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Corbett-Choynski Fight Site
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On June 5, 1889, one of the most famous of all boxing contests took place between heavyweight James J. Corbett and Joseph Choynski. The fight, outlawed in Marin County and San Francisco County, was staged on a large barge anchored off the western shores of Benicia-at noon, under a boiling sun. Many small rowboats, filled to capacity with excited spectators, rowed up to the barge, and five men were nearly drowned in boarding. A ring was pitched in the center of the barge where the contestants fought twenty-eight rounds. Corbett, age 21, wore boxing gloves, while Choynski, age 20, wore driving gloves. Corbett was declared the winner by a knockout and went on to become a world champion boxer.
