a couple Of
times which was not true, for up 10 that
day had never done any kind Of spaTring.
-Show me what you can do he com
manded. rather authoritadvely, and don't
he afraid to hit me az hard as you can.
That's the only way TO learn, you know
Il was sceptical and made out that ] did
not understand him correctly. DO you
really want me to bit you as hard as l camp
asked. He said yes. but added you can
Now Watson had the reputation Of being
a clever fellow, and few men his weight
and age could locate him. Well, we went
at it and tore into him at a fast clip. l
swung and jabbed and uppercut and did
everything l knew how. l put all the
force at my command behind my punches
and in brief while he was forced to cry
quits.
when II was all over he turned TO me
and inquired:
Say, young fellow, is there any Irish in
'He was putting and a bit angry. |
that my parents were Irish, and !
that was proud Of the fact.
Well, all can say, young fellow he |
rs that in about three months /
liOlu now you II AACh lAlulk III lLt CluD. !
Let me tell you you are a natural born |
fighter, and some day you'll be the heavy |
weight champion Of the world Somehow /
Watson's words stirred me on, and decided |
10 continue boxing for a while. At the end /
N the three months / was quite seasoned. |
weight and heavyweight amateur champion
ships Of California. / had the gloves on
with Watson several times after those three
months we're up, and / had no trouble in
Oould never reconcile myself 10 Watson's
methods Of instruction. He knew nothing
n short arm jabs. hooks and other things
hat belong 20 the modern school.
studied the game on all sides and always
rad an idea that / could hit a man and
ret away without a return blow. Ipracti ed
DOT work, learned 10 get In and out. side
tep and duck In a manner contrary 70 the
I'D established rules. | practised the hook
he most. because while In close Il worked
-ery well and invariably earned for me
he decision.
After my amateur days went In for
lighting for all IL was worth. and you know
he rest. Watson was grand fellow, but he
would never admit that pupil could whip
lis instructor. But / made him cry quits
ust the same. He often remarked that
le was glad that did 30 on the hrst occasion
u our meeting.
/ think that had ! given you a sound
the day you came 20 me for your
lrst lesson, he told me, you would never
ave come back for more and California
would not have had the credit Of producing
man 10 whip the mighty John L. Sullivan
there's nothing that takes the heart out |
4 an ambitious boxer more than TO get
hra shed the hrst time he starts out
Il never admitted IL downright 20 him
hat such might have been the case but
avo often thought sinoe that had I not
ono as we'll as did at the time I might |
ever have formed the idea Of becoming
prgilist.'