A weekly boxing list compiled by Michael Rosenthal. This week: 10 degrees of separation between active fighter Evander Holyfield and James J. Corbett, who won the heavyweight crown in 1892. If you can do it in fewer steps, please let me know. Also, let’s see who can go back in time the farthest connecting a current fighter with a past fighter in 10 steps or fewer.

James J. Corbett fought Jim Jeffries
Jeffries fought Jack Johnson
Johnson fought Jess Willard
Willard fought Jack Dempsey
Dempsey fought Jack Sharkey
Sharkey fought Joe Louis
Louis fought Rocky Marciano
Marciano fought Archie Moore
Moore fought Muhammad Ali
Ali fought Larry Holmes
Holmes fought Evander Holyfield

Note: Jeffries-Johnson represents the first degree of separation

Reader Chris Richards has already blown me away. He has connected Jim Jeffries (won title in 1899) to current titleholder Wladimir Klitschko in 10 degrees of separation. So, with his help, I adjusted my list from connecting Marvin Hart to Holyfield to connecting Corbett with Holyfield. His list:

Jim Jeffries fought Jack Johnson
Johnson fought Jess Willard
Willard fought Jack Dempsey
Dempsey fought Jack Sharkey
Sharkey fought Joe Louis
Louis fought Rocky Marciano
Marciano fought Archie Moore
Archie Moore fought Muhammad Ali
Ali fought Larry Holmes
Holmes fought Ray Mercer
Mercer fought Wladimir Klitschko

Michael Rosenthal can be reached at [email protected]