1910 T220 Mecca – Corbett II & Edwards SGC 3/2.5 – Both Hall of Famers For Sale

On the Set – 1910 T220 Mecca Cigarettes “Champion Athlete and Prize Fighter Series”
The T220 Prizefighter set was issued in 1910 by the American Tobacco Company inside packs of Mecca Cigarettes. Widely considered the most important early 20th-century boxing set, these cards feature detailed color lithographs on the front and rich fighter biographies on the reverse. The series documents both bare-knuckle champions of the 19th century and gloved-era stars of the early 20th century.

On Young Corbett II (William H. Rothwell, 1880–1927)
Nicknamed “Young Corbett II” in honor of heavyweight champion James J. Corbett, William Rothwell was born in Denver on October 4, 1880. He became a professional boxer in 1896 and compiled an early record of 9-0-3-1 before rising to prominence.

• World Featherweight Champion – In 1901, Corbett first claimed attention by defeating George Dixon for the Western featherweight title. That same year, he stunned the boxing world by knocking out reigning champion Terry McGovern in Hartford, Connecticut, to seize the World Featherweight Championship. Corbett defended the title four times, including a second knockout victory over McGovern.

• Later Career – Corbett continued fighting until 1910, including high-profile bouts with Battling Nelson and Young Erne. His career was marked by thrilling victories and dramatic defeats.

• Death and Honors – Corbett died suddenly of heart disease in Denver on April 10, 1927. He was posthumously inducted into the Ring Magazine Hall of Fame (1965) and the International Boxing Hall of Fame (2010).

On Billy Edwards (1844–1907)
Known as “Make-Believe Billy,” Edwards was born in Birmingham, England, in 1844 and began boxing at age 14. He quickly became one of the best lightweights of his era.

• American Lightweight Champion – On August 24, 1868, Edwards captured the American Lightweight Championship by defeating Sam Collyer in a 34-round marathon. He fought Collyer multiple times and built a reputation as one of the most respected fighters of his generation.

• Notable Fights – Edwards later faced Hall of Famer Charlie Mitchell in 1884, losing in the 3rd round. That bout effectively ended his active career.

• Life After Boxing – Edwards remained involved in the sport, serving as a trainer for heavyweight champion John L. Sullivan. Beyond boxing, he became a successful real estate investor. In 1894, he appeared in the Edison Company kinetoscope film Billy Edwards and the Unknown Boxer—one of the earliest boxing films ever made, preserved today in the Library of Congress.

• Death and Honors – Edwards died of Bright’s Disease in Brooklyn on August 13, 1907. He was later honored with induction into the International Boxing Hall of Fame.