Connect with us

Boxing

Why James J. Corbett Never Won the Crowd

Published

4 months ago

on

James J. Corbett, heavyweight champion from 1892 to 1897, in a studio portrait

The criticism he faced for his hit-and-don’t-get-hit style predates newfangled debates about defensive boxing. Long before fighters like Shakur Stevenson were accused of risk-averse, Corbett was already accused of denying the public what they believed the heavyweight champion owed them. Fans viewed this style as evasion rather than intelligence.

These feelings were only strengthened when he took the title from John L. Sullivan. Corbett defeated a champion who was much loved and who embodied brutal strength, endurance and excess. He took Sullivan down round after round, turning the fight into something colder and less crowd-pleasing. The result was decisive, but many fans felt they had lost something.

Corbett’s style outpaced the audience, and his confidence in it left little room for compromise when resentment arose.

Corbett never repaired this relationship during his reign. He officially defended his title only once every few years, opting instead for exhibitions, stage work and acting opportunities. To newfangled readers, this may resemble early crossover ambitions. To his contemporaries, he suggested a master who preferred comfort and control to risk.

His public image reinforced this opinion. Corbett presented himself carefully, with a groomed appearance, a stylized pompadour and a desire to appear on stage and in early films. He was nothing like the die-hard heavyweight fans expected to represent the division. To his critics, he looked less like a fighter shaped by hardship and more like a fighter who boxed when it suited him.

This insight shaped the way we read his reign. A champion who fought infrequently, relied on movement and seemed comfortable outside the ring was judged less on his skill than on what he preferred not to risk.

Suspicion followed him inside the ropes, too. His 1900 knockout of Kid McCoy, recorded after a five-round stoppage, never went down well with observers. The circumstances of the fight, McCoy’s reputation and the abrupt ending fueled speculation that the outcome was staged. No piece of evidence closed the issue, but doubts remained about Corbett’s testimony.

The most damaging question of his career was never answered.

Peter Jackson was the most hazardous heavyweight of the era and one whom Corbett could not ignore. Their meeting in 1891 lasted sixty-one grueling rounds and ended in a no decision. None of them were finished and none of them were satisfied. When Corbett became champion the following year, Jackson expected another chance. He never received any.

Corbett gave practical explanations, pointing to narrow money and a hazardous opponent as reasons to continue fighting. On paper, these reasons were logical. In practice, they left a conspicuous absence at the center of his reign.

Race was hidden beneath every justification. The color line in boxing was real and openly enforced by champions before Corbett. Corbett did not make the same declarations, but the effect was identical. Jackson remained sidelined, and the unanswered challenge followed Corbett long after his title reign ended.

The reaction was immediate and personal. Corbett faced criticism not only from rivals and the press, but also from his own circle. Even fans had difficulty explaining why the most pressing challenge of the era remained unresolved.

By the time his career was over, the arguments had escalated. Corbett introduced a up-to-date way of fighting, but he also refused to perform the rituals that many fans associate with legality.

He won the heavyweight title, bringing the future to the ring. He never fully lived up to the expectations of his time.

Related Topics:
Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Boxing

Katie Taylor says the September 5 fight will be her last

Published

22 minutes ago

on

June 5, 2026

By

Image: Katie Taylor Says September 5 Fight Will Be Her Last

Katie Taylor’s farewell fight is now official.

On Thursday, Matchroom Boxing announced that Taylor will return to Dublin’s Croke Park on September 5 to defend her WBO, WBA, IBF and Ring Magazine titles against undefeated French challenger Flora Pili. The vacant WBC title is also at stake, giving Taylor a chance to become a three-time undisputed champion.


The event will be broadcast live worldwide on DAZN and is expected to attract over 80,000 fans to Ireland’s national stadium.

“It seems like the perfect way to end – to become Undisputed Champion once again on our national stadium that holds such a special place in Irish hearts. I’m grateful that this is happening and I can’t thank the people of this country enough for the support I’ve received over the years.

“People have traveled all over the world following my career and I hope I can return the favor with a confident performance on September 5. I have no illusions that Flora will pose a very arduous challenge; she is undefeated as a professional and has a good amateur pedigree, so I have the utmost respect for her.

“I have been blessed to have achieved more in this sport than I could have ever dreamed of, but fighting in Croke Park is truly the icing on the cake. I hope this event inspires a whole recent generation to take up sport and follow their passions.”

Taylor enters the fight with a 25-1 record. The event, which will take place on September 5, will be the first professional boxing event held in Croke Park since Muhammad Ali fought Alvin Lewis there in 1972.

Pili brings an undefeated record of 12-0 to the fight and will be looking for the biggest victory of his career. Tickets go on sale June 12 via Ticketmaster, with pre-sales starting earlier this week.

If successful, Taylor will retire as a three-time undisputed champion.

