Young Corbett II

Young Corbett II (born William J. Rothwell on October 4, 1880 Denver, Colorado and died on April 10, 1927) is a boxer who held the World Featherweight championship. He took the name "Young Corbett II" in honor of James J. Corbett, a heavyweight champion.[1] Corbett was posthumously inducted into the Ring Magazine Hall of Fame in 1965 and the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2010.[2]

This article is about the American boxer born in 1880. For the Italian boxer born in 1905, see Young Corbett III.
Young Corbett II
Statistics
Real nameWilliam J. Rothwell
Weight(s)Featherweight
Nationality USA
Born(1880-10-04)October 4, 1880
Denver, Colorado
DiedApril 10, 1927(1927-04-10) (aged 46)
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record
Total fights112
Wins68
Wins by KO47
Losses23
Draws16
No contests5

Pro career

World featherweight champion

Corbett became a professional boxer in 1896 and was undefeated in his first 13 fights with a record of 9-0-3-1. In 1901, Corbett defeated George Dixon for the Western featherweight title in Denver, Colorado. In his next fight, Corbett faced world featherweight champion Terry McGovern in Hartford, Connecticut. Corbett knocked out McGovern in the second round and took the title. He defended the title four times, including a rematch against McGovern, which Corbett also won by knockout. During this time he also engaged in a number of non-title matches, including one against Young Erne and two against Jimmy Briggs, both of which Corbett won.[3]

Attempts to match British World Featherweight Champion Ben Jordan with Young Corbett were not successful.

During this time there is some dispute as to Corbett's claim on the featherweight title. Corbett had trouble making the featherweight limit of 126 pounds, and some sources claim he relinquished his title and moved to the lightweight division in December 1902. Abe Attell then claimed the featherweight title.[1] Other sources show that Corbett defended his featherweight title at weights above 126 pounds with Attell defending the title at 126 pounds.[4]

Later career

Regardless, Corbett continued to fight. He met future world champion Battling Nelson in two consecutive fights in 1904 and 1905, losing both by technical knockout. He then met old nemesis Young Erne in two more fights in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The first fight they fought to a draw. The second fight Corbett lost by decision.

He had a mixed record over the five years remaining in his career. Aurelio Herrera knocked him out in 1906, Harlem Tommy Murphy defeated him via decision, but he defeated Young Erne by decision in 1907. His last fight was in 1910.

Notable bouts
Result Opponent Type Rd., Time Date Location Notes[5]
Loss Harlem Tommy Murphy NWS 6 1907-01-09 National A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Newspaper Decision
Draw Terry McGovern NWS 6 1906-10-17 National A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Newspaper Decision
Loss Battling Nelson TKO 9 (20) 1905-02-28 Woodward's Pavilion, San Francisco, California
Loss Battling Nelson TKO 10 (20) 1904-11-29 Woodward's Pavilion, San Francisco, California
Loss Jimmy Britt PTS 20 1904-11-29 Woodward's Pavilion, San Francisco, California
Win Terry McGovern KO 11 (20) 1903-03-31 Mechanic's Pavilion, San Francisco, California Retained World Featherweight Title.
Win Terry McGovern KO 2 1901-11-28 Hartford Coliseum, Hartford, Connecticut Won World Featherweight Title.
Win George Dixon PTS 10 1901-08-16 Coliseum Hall, Denver, Colorado
Win Oscar Gardner TKO 6 (10) 1901-06-26 Wheel Club, Denver, Colorado

References
  1. Mullan, Harry (1987). The Great Book of Boxing. New York, New York: Crescent Books. p. 364. ISBN 0-7517-6295-4.
  2. "Young Corbett II". Ibhof.com. Retrieved 2014-06-02.
  3. "Young Corbett II". Cyber Boxing Zone. 1927-04-10. Retrieved 2014-06-02.
  4. "Boxing Record". Boxrec.com. Retrieved 2014-06-02.
  5. Young Corbett's Professional Boxing Record. BoxRec.com. Retrieved on 2014-05-18.
Achievements
Preceded by
Terry McGovern		 World Featherweight Champion
November 28, 1901 – 1902
Recognition Withdrawn		 Vacant
Title next held by
Abe Attell
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