Sullivan, John L.

Revision as of 06:07, 3 August 2022

John Lawrence Sullivan in his prime.

John Lawrence Sullivan (October 15, 1858 – February 2, 1918) is widely recognized as boxing's first modern world heavyweight champion and the last of the great bare-knuckle fighters. He was a hugely popular figure in the late-nineteenth century. Sullivan's boxing skills remain well known even today, more than a century after his last fight.

Sullivan fought famous bare-knuckle boxer Jake Kilrain in 1889 in a match considered a turning point in boxing history. It was the final world-title bout fought under the London Prize Ring rules, and therefore the last bare-knuckle heavyweight title bout. Sullivan won the fight after the seventy-fifth round of the grueling 80-round match.

In 1892, Sullivan faced "Gentleman" Jim Corbett in New Orleans wearing gloves under the Queensberry Rules, with the fighters wearing five-ounce gloves. Sullivan's rugged boxing style was no match for Corbett's refined skills; he was knocked out in the twenty-first round.

Known for his hard drinking and carousing, Sullivan swore off alcohol in his retirement and became a temperance lecturer. Having already spent most of his $1 million in ring earnings, he retired to a Massachusetts farm. At age 59, he died from the effects of his years of alcohol abuse.

Sullivan’s vast renown and charismatic style did much to advance the sport of boxing in America. He was the first true American sports idol and is still considered by some to be among the all-time best heavyweights.

Early life

Sullivan was born in Roxbury, Massachusetts (now a part of Boston) to Irish emigrant parents, Michael Sullivan from Abbeydorney, County Kerry and the former Catherine Kelly from Athlone, County Westmeath. Nicknamed "The Boston Strongboy," Sullivan apparently inherited his solid physique—he was five feet, ten inches tall and weighed 190 pounds—from his mother, who equaled her grown son’s stature. Sullivan’s father, although an aggressive scrapper himself, was barely five feet, three inches tall.

The young John L. Sullivan (with ball) as a basketball player for the First Methodist Episcopal Church in Chicago.

In his youth, Sullivan was arrested several times for boxing where the sport was forbidden. As a teenager, he would fight in Boston barrooms, issuing a challenge that he “could lick any man in the house.” In 1879, he challenged anyone in America to fight him for $500. Sullivan also engaged in weightlifting exhibitions, hefting, and sometimes throwing kegs of beer. He became more serious about fighting when at the age of 18, he engaged in three-round and four-round amateur bouts.

Sullivan briefly attended Boston College since his mother wanted him to become a priest. He then worked at various odd jobs, until his try at plumbing reportedly ended when he broke his employer’s jaw in a dispute about the proper pipe to use. A capable athlete, Sullivan played semi-pro baseball in the Boston area, and the Cincinnati Red Stockings offered him a contract, which he declined.

Sullivan’s big break came when he went to the Dudley Street Opera House in Boston in 1877. One of the acts featured heavyweight boxer Tom Scannel, who skipped rope, shadowboxed, and sparred with partners chosen from the audience. Often, the sparring partner was in on the act and would box two furious rounds before succumbing in the third. This night, Sullivan, urged on by the crowd, climbed the stage to face Scannel, who reportedly offered to shake hands, but suddenly slugged Sullivan instead. In return, Sullivan blasted Scannel with a half-dozen rapid blows and knocked him into the orchestra pit.

Professional career

The scene at the opera house launched young Sullivan on his professional career. In 1878, he knocked out Cockey Woods in Boston. In 1880, he boxed exhibitions with noted scientific boxer Professor Mike Donovan and former champion Joe Goss. Sullivan outclassed them both. The next year he scored an eight-round knockout over John Flood, known as the Bull’s Head Terror. Fighting on a barge in the Hudson River to evade the authorities, Sullivan made short work of Flood, knocking him down eight times. Both fighters wore tight, unpadded gloves.

On February 7, 1882, Sullivan met Paddy Ryan, the heavyweight champion—at least in American eyes—in Mississippi City, Mississippi. It was a bare-knuckle contest, and basically one-sided. Sullivan dominated the fight and knocked Ryan out in the eighth round with a right to the jaw. Sullivan was now considered the world champion, although there was some disagreement among British and Australian followers of the sport, since in Sullivan's era no formal boxing titles existed.

For the next two years, Sullivan went on a coast-to-coast tour by train with five other boxers, challenging anyone to stay in the ring with him for four rounds for a $1,000 prize. The tour was scheduled to comprise 195 performances in 136 different cities and towns over 238 days. He took on all comers. Only Joe "Tug" Wilson, an English fighter, went the four-round distance, although Wilson reportedly went to the floor 24 times during the bout to avoid being knocked out.

Sullivan in 1898

In 1883, Sullivan faced British Empire champion, Charlie Mitchell, in a gloved bout. Although Sullivan was winning the fight when the police stepped in to prevent the battered Mitchell from absorbing more punishment, Mitchell had shocked Sullivan and his fans by knocking him down in the first round. Their second meeting took place in 1888 on at the estate of Baron Rothschild at Chantilly, France in driving rain. It went on for more than two hours, at the end of which both men were unrecognizable and had suffered much loss of blood; neither could lift his arms to punch and the contest was considered a draw at 39 rounds.

