James J. Corbett

James John Corbett (1 September 1866 to 18 February 1933), called Gentleman Jim by the press, was an American professional boxer and World Heavyweight Champion, best known as the only man to defeat John L. Sullivan. Despite a career of only 20 bouts he faced nine fighters who were later enshrined with him in the International Boxing Hall of Fame. He introduced a scientific approach to boxing in which technique and innovative methods triumphed over brute force, pioneered the daily training regimen, and has been called the Father of Modern Boxing. A showman in and out of the ring, he also had a career in acting before and after boxing. Born in San Francisco to an Irish immigrant father, he was the brother of baseball pitcher Joe Corbett.