Born Raffaele Capabianca Giordano on May 27, 1905 in Protenza, Campania, Italy. He came to this country as a child and settled with his family in Fresno, CA.
He began boxing in 1919 as Young Corbett III while still a 14-year-old "newsboy." A tough southpaw, Corbett would have to wait until 1933 for a world title bid. On his march to the title, the crafty Corbett would become a headliner in fight clubs in California. He engaged in a four-fight series with future welterweight champion Young Jack Thompson, winning three and drawing once. Wins over Jack Zivic, Sgt. Sammy Baker, and welterweight champion Jackie Fields (W10 non-title) and future middleweight king Ceferino Garcia (W10, W10) propelled him to a world welterweight title bout with Fields. On February 22, 1933 Corbett decisioned Fields over 10 rounds to win the championship. His reign was brief, losing the title to Hall of Famer Jimmy McLarnin three months later via a shocking one round knockout.
Corbett never again challenged for the welterweight belt, opting instead to campaign as a middleweight. Wins over future light heavy champ Gus Lesnevich (TKO 5), as well as Hall of Famers Mickey Walker (W10), Billy Conn (W10) and Fred Apostoli (W10) followed. In his second bout with Apostoli, held November 18, 1938, he was stopped in 8 rounds in a middleweight championship go. Corbett, who only boxed outside of California on five occasions, continued to box until 1940 before retiring with a 123-11-17 (33KOs) record.
He died in Auberry, CA at the age of 88 in 1993.
Born: May 27, 1905
Died: July 15, 1993
Bouts: 151
Won: 124
Lost: 12
Drew: 15
KOs: 32
Induction: 2004
Young Corbett III
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