Young Corbett III

This article is about the Italian boxer born in 1905. For the American boxer born in 1880, see Young Corbett II.

Young Corbett III
Born	Ralph Giordano May 27, 1905 Rionero in Vulture, Basilicata, Italy
Died	July 15, 1993 (aged 88) Auberry, California, United States
Nationality	American
Other names	"Young Corbett III"
Statistics
Weight(s)	Welterweight Middleweight
Height	5 ft 7+1⁄2 in (171 cm)
Reach	67 in (170 cm)
Stance	Southpaw
Boxing record
Total fights	151
Wins	123
Wins by KO	33
Losses	11
Draws	17

Ralph Giordano (born Raffaele Giordano, May 27, 1905 – July 15, 1993), better known as Young Corbett III, was an Italian-born American boxer. He was the World Welterweight Champion in 1933 and the NYSAC Middleweight champion in 1938. A tough southpaw, he did not have strong punching power but was known for his great speed and determination. Corbett is considered one of the greatest southpaws of all time and one of the all-time great counterpunchers. He was inducted into the Fresno County Athletic Hall of Fame in 1959, the Italian American Sports Hall of Fame in 1982, and the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2004.

Biography

Early life

Born in Rionero in Vulture, in the Italian region of Basilicata, from Vito Giordano and Gelsomina Capobianco, he moved with his family to the United States when he was still an infant and was erroneously registered as Raffaele Capabianca Giordano. After four years of living in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, he moved to Fresno, California, and began boxing in 1919 while still a 14-year-old "newsboy." One day Corbett and a friend hopped a freight train headed for Sacramento searching for a match there but they arrived in Marysville by mistake, where they attended a boxing show that night. After convincing the promoter that he was a fighter, Corbett faced a more experienced boxer named Eddie Morris, who knocked him out in the third round. Corbett, however, earned $7.50 for his performance.

After graduating from Edison High School in 1920, Corbett began to practice more seriously. He got his stage name when a ring announcer told him he would not present him as Ralph Giordano and dubbed him "Young Corbett III" because his fighting style reminded him of William J. Rothwell, known as Young Corbett II, or, according to other sources, for his haircut similar to that of heavyweight champion James J. Corbett.

Boxing career

Corbett (facing camera) battles Jackie Fields at San Francisco's Seals Stadium,1933

Corbett fought many great fighters of his era, suffering only 5 defeats in his first 75 recorded bouts. He engaged in a four-fight series with future welterweight champion Young Jack Thompson, winning three and drawing once. He also scored wins over Jack Zivic, Sgt. Sammy Baker, welterweight champion Jackie Fields and future middleweight king Ceferino Garcia.

Before a crowd of 16,000 on February 22, 1933, Corbett captured the welterweight championship of the world by decisioning Jackie Fields over 10 rounds at San Francisco's Seals Stadium. He competed with a broken hand received from a sparring session three days before the fight, and hurt his left thumb in the fifth round but continued to fight undaunted. Referee Jack Kennedy remembered Corbett as "vicious in those first five rounds. He ripped him like a tiger. Fields could not protect himself".

Three months later, he was dethroned by Hall of Famer Jimmy McLarnin in a first round knockout. Corbett then moved up to the middleweight division. He scored wins over future light heavy champ Gus Lesnevich (TKO 5), as well as Hall of Famers Mickey Walker, and Billy Conn. On February 22, 1938 he beat Fred Apostoli, winning the middleweight championship. On November 18 of that year, he challenged Apostoli again, but was stopped in 8 rounds.

Retirement and death

Corbett boxed until August 20, 1940, winning his last fight against Richard "Sheik" Rangel. He retired with a 123-11-17 (33 KOs) record. He later operated a bar in Fresno. On October 2, 1945 Corbett survived a serious car accident on Highway 99 near Delano, suffering a fractured skull and other injuries. He died in Auberry, California at the age of 88, after about 20 years afflicted with Alzheimer's disease. A statue of him, posed in a fighting stance and boxing gloves, was erected in Fresno. The sculpture was realized by Clement Renzi.

