The Washington times., 1927-04-18

At that time, Young Corbett. who
was born in Denver as William H.
Rothwell on October 4. 1880, was
then barely Of age and was only in
his fourth year of professional box
ing.
He had started his ring career in
the vicinity OF his birthplace and
had engaged In only about thirty
bouts. While he had made some.
thing Of a reputation through the
West, he was little known to East.
ern followers Of pugilism and his
record was hardly impressive.
But this meant little when 1t came
to a meeting with McGovern. Terry
was then at the peak of his career.
The men who had fallen before Cor
bett had proven much easier for
Terry. A few months previous Terry
had knocked out the deadly hitting
Mexican featherweight, Aurelio Her
rara, and the year previous had
taken the measure Of such master
glovemen az Joe Cans and Frank
Erne, the lightweight champion.
And this was the great fighter
that Young CQrbett had dared to
tackle.
Although the Westerner talked
with an impressive cockiness during
training as to what he would do to
the great McGovern, the champion
was an overwhelming favorite at
ring time. But the cocky assurance
Of the newcomer stayed right with
him up to and through the contest.
He kidded Terry from the moment
they met on the day Of the battle and
just before they were ready to climb
into the ring. Young Corbett went
right up to the champions dressing
room and knocking on the door.
shouted:
"Come on out. McGovern, and
take your licking!'
This unusual nerve Of the
youngster fairly had McGovern
insane with rage. And he be.
came wilder vet when young
Corbett met his rushes with a
smile and stepped right i'm. trad
ing blow for blow.
Right at the bell Terry had rushed
out across the ring and ripped a
dazing blow to the head, but young
Corbett never seemed to lose his
confidence, and smiled right back
at the snarling lips Of the champion.
He maddened him into fighting
wildly, and met the attack with a
flow Of taunting and insulting in.
vectiveS.
That defeat broke the heart Of
the great McGoVern, but he made
another desperate attempt to square
accounts with. Young Corbet two
years later at San Francisco. Terry
put up a great fight. but once
again was forced to bow to defeat,
this time being knocked out in
eleven rounds.
Five years after their first
meeting the pair met again over
in Philadelphia in q six.rOund
decisiOnless contest.
Those few years had already taken
their toll from each. In fact, Nc.
Govern fought only twice more after
this and passed away victim Of
dissipation soon after. Young Cor.
bett was also very much on the
down grade by this time. The two
old enemies had become friends. and
their third meeting, while it was
devoid Of the bitter battling Of their
previous encounters, was hard
fought nevertheless.
But this time as they were ready
to enter the ring, It was Terry who
knocked at the door OF the dressing
room OF his conqueror.
Billy. said Terry, as he reached
out his hand. this time let us fight
without you calling me any names.
1t was the things you used to say to
me during fight that made me lose
my head. Some Of the things you
said to me were awful and IL you
could just fight 1t out without the
hard names / might have a chance
to beat you'll keep my head"
Fair enough" said Young Cor.
bett. wen fight it out like young
gentlemen. and MAY tbs best man
win"