Click here to sign up for our FREE newsletter

Related boxing news:

Categories Katie Taylor

Last update: 2026/06/05 at 11:27

Continue Reading

Boxing

‘Rico’s eighth place in the rankings is crazy’ – three leapfrogged WBC heavyweights want Verhoeven next

Published

1 hour ago

on

June 5, 2026

By

Rico Verhoeven appears behind heavyweight contenders Andrii Novytskyi, Labinot Xhoxhaj and Guido Vianello after the WBC elevated the Dutch kickboxing champion to number eight in its heavyweight rankings.

World Boxing News spoke to three heavyweights who sacrificed themselves in the WBC rankings to give Rico Verhoeven his due for pushing Oleksandr Usyk to the eleventh round.

The Dutch kickboxing superstar debuted at number eight in the latest WBC heavyweight rankings, despite having only boxed twice as a professional.

The decision pushed several established contenders down the list, including undefeated Ukrainian Andrii Novytskyi, European champion Labinot Xhoxhaj and Italian challenger Guido Vianello.

“It’s My Time”

After Verhoeven’s arrival, Novytskyi dropped to twelfth place.

The 30-year-old Ukrainian is undefeated with a record of 16-0 and 12 knockouts, and gained momentum thanks to victories over Alexander Flores and David Zegarra.

When asked about Verhoeven’s ranking, Nowycki told WBN: “I think it’s my time to fight Rico.”

“Number Eight Is Crazy”

Vianello was even more candid.

The Italian heavyweight, who has wins over Arslanbek Makhmudov and Alexis Barriere, questions Verhoeven’s position while praising his performance against Usyk.

“Rico eighth in the WBC rankings is crazy!” Vianello told World Boxing News.

“I can fight him wherever and whenever he wants.

“In the match against Usyk, he deserved to continue the fight for another round and not be stopped.

“Now he can fight me.”

Vianello became the first ranked heavyweight to openly question Verhoeven’s stance while also volunteering to fight him.

Many observers felt the Dutchman had exceeded expectations in Egypt. Others are not convinced that a single professional defeat should give him an advantage over established rivals.

Mark Robinson

Ready for anything

In the latest rankings, Xhoxhaj ranks lower than Verhoeven, even though he holds the European heavyweight title.

The Kosovo-born contender, who boasts a record of 22-0-1 and 17 knockouts, has made it clear that he is open to any opportunity that comes his way.

“I’m prepared for anything, whether it’s Rico Verhoeven or not,” Xhoxhaj told WBN.

Next move

It’s clear from the comments that all three men currently ranked below Verhoeven would welcome the opportunity to test the former GLORY champion.

The WBC has already praised Verhoeven’s performance in the fight against Usyk, while BoxRec assessed his place among heavyweight contenders in a much less favorable manner.

All three will face Verhoeven in the blink of an eye.

It remains debatable whether Rico will risk losing to another challenger ahead of his proposed rematch with Usyk.

About the author

Phil Jay is the editor-in-chief of World Boxing News (WBN) and a boxing veteran with over 15 years of experience. Read the full biography.

Continue Reading

Boxing

Who is Flora Pili? Everything you need to know about Katie Taylor’s latest opponent

Published

2 hours ago

on

June 5, 2026

By

Who is Flora Pili? Everything you need to know about Katie Taylor’s final opponent

Katie Taylor’s swan song opponent in Croke Park has left many scratching their heads wondering who exactly is Flora Pili?

The 82,300-capacity stadium has been confirmed as the host venue as Taylor looks to reclaim her undisputed super lightweight crown on September 5 in Croke Park, Dublin.

The Irish phenom currently holds the IBF, WBO and WBA world titles, but as a “retired” WBC champion, she will also face Pili for the full green and gold belts.

This is because Sandy Ryan, currently the WBC champion on hiatus, will take a break from the sport during her pregnancy, giving Taylor a chance to become a three-time undisputed champion.

Meanwhile, the 39-year-old’s way to a successful farewell fight is Pili, who represents a somewhat unexpected opponent of one of the all-time greats.

Was Flora Pili a successful amateur?

Most importantly, Pili became a French youth champion and won the senior national title in 2015 and 2019 respectively, and also competed in several international tournaments during her amateur career.

Interestingly, she fought in the international round-robin tournament in Dublin, only to lose in 2017 to extremely talented amateurs Kellie Harrington and Irma Testa.

Pili also lost to Lucy Wildheart during her free campaign, only it was in 2016 and could not be used as ammunition against her professional credibility.

What are Flora Pili’s professional accolades?

Pili boasts a professional record of 12-0 (2 KOs), but most of her appearances have come against constrained opposition, at least compared to the level at which Taylor competed.

However, she overcame a split decision against Silvia Bortot to win the 2023 European title, and her last outing resulted in a majority points win over Jelena Janicijevic in December for the IBO belt.

Where does Flora Pili rank among the sanctioning bodies?

Pili is a top contender in both the WBC and IBF, while the WBA ranks her No. 4 in the super lightweight rankings.

The 28-year-old has clearly earned her high places in the rankings, overtaking Janicijevic, who showed a great performance in the 10-round fight.

Continue Reading
Advertisement

OUR NEWSLETTER

Subscribe Us To Receive Our Latest News Directly In Your Inbox!

We don’t spam! Read our privacy policy for more info.

Trending