Personal life

Beside the boxing career, Corbett was a physical education instructor for the California Highway Patrol and a grape grower. His cousin Al Manfredo (1912-1990) also was a boxer and later a boxing manager. Corbett is the great-grandfather of former American football safety Matt Giordano.

Professional boxing record

157 fights	124 wins	12 losses
By knockout	32	4
By decision	90	8
By disqualification	2	0
Draws	21

No.	Result	Record	Opponent	Type	Round, time	Date	Location	Notes
146	Win	113–12–21	Sheik Rangel	PTS	10	Aug 20, 1940	Italian Entertainment Park, Fresno
145	Win	112–12–21	Harry Cahill	PTS	10	Apr 15, 1940	Coliseum Bowl, San Francisco
144	Win	111–12–21	Dale Sparr	PTS	10	Mar 13, 1940	Auditorium, Oakland
143	Win	110–12–21	Dick Foster	TKO	7 (10)	Dec 14, 1939	Civic Auditorium, San Francisco
142	Loss	109–12–21	Fred Apostoli	TKO	8 (15)	Nov 18, 1938	Madison Square Garden, New York	For vacant NYSAC middleweight title
141	Win	109–11–21	Glen Lee	PTS	10	Jul 19, 1938	Ratcliffe Stadium, Fresno
140	Win	108–11–21	Jackie Burke	PTS	10	May 25, 1938	McCullough's Arena, Salt Lake City
139	Win	107–11–21	Fred Apostoli	PTS	10	Feb 22, 1938	Seals Stadium, San Francisco
138	Win	106–11–21	Dick Foster	PTS	10	Dec 17, 1937	Dreamland Auditorium, San Francisco
137	Loss	105–11–21	Billy Conn	UD	10	Nov 08, 1937	Duquesne Gardens, Pittsburgh
136	Win	105–10–21	Billy Conn	PTS	10	Aug 13, 1937	Auditorium, Oakland
135	Win	104–10–21	Joe Smallwood	PTS	10	Jul 21, 1937	Auditorium, Oakland
134	Win	103–10–21	Dale Sparr	PTS	10	Apr 02, 1937	Dreamland Auditorium, San Francisco
133	Win	102–10–21	Gus Lesnevich	TKO	5 (10)	Mar 12, 1937	Dreamland Auditorium, San Francisco
132	Win	101–10–21	Joe Bernall	PTS	10	Sep 18, 1936	Frank Chance Field, Fresno
131	Win	100–10–21	Mike Bazzonne	PTS	10	Jul 31, 1936	Dreamland Auditorium, San Francisco
130	Win	99–10–21	Frankie Britt	KO	7 (10)	Jul 10, 1936	Dreamland Auditorium, San Francisco
129	Loss	98–10–21	Lou Brouillard	PTS	10	Jul 04, 1935	Kezar Stadium, San Francisco
128	Win	98–9–21	Bep van Klaveren	PTS	10	Feb 22, 1935	Kezar Stadium, San Francisco
127	Win	97–9–21	Bep van Klaveren	PTS	10	Jan 28, 1935	Civic Auditorium, San Francisco
126	Win	96–9–21	Mickey Walker	PTS	10	Aug 14, 1934	Seals Stadium, San Francisco
125	Win	95–9–21	Young Terry	KO	3 (10)	Apr 13, 1934	Civic Auditorium, San Francisco
124	Win	94–9–21	Babe Marino	PTS	10	Feb 05, 1934	Civic Auditorium, San Francisco
