Young Corbett, who was Colorado’s first world boxing champion and shocked “Terrible” Terry McGovern in a vicious victory in 1901, on Tuesday was voted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame by the Boxing Writers Association.
Born William J. Rothwell in Denver in 1880, the fighter changed his name to Young Corbett II before turning pro in 1896. He gained the featherweight title by knocking out McGovern after two brutal rounds, then defended the belt four times. Those fights included an 11-round KO in a rematch with McGovern in 1903 and a 10-round decision over Kid Ned Broad at the old Denver Coliseum in 1902.
Corbett died in Denver on April 10, 1927, after compiling a pro record of 68-22-16.
Among the others who will be inducted in Canastota, N.Y., on June 13: manager Shelly Finkel and matchmaker Bruce Trampler, who have both worked with Denver boxer Mike Alvarado; broadcaster Howard Cosell; featherweight Danny “Little Red” Lopez; and Associated Press writer Ed Schuyler Jr.
