The Waterbury Democrat., 1933-02-15


 Corbett was not quite 20 years old when he battled Jackson 6l rounds at the California club in San Francisco. Jackson was 30 and with eight years of boxing behind him was regarded as at the height of his fighting prime. The date was May 2f, 1891.
 $lO,OOO Purse Set Up.
 When the bout was first suggest ed, the California club questioned the advisability of sending the vir- tually unknown Corbett against the great negro. Corbett's principal fight up to that time had been his victory over Choynski. Finally a purse of $10,000 was put up. :.
 Both men put in two months of hard training, though Jackson refused to take his young oppo- nent seriously, expressing the be- lief that he would win Tn SIX rounds. -
 Only members of the California club could attend the fight, as the wealthy sportsmen composing t assessed themselves for the sums necessary for purses. Before the bout there was great excitement in the streets. At request or po- lice. the club would not allow newspaper to install ringside wires or telephones.
 Crowd Likes Jim.
 The fight started at 10 p. m During the first few rounds the crowd applauded Corbetts aggres- siveness. Jim scored repeatedly with lusty lefts to the head ana body. Jackson used straight lefts and rights-and he had terrible right hand.
 During the years afterward Corbett's left arm often troupied him, 0 result of his use or It that night to ward off Jackson's punch es, And early in the fight he came to have 0 profound respect TOT Jackson's quick right to the heart "a blow that crunched ribs.
 Round after round, while the clocks hands turned past II, then past 12, these two tore into each other. Then, in the 41st round, it seemed that Corbett would win. He backed Jaskson into a corner, caught him off balance and poured punches upon the black mans head and body. But the slugger from St Croix battered his own way out.
 Both Hurt.
 Corbett's left forearm went lame. Jackson's shoulders became cramp- ed. and an ankle, injured in an accident Q few days before the fight, stiffened and swelled.
 Corbett circled his watchful ad- versary, who stood in the center of the ring, waiting for Jim to come close enough to be hit.
 After 55 rounds both were ex. hausted. Corbetts legs held out, but Jacksan's~ Injured ankle made every step pain. It appeared that Corbett could have bowled over Jackson with a shove. But Corbett had felt the fury of his foes right fist and would take no chances.
 The crowd yelled for action. With both men out on their feet. "the fancy" howled, Make 'em fight! MakeSem fight!"
 But there was no making these two fight longer. It was ? o'clock and they had struggled for four hours. Referee Hiram Cook ad- dressed both men and they replied they were doing the best they could.
 After 60 rounds, the two could only glare at each other. Cook stepped between them In the G1st and declared the combat mo con- test" Of the. $10,000 purse, each man was granted $2,500, with the privilege of fighting again for ST. 500. They never did.
 His Greatest Fight.
 Looking back upon his fighting career, Gentleman Jim declared Jackson the greatest man Fitz- simmons knocked Corbett out.
 Jeff and Eitz beat me-" said Corbett, "but neither of these gave me the awful time had with Jackson. He wouldn't let up for Q minute. He kept coming with those straight unches--stab ping and jabbing for what seemed hours that would never end.
 When fought Jeffries and FitzslmnIcns I could relax occas. sionally. But knew that I dared not ease up for one second against Peter Jackson"
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