BOXER’S DEATH

Hokitika Guardian, 20 February 1933, Page 5

BOXER’S DEATH

LATE JIM CORBETT

A FORMER WORLD CHAMPION.

(United Press Association —By 1 Jeetrio

ieiegraph—Copyright;

NEW YORK, February 18,

Junius J. Ou'ixAt, the former heavyweight boxing champion, is dead, aged bf. He died in his wiles arms. Uor...ats last words were uttered a couple of . hours before his death when he ,-jpoke to nis wife, then he collapsed in tier arms. She held his head until lie died.

Just before the end he made an attempt to apeak to her, hue he was too weak. He was merely able to give her his last smile. Corbett had been suffering from a bad heart for several yeans. He was taken with a severe attack on January 31st., and had been confined to his bed since. Several times during the past fortnight he had been on the verge of death. He was attended by the Priest and the physician, but until to-day (Saturday) he had always rallied to appear stronger than lie was before. The one-time champion had wasted away to only a shadow of the man who knocked out John L, Sullivan, weighing only one hundred and forty pounds. He was so weak that much of the time he could hardly raise his hand in greetings. During his last illness Corbett was attended only by his wife and by his two old friends, Mr John Kelleher and M r - Denny Kelleher. He refused to have a nurse.

John Kelleher could hardly speak as he announced Jim’s death, hut his voice strengthened as be spoke of the last moments. He said: “Jim died, as he had often expressed a wish to die, in his wife’s arms. He had known for years that his days weie numbered by a weak heart. He and Mrs Corbett had talked of that day. ‘When it comes to my turn, dailing, lie often said ‘I will die happily if you are there to hold med’ He was m absolutely i:o pain at the end. He merely went to sleep and never woke.

SEVEN TITLE-HOLDERS REMAIN

SIX STILL EARNING LIVING

(Received this day at. 10.30 a.m.j VANCOUVER, February 19

Corbett’s death leaves seven former heavyweight, champions alive. Jeffries works in ;a Lo s Angeles butcher shop; Tommy Burns 'operates a llestiuran \ Gw York ; Johnson is teaching boxinc/jn Paris: Willard is a farm labourer in Okalahoma; Dempsey is promoting fights ; and Tunney is the only one wlios e fortune remains. Schmeling and Sharkey .are preparing for thei r - next fights.