James J. Corbett

James J. Corbett
Born	James John Corbett (1866-09-01)September 1, 1866 San Francisco, California, U.S.
Died	February 18, 1933(1933-02-18) (aged 66) Bayside, Queens, New York City, U.S.
Nationality	American
Other names	Gentleman Jim
Statistics
Weight(s)	Heavyweight
Height	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Reach	73 in (185 cm)
Stance	Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights	35
Wins	24
Wins by KO	12
Losses	4
Draws	3
No contests	2

James John Corbett (September 1, 1866 – February 18, 1933) was an American professional boxer and a World Heavyweight Champion, best known as the only man who ever defeated John L. Sullivan (hence the "man who beat the man" concept of the championship boxing lineage). Despite a career spanning only 20 bouts, Corbett faced the best competition his era had to offer, squaring off with a total of nine fighters who would later be enshrined alongside him in the International Boxing Hall of Fame.

Corbett introduced a scientific approach to boxing, in which technique and his innovative methods triumphed over brute force. He pioneered the daily boxing training routine and regimen, which was adopted by other boxers elsewhere and has survived to modern days almost intact. A "big-money fighter," Corbett was one of the first athletes whose showmanship in and out of the ring was just as good as his boxing abilities. He also arguably became the first modern sports sex symbol after the film of his championship prizefight against Robert Fitzsimmons was aired worldwide, popularizing boxing immensely among the female audience.^[1] He did so in an era in which prizefighting was illegal in 21 states and was still considered among the most infamous crimes against morality.^[2]

He also pursued a career in acting, both before and after his boxing career.