Harry Corbett (Bethnal Green)
Born: 14/02/1904, Bethnal Green, London
Died: 05/1957
Born Henry William Coleman, he turned pro under the alias 'Young Corbett' in tribute to his boyhood hero Gentleman Jim and so his parents wouldn't know that he was boxing professionally. As he grew older he dropped the 'Young' and became Harry Corbett.
After almost four years of fighting, Harry got a shot at Johnny Brown's British and European bantamweight titles. He had already beaten Brown in a non-title contest the previous year, but with the title now at stake Brown stopped him in the 16th round. A year later Harry took on Johnny Curley for the latter's British featherweight crown but lost on points over 20 rounds. Another two years elapsed before Corbett's next championship chance. But when it came he outpointed Sheffield's Johnny Cuthbert and was finally crowned British featherweight champion himself. They drew in a return championship match a year later, but Corbett lost his crown in a third title-meeting with Cuthbert in May 1929.
Corbett continued boxing for another four years. Other top men he beat include Kid Berg, Mick Hill, Len Fowler and Johnny Curley.
Recorded fights
Won: 127
Lost: 46
Drawn: 23
Divisions fought in
Lightweight
Featherweight
Bantamweight