123	Loss	93–9–21	Jimmy McLarnin	TKO	1 (10)	May 29, 1933	Wrigley Field, Los Angeles	Lost lineal welterweight title For inaugural The Ring welterweight title
122	Win	93–8–21	Jackie Fields	PTS	10	Feb 22, 1933	Seals Stadium, San Francisco	Won NBA and lineal welterweight titles
121	Win	92–8–21	Joe Glick	PTS	10	Dec 19, 1932	Exposition Auditorium, San Francisco
120	Win	91–8–21	Ceferino Garcia	TKO	9 (10)	Oct 25, 1932	Civic Auditorium, Fresno
119	Win	90–8–21	Babe Anderson	TKO	9 (10)	Aug 19, 1932	Stockton
118	Win	89–8–21	Vearl Whitehead	PTS	10	May 16, 1932	Civic Auditorium, San Francisco
117	Win	88–8–21	David Velaco	PTS	10	Apr 21, 1932	Memorial Auditorium, Sacramento
116	Win	87–8–21	Ceferino Garcia	PTS	10	Apr 12, 1932	Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles
115	Win	86–8–21	David Velasco	PTS	10	Mar 04, 1932	Dreamland Auditorium, San Francisco
114	Win	85–8–21	Gaston LeCadre	PTS	10	Aug 14, 1931	Dreamland Auditorium, San Francisco
113	Win	84–8–21	Meyer Grace	PTS	10	Jun 18, 1931	Legion Stadium, Hollywood
112	Win	83–8–21	Tommy Herman	PTS	10	May 01, 1931	Dreamland Auditorium, San Francisco
111	Win	82–8–21	Paul Pirrone	PTS	10	Mar 20, 1931	Dreamland Auditorium, San Francisco
110	Win	81–8–21	Paulie Walker	PTS	10	Feb 20, 1931	Dreamland Auditorium, San Francisco
109	Draw	80–8–21	Paulie Walker	PTS	10	Jan 13, 1931	Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles
108	Win	80–8–20	Farmer Joe Cooper	KO	1 (10)	Nov 05, 1930	Auditorium, Oakland
107	Win	79–8–20	Sammy Jackson	PTS	10	Sep 30, 1930	Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles
106	Win	78–8–20	Jack Thompson	PTS	10	Jul 04, 1930	Ewing Field, San Francisco
105	Win	77–8–20	Andy DiVodi	KO	6 (10)	May 16, 1930	Dreamland Auditorium, San Francisco
104	Win	76–8–20	Alf Ross	PTS	10	Apr 25, 1930	Dreamland Auditorium, San Francisco
103	Win	75–8–20	Jackie Fields	PTS	10	Feb 22, 1930	Recreation Park, San Francisco
102	Win	74–8–20	Babe Anderson	PTS	10	Jan 01, 1930	Forman's Arena, San Jose
101	Win	73–8–20	Bucky Lawless	KO	1 (10)	Aug 30, 1929	Dreamland Auditorium, San Francisco
100	Win	72–8–20	Clyde Chastain	PTS	10	Jun 21, 1929	Dreamland Auditorium, San Francisco
99	Win	71–8–20	Al Van Ryan	PTS	10	Jun 07, 1929	Dreamland Auditorium, San Francisco
98	Win	70–8–20	Pete Meyers	PTS	10	Apr 22, 1929	State Armory, San Francisco
97	Win	69–8–20	Fred Mahan	PTS	10	Mar 15, 1929	State Armory, San Francisco
