It Happened Today in New York City

On February 18, 1933, former Heavyweight Champion of the World James J. Corbett died at his home in Bayside, Queens. Known as “Gentleman Jim”, Corbett faced some of the most legendary fighters of turn-of-the-century boxing, including Tom Sharkey, Bob Fitzsimmons, and Jim Jeffries. But he is best known for ushering in the era of Queensbury Rules boxing with his defeat of bare-knuckle champion John L. Sullivan. He retired in 1903 and bought a house in Bayside where he lived until his death at the age of 66.

• Posted in: Almanac