The local gendarmerie arrived at this point and managed to arrest Mitchell, who spent the next few days in a cell and was later fined by the local magistrate, boxing being illegal in France at that time. Sullivan managed to evade the law, swathed in bandages, and was taken back across the English Channel to spend the next few weeks convalescing in Liverpool. Mitchell acted as Sullivan's corner man for many years after.

Depending on the modern authority, Sullivan was first considered world-heavyweight champion either in 1888 when he fought Charley Mitchell in France, or the following year when he knocked out Jake Kilrain in round 75 of a scheduled 80-round bout. However, at the time, neither match was considered to be about determining a world heavyweight champion. A champion's belt had been presented earlier to Sullivan in Boston on August 8, 1887, inscribed: Presented to the Champion of Champions, John L. Sullivan, by the Citizens of the United States. Its centerpiece featured the flags of the United States, Ireland, and the United Kingdom.

The Kilrain fight

The Sullivan-Kilrain fight went 75 rounds before Kilrain's corner conceded the match.

The Kilrain fight is considered to be a turning point in boxing history because it was the last world title bout fought under the London Prize Ring rules and therefore the last bare-knuckle heavyweight title bout.

For the first time, newspapers carried extensive pre-fight coverage, reporting on the fighters' training and speculating on where the bout would take place. The center of activity was New Orleans, but the governor of Louisiana had forbidden the fight in that state. Sullivan had trained for months in Belfast, New York under trainer William Muldoon, who reportedly struggled both to keep Sullivan away from liquor and to help him reduce his weight, which had ballooned to 240 pounds. Sullivan went into extensive training with champion wrestler William Muldoon to trim down to 205.

On July 7, 1889, an estimated 3000 spectators boarded special trains for the secret location, which turned out to be Richburg, a town just south of Hattiesburg. The fight began at 10:30 the following morning, and it looked as if Sullivan was going to lose, especially after he vomited during the forty-fourth round. But the champion got his second wind after that, and Kilrain's manager finally threw in the towel after the seventy-fifth round of the 80-round match.

Loss to Corbett

For three years after the Kilrain match, Sullivan did not fight. Instead he toured as the hero of a self-promoting play called Honest Hearts and Willing Hands. However, he continued to carouse and box in exhibitions, memorably one against "Gentleman" Jim Corbett, with both fighters sparring in formal evening attire.

James J. Corbett

During this period he became physically unfit. He finally agreed to defend his title in 1892 against Corbett. The heavyweight contest occurred under the Marquess of Queensberry rules, but it was neither the first title fight under those rules, nor was it the first title fight using boxing gloves.

The contrast of styles was obvious, matching Sullivan's power and ruggedness against Corbett's refined boxing skills. Out of condition due to his overly indulgent lifestyle, Sullivan was no match for Corbett, who stayed clear of the champion for 12 rounds. By the seventeenth, Corbett's tactics were wearing Sullivan down, resulting in his being knocked out in the twenty-first round.

Since no champion after him fought bare-knuckled, Sullivan is considered the last bare-knuckle champion. However, Sullivan had fought with gloves under the Marquess of Queensberry rules as early as 1880 and he only fought bare-knuckle three times in his professional career (Ryan 1882, Mitchell 1888, and Kilrain 1889). His bare-knuckle image came about largely due to his infrequent fights from 1888 up to the Corbett fight in 1892 which had been bare-knuckle.

Retirement

The aging Sullivan in 1904.

Sullivan retired, but appeared in several exhibitions over the next 12 years, including a three-rounder against Tom Sharkey and a final two-rounder against Jim McCormick in 1905. He continued his various careers outside boxing such as stage actor, speaker, celebrity, baseball umpire, sports reporter, and bar owner.

He did some acting and, surprisingly, swore off alcohol. Previously known for his prodigious drinking, Sullivan became a temperance lecturer. He retired to a Massachusetts farm, having depleted most of the $1 million he had earned in his public career.

In his later years Sullivan remained a teetotaler and often supported the temperance movement. However, he died of health problems caused by his earlier alcoholism at age 59 and is buried in the Old Calvary Cemetery in Mattapan, now a neighborhood of Boston.

Legacy

Sullivan’s vast renown and charismatic style did much to advance the sport of boxing in America. Sullivan has become a boxing immortal, the link between bare-knuckles and glove fighting. He was also the first great American sports idol. He is still considered by many commentators to be among the best heavyweights ever. Sullivan was elected to the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1990, as a member of the hall's original class.

Sullivan's professional record is estimated at 35 wins, one loss, and two draws, with 30 wins by knockout. However, he fought many exhibition matches, and the sources disagree on his exact record.