96	Win	68–8–20	Al Gracio	TKO	8 (10)	Feb 11, 1929	State Armory, San Francisco
95	Draw	67–8–20	Pete Meyers	PTS	10	Jan 11, 1929	Ebbets Field, Brooklyn
94	Loss	67–8–19	Sergent Sammy Baker	PTS	12	Sep 26, 1928	Ebbets Field, Brooklyn
93	Win	67–7–19	Sergent Sammy Baker	PTS	12	Sep 13, 1928	Madison Square Garden, New York
92	Win	66–7–19	Nick Testo	KO	5 (10)	Aug 17, 1928	Dreamland Auditorium, San Francisco
91	Win	65–7–19	Jack Zivic	PTS	10	Jun 18, 1928	State Armory, San Francisco
90	Win	64–7–19	Tony Azevedo	PTS	10	Apr 20, 1928	Ballpark, Hanford
89	Win	63–7–19	Eddie Roberts	KO	9 (10)	Mar 12, 1928	State Armory, San Francisco
88	Win	62–7–19	Jack Thompson	PTS	10	Feb 13, 1928	State Armory, San Francisco
87	Win	61–7–19	Young Sam Langford	PTS	10	Dec 21, 1927	National Hall, San Francisco
86	Win	60–7–19	Gilberto Attell	KO	5 (10)	Dec 14, 1927	National Hall, San Francisco
85	Win	59–7–19	Sailor Ashmore	KO	5 (10)	Nov 22, 1927	Civic Auditorium, Fresno
84	Win	58–7–19	Dave Cook	KO	2 (10)	Nov 11, 1927	Civic Auditorium, Fresno
83	Win	57–7–19	Charlie Feraci	PTS	10	Oct 21, 1927	Coliseum, San Diego
82	Win	57–7–19	Joe Vargas	PTS	10	Sep 20, 1927	Civic Auditorium, Fresno
81	Win	56–7–19	Freddie Mack	PTS	10	Aug 05, 1927	Dreamland Rink, San Francisco
80	Draw	55–7–19	Tommy White	PTS	10	Jun 29, 1927	Dreamland Rink, San Francisco
79	Draw	55–7–18	Jack Thompson	PTS	10	Jun 24, 1927	Dreamland Rink, San Francisco
78	Win	55–7–17	Jack Silver	PTS	10	Jun 07, 1927	Fresno
77	Win	54–7–17	Young Harry Willis	DQ	10 (10)	Apr 13, 1927	Auditorium, Oakland
76	Draw	53–7–17	Billy Murphy	PTS	10	Mar 23, 1927	Auditorium, Oakland
75	Win	53–7–16	Larry Murphy	PTS	10	Mar 01, 1927	Civic Auditorium, Fresno
74	Win	52–7–16	Phil Salvadore	TKO	4 (10)	Jan 18, 1927	Civic Auditorium, Fresno
73	Win	51–7–16	Dick Hoppe	PTS	10	Dec 03, 1926	Legion Stadium, Hollywood
72	Win	51–7–16	Jack Sparr	TKO	3 (10)	Nov 03, 1926	Civic Auditorium, Fresno
71	Win	50–7–16	Jerry Young Carpentero	TKO	5 (10)	Sep 24, 1926	Civic Auditorium, Fresno
70	Win	49–7–16	Charlie Feraci	PTS	10	Sep 24, 1926	Coliseum, San Diego
69	Win	48–7–16	Sailor Ashmore	KO	5 (10)	Sep 10, 1926	Taft
68	Win	47–7–16	Joe Layman	PTS	10	Aug 27, 1926	Coliseum, San Diego
67	Win	46–7–16	Billy Alger	PTS	10	Aug 06, 1926	Coliseum, San Diego
66	Win	45–7–16	Leo Claro	KO	3 (10)	Jul 26, 1926	Taft
65	Win	44–7–16	Young Papke	PTS	10	Jul 13, 1926	Civic Auditorium, Fresno
64	Draw	43–7–16	Billy Alger	PTS	10	Jul 05, 1926	Pismo Beach
