The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1919-10-18

James J. Corbett carved his initials ir t'isr3ana's Hall Of Fame almost wholly at the expense of the old Roman, John L. Sullivan. Corbett achieved the undying distinction of being the first to shatter the cnarm which surrounded the fighting name of John L Sullivan when he took the worlds championship from this famous ringster in twenty-One rounds at New OreIeans in 1892. Shortly before this the youthful Californian fought a sixty-one round mo decision contest with Peter Jackson, the mar VeIous cOlOred man-the only boxer that John L. Sullivan ever refused to fight. Corbett whipped one Of the greatest big men that ever lived and in turn was vanquished by the greates- little man the roped arena has ever seen-BOb Fi zsirlmons His is the only instance known to the modern ring where = man won pug ilisnl's highest hOnors who was not 2 fighter in every sense of the word. Corbett, endowed with a suberb body and a nimbIe mind. was a master of the finesse of boxing His general ship. foot-work and repertoire of be- wildering blows, scientifically de- iye-ed, gave him rank with men like Mace, Sullivan, F'itzsinmoms, and Jefres. as formidable sovereigns in the Queensbury Realm. Corbett was more than a champion. His defeat of Sullivan, the triumph of science over brute force in the ring marked the advent of a new style Of boxing ! style which has exerted it's influ- ence to every class of American cham pions since.
 Jim Corbett's ascent to the pin nacle of glory in pugiIism started with the contradiction of a ring tra- dition and culminated in a still greater one. It has generally been held that g, fighters previous occu- patton fits or units him for the buffetings encountered in the strug- gle to a fistic title. History has dis closed the fact that in almost every case ring champions developed 9 rug@-d physique and enduring stamina in sI4e strenuous, muscle-buiIding trade or occupation before seeting fame and fortune with their fists. Sullivan was a professional ball pIayerer. F'itzsimmons developed his powerful arms and terrific hitt- ing power at the black-smith's anvil. Jefries grappIed with resisting iron
 
 Burns was a lacrosse player Cor bett alone 'prepared'' for the ring in a sedentary position. He was a bank clerk. Yet who s~nows wha+ 1 Corbett's confinement ia JaGh cage was but the dictates of Destiny and that, brainy ring technique. Corbett i in the cage sharpened his chief ring weapon as sedulusly and as surely as did Sullivan on the balI-fieId, EJtz at the anvil and Jeff with his ham mer.
 Corbett was the most natural born boxer the ring has ever produced. This is evidence by the fact that ! Gentleman Jim had scarcely any in structlon in the art of boxing when
 he gave some of his most dazz4Ing
 exhibitions of skill. Practically the first time Jim had the pillows on he outbOxed the respected instructor 1 at the famous Olympic Club of San i Francisco. One Saturday afternoon when the bank was closed down Cor 1 belt ambled into the Olympic gym 1 and watched Watson box with a pu- pil. Later the professor in search of i another opponent asked the youngster | Corbett if he would care to try 'go'.
 Don't be afraid to hit. Swing as hard as you can. That's the only i way to learn,'' Watson explained. l The bank clerk to the astonishment 1 of Watson waded in and placed iabs l and uppercuts without stint, giving
 at the same time an electrifying dem | onstration of neat foot-work. Wat | son had enough after two rounds. l How long have you been at 1t!-- fn- ] ouired the Briton rubbing his nose.