The Waterbury Democrat., 1933-02-14

barrel-cheSted old Tom Shark
 But his five biggest bouts, and they totaled 147 rounds, were with Joe Choynskl, Peter Jackson, John l.. Sullivan, Bob Fitzsimmons and Jim Jeffries.
 Strangely, Corbett always man tained that hls 21-round bout with John L., who was deemed unbeat- able before he met Corbett, was his easiest. Those bloody 2S rounds on tho barge against Joe Choynski remained deeply in Jim's memory through more than 40 years.
 Peter Jackson surely was the greatest battler the old Phantom of Frisco ever met-and their 61 rounds of modified assault and battery remains one of ringdoms greatest clashes. But that will come later.
 To-day's essay concerns that real grudge fight that began In q tween Corbett, the Irishman, and Choynski. the Jew.
 First Purse Ncttcd Nothing
 Thesfrst time these two met 1t was to satisfy personal curl osity and animosity and they were paid nothing. Corbett was regarded at grade school, north of the cable-car slot in San Francis co, as being handy with his fists. At an early age his family had mi- grated from that turbulent region identified as south of the slot" and son became the champion of his nAt0hhnRhAaA ttnqt n a ChnVn- ski was tho fistic ruler of the Jew lsh community in which he lived.
 It was inevitable that they meet. As boys, they went out into the hills to settle their af- fair. Corbett won. But Choyn- skiw as not satisfied with defeat. He had no trouble, finding support for his claim that he could lick , the 1risher In q return engagement.
 Finally the bout was arranged for $1,000, winner take all. the scene to be n barn loft in San Anselmo, across sthe Golden Gate from San Francisco. In Choyn- skis corner were Nat Goodwin, Jack Dempsey (the Nonpareil), and Eddie Graney, who in later years was to become Q great ref cree. The referee was Patsy Ho. gan. Goodwin paid c messenger ger $40 to, notify tho manager of the thcater where he was billed that he was III.
 Barn Was Raidcd
 In the sixth round the sheriff and force of deputies raided the barn. Corbett and Choynsli escap- ed in ring togs. there was a wild scramble for exits, Patsy Hogan declared the bout e draw and no arrests were made.
 For days the argument ragged on the streets of San Francisco. The cry, "Choynslxi was winning!" would not be downed, though Cor bett's followers insisted he was aeri1s55 a9reiin5 the action when the police
 Six days after the scrap had started in the barn, both parties go together and set out into the bay, the destination known only to few. In Sulsan Bay. the launches tied up to q barge owned by Tom Williams, wealthy sportsman.
 Plenty of Dough Bet
 That was the morning of June 5, 1899, but there were $1,000 bills around at prize fights even then. of Corbett's seconds, handed Jim e grand" note, and told him to offer to bet with Choynski, the plan ip- tended to get Joe's goat. Corbett had no more than crossed the ring when Nose Gunst, Frisco sports man, took the wager.
 The sun was just rising when they started. For 16 rounds Cor bet relied upon his boxing to keep Choynski away. Jabs and fotwork were Jim's speciality.
 But suddenly in the 17th, Cor bett threw his boxing knowledge aside and administered a terrific body lacing to his opponent. Choyn- ski camc out desperate in the 18th let fly terrific haymaker that dazed Gentleman Jim and Corbett barely lasted the round.
 What A Fight!
 Then for three rounds, Corbett, recovering. literally slashed Choy- nski's face to ribbons. Seconds had to trim off the shredded flesh with scisosrs. Joe was weakening, but the gamester refused to let Eddie Graney throw in the sponge.
 Let him kill me first!" he mutt tered to his seconds.
 In the 27th 1t did seem as if Corbett would have to win that way. He knocked Choynski down five times&and Graney tossed in the sponge. Joe had to be helped to his corner. ll
 But Corbett had to walk with cane for weeks because of the ter rife rib blasting he took.
 NEWT. (tnx,I.nff sIaa VRaaisss, IRing.