63	Win	43–7–15	Jack Sparr	PTS	10	Jun 29, 1926	Civic Auditorium, Fresno
62	Win	42–7–15	Joe Schlocker	PTS	10	Jun 16, 1926	Civic Auditorium, Fresno
62	Win	41–7–15	Young Burmay	KO	3 (6)	May 25, 1926	Taft
61	Win	40–7–15	Jack Thompson	PTS	6	May 18, 1926	Civic Auditorium, Fresno
60	Win	39–7–15	Danny McCoy	KO	4 (6)	May 10, 1926	Taft
59	Draw	38–7–15	Sam Robideau	PTS	10	Apr 23, 1926	San Pedro
58	Win	38–7–14	Freeman Black	TKO	4 (6)	Feb 23, 1926	Civic Auditorium, Fresno
57	Draw	37–7–14	Dick Hoppe	PTS	8	Feb 19, 1926	Bakersfield
56	Win	37–7–13	John Battling Ward	PTS	10	Jan 25, 1926	Taft Arena, Taft
55	Win	36–7–13	Jimmy Carter	KO	5 (6)	Jan 12, 1926	Civic Auditorium, Fresno
54	Win	35–7–13	Jack Garcia	TKO	5 (6)	Oct 26, 1925	Taft Arena, Taft
53	Win	34–7–13	Joe Powell	PTS	8	Jul 07, 1925	Policemen's Ballpark, Fresno
53	Win	33–7–13	Frankie Thomas	PTS	6	Jun 23, 1925	Policemen's Ballpark, Fresno
52	Draw	32–7–13	Young Sam Langford	PTS	10	Jun 19, 1925	Kern A.C., Bakersfield
51	Win	32–7–12	Billy Rayes	PTS	6	May 22, 1925	Hanford
50	Win	31–7–12	Joe Chaney	PTS	6	May 19, 1925	Civic Auditorium, Fresno
49	Win	30–7–12	Kid Kopecks	DQ	6 (8)	Apr 27, 1925	Civic Auditorium, Fresno
48	Loss	29–7–12	Jack McCarthy	PTS	10	Mar 24, 1925	Civic Auditorium, Fresno
47	Win	29–6–12	Gilbert Gallant	KO	2 (10)	Mar 11, 1925	Hanford
46	Draw	28–6–12	Julius Jessick	PTS	4	Feb 06, 1925	Civic Auditorium, Fresno
45	Win	28–6–11	Indian Mike Doyle	PTS	4	Dec 16, 1924	Civic Auditorium, Fresno
44	Draw	27–6–11	Julius Jessick	PTS	4	Nov 18, 1924	Civic Auditorium, Fresno
43	Win	27–6–10	Pete Francis	PTS	4	Sep 25, 1924	Hanford
42	Loss	26–6–10	KO Kelly	PTS	4	May 27, 1924	Arena, Vernon
41	Loss	26–5–10	Ad Cadena	PTS	4	May 08, 1924	Chief Petty Officers Club, San Pedro
40	Draw	26–4–10	Jack Sparr	PTS	4	May 02, 1924	Legion Stadium, Hollywood
39	Draw	26–4–9	Eddie Doody	PTS	4	Apr 25, 1924	Dreamland Rink, San Francisco
38	Draw	26–4–8	Sam Robideau	PTS	4	Apr 24, 1924	Chief Petty Officers Club, San Pedro
37	Win	26–4–7	Benny Berris	PTS	4	Apr 08, 1924	Civic Auditorium, Fresno
36	Draw	25–4–7	Joe Chaney	PTS	4	Mar 17, 1924	I.D.E.S. Hall, Tulare
35	Draw	25–4–6	J Roberts	PTS	4	Mar 06, 1924	Pasenda
34	Draw	25–4–5	Benny Berris	PTS	4	Mar 04, 1924	Civic Auditorium, Fresno
33	Win	25–4–4	Joe Bell	PTS	4	Jan 30, 1924	Merced A.C., Merced
32	Loss	24–4–4	Trench King	PTS	4	Dec 29, 1923	Civic Auditorium, Fresno
31	Win	24–3–4	Eddie Haden	PTS	4	Nov 20, 1923	Civic Auditorium, Fresno
30	Win	23–3–4	Clarence Sanchez	PTS	4	Nov 11, 1923	Hanford
29	Win	22–3–4	Georgie Lee	PTS	4	Oct 31, 1923	Civic Auditorium, Fresno
29	Win	21–3–4	Frankie Vierra	PTS	4	Oct 16, 1923	Civic Auditorium, Fresno
28	Win	20–3–4	Young Predella	PTS	4	Sep 18, 1923	Baseball Park, Fresno
27	Draw	19–3–4	Kid Ritchie	PTS	4	Sep 14, 1923	Fairgrounds, Tulare
26	Win	19–3–3	Clarence Sanchez	KO	3 (4)	Jul 12, 1923	Hanford
25	Win	18–3–3	Eddie Mahoney	PTS	4	Jun 28, 1923	Visalia
24	Win	17–3–3	Lee Weber	PTS	4	May 22, 1923	I.D.E.S. Hall, Tulare
23	Win	16–3–3	Kid Hudson	KO	2 (4)	May 10, 1923	Hanford
22	Win	16–3–3	Joe Simas	PTS	4	Apr 26, 1923	Tulare
21	Win	15–3–3	Clarence Sanchez	PTS	4	Apr 19, 1923	Hanford
20	Win	14–3–3	Bud Riley	SD	4	Apr 06, 1923	Bakersfield Arena, Bakersfield
19	Win	13–3–3	Pat Ryan	KO	1 (4)	Feb 16, 1923	I.D.E.S. Hall, Tulare
18	Win	12–3–3	Lee Weber	PTS	4	Feb 09, 1923	Hanford
17	Win	11–3–3	Jimmy Brady	PTS	4	Feb 06, 1923	Civic Auditorium, Fresno
16	Win	10–3–3	Billy Cole	KO	2 (4)	Jan 23, 1923	Civic Auditorium, Fresno
15	Win	9–3–3	Billy Jordan	TKO	2 (4)	Jan 09, 1923	Civic Auditorium, Fresno
14	Win	8–3–3	Eddie O'Connel	PTS	4	Oct 24, 1922	I.D.E.S. Hall, Tulare
13	Win	7–3–3	Kid Swan	KO	2 (4)	Jan 20, 1922	I.D.E.S. Hall, Tulare
12	Draw	6–3–3	Kid Hardy	PTS	4	Dec 15, 1921	Tulare
11	Loss	6–3–2	Eddie McGovern	PTS	4	Sep 27, 1921	Civic Auditorium, Fresno
10	Win	6–2–2	Young Peters	PTS	4	Jan 10, 1921	Porterville
9	Win	5–2–2	Terry McGovern	PTS	4	Sep 28, 1920	Civic Auditorium, Fresno
8	Win	4–2–2	Kid Chris	KO	2 (4)	Jul 23, 1920	Fresno
7	Win	3–2–2	Kid Chris	PTS	4	Jul 02, 1920	Fresno
6	Win	2–2–2	Terry Hogan	PTS	4	Jul 01, 1920	Fresno
5	Draw	1–2–2	Terry Hogan	PTS	4	Jun 18, 1920	Fresno
4	Loss	1–2–1	Eddie Morris	KO	3 (4)	Feb 05, 1920	Marysville
3	Loss	1–1–1	Jack O'Keefe	KO	3 (4)	Jan 13, 1920	Floral A.C., San Mateo
2	Draw	1–0–1	Kid Jeffries	PTS	4	Oct 03, 1919	Fresno
1	Win	1–0	Young McGovern	PTS	4	Sep 28, 1919	Fresno

See also

• List of welterweight boxing champions
• List of middleweight boxing champions

Bibliography

• James B. Roberts, Alexander G. Skutt, The Boxing Register: International Boxing Hall of Fame Official Record Book, McBooks Press, 2006
• David L. Hudson Jr., Combat Sports: An Encyclopedia of Wrestling, Fighting, and Mixed Martial Arts, ABC-CLIO, 2009

External links

• Boxing record for Young Corbett III from BoxRec (registration required)