References
ISBN links support NWE through referral fees

Dibble, R.F. John L. Sullivan: An Intimate Narrative. Kessinger Publishing, 2007. ISBN 978-1432562380
Fleischer, Nat. John L. Sullivan: Champion of Champions. G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1951. ASIN B000JOFOZM
Isenberg, Michael T. John L. Sullivan and His America. University of Illinois Press, 1994. ISBN 978-0252064340
Pollack, Adam J. John L. Sullivan: The Career of the First Gloved Heavyweight Champion. McGarland & Company, 2006. ISBN 978-0786425587

External links

All links retrieved August 3, 2022.

The Boston Strongboy homepage.tinet.ie.

Credits

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History of "John L. Sullivan"

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+{{epname|Sullivan, John L.}}
-{{dablink|For the U.S. Secretary of the Navy, see [[John L. Sullivan (U.S. Navy)]]. For others, see [[John Sullivan (disambiguation)]].}}
 [[Image:John L Sullivan.jpg|framed|John Lawrence Sullivan in his prime.]]
+'''John Lawrence Sullivan''' (October 15, 1858 &ndash; February 2, 1918) is widely recognized as [[boxing]]'s first modern [[Heavyweight|world heavyweight champion]] and the last of the great bare-knuckle fighters. He was a hugely popular figure in the late-nineteenth century. Sullivan's boxing skills remain well known even today, more than a [[century]] after his last fight.
-'''John Lawrence Sullivan''' (October 15 1858 &ndash; February 2 1918) is widely recognized{{who}} as [[boxing]]'s first modern [[Heavyweight|world heavyweight champion]]{{Fact|date=May 2007}}.
+Sullivan fought famous bare-knuckle boxer [[Jake Kilrain]] in 1889 in a match considered a turning point in boxing history. It was the final world-title bout fought under the [[London Prize Ring rules]], and therefore the last [[Bare-knuckle boxing|bare-knuckle]] heavyweight title bout. Sullivan won the fight after the seventy-fifth round of the grueling 80-round match.
-The Boston Strong Boy
+In 1892, Sullivan faced "Gentleman" Jim Corbett in [[New Orleans]] wearing gloves under the [[Queensberry Rules]], with the fighters wearing five-ounce gloves. Sullivan's rugged boxing style was no match for Corbett's refined skills; he was knocked out in the twenty-first round.
-John L. Sullivan was an extraordinarily popular figure in the late ninteenth century, a living hero whose prowess in the ring brought him lasting fame. Sullivan remains well known even today, over one hundred years after his last fight. Born to Irish immigrant parents in the town of Roxbury, neighboring Boston, Sullivan apparently inherited his solid physique—he was 5’10” tall and weighed 190 pounds—from his mother, who equalled her grown son’s stature. Sullivan’s father, although an aggressive scrapper himself, was barely 5’3”.
+Known for his hard drinking and carousing, Sullivan swore off [[alcohol]] in his retirement and became a [[temperance]] lecturer. Having already spent most of his $1 million in ring earnings, he retired to a [[Massachusetts]] farm. At age 59, he died from the effects of his years of [[alcoholism|alcohol abuse]].
+{{toc}}
+Sullivan’s vast renown and charismatic style did much to advance the sport of [[boxing]] in America. He was the first true American [[sports idol]] and is still considered by some to be among the all-time best heavyweights.
-Sullivan briefly attended Boston College in an effort to satisfy his mother’s desire to have him become a priest. He worked for a short time as a hod carrier, his father’s profession, before becoming an assistant plumber, and then attempting to learn the tinsmith trade. His stint as a plumber reportedly ended when he broke his employer’s jaw in a dispute about the proper pipe to use on a job. A versatile athlete, Sullivan played semi-pro baseball in the Boston area. The Cincinnati Red Stockings offered him a contract, which he declined.
+==Early life==
+Sullivan was born in [[Roxbury, Massachusetts]] (now a part of [[Boston]]) to [[Irish people|Irish]] emigrant parents, Michael Sullivan from [[Abbeydorney]], [[County Kerry]] and the former Catherine Kelly from [[Athlone]], [[County Westmeath]]. Nicknamed "The Boston Strongboy," Sullivan apparently inherited his solid physique&mdash;he was five feet, ten inches tall and weighed 190 pounds—from his mother, who equaled her grown son’s stature. Sullivan’s father, although an aggressive scrapper himself, was barely five feet, three inches tall.
+[[Image:Sullivan-JL-young.jpg|thumb|250px|The young John L. Sullivan (with ball) as a basketball player for the First Methodist Episcopal Church in Chicago.]]
+In his youth, Sullivan was arrested several times for boxing where the [[sport]] was forbidden. As a [[teenager]], he would fight in Boston barrooms, issuing a challenge that he “could lick any man in the house.” In 1879, he challenged anyone in [[United States|America]] to fight him for $500. Sullivan also engaged in [[weightlifting]] exhibitions, hefting, and sometimes throwing kegs of [[beer]]. He became more serious about fighting when at the age of 18, he engaged in three-round and four-round amateur bouts.
-From an early age, Sullivan showed great proficiency with his fists. As a teenager, he would fight in Boston barrooms, issuing a challenge that he “could lick any man in the house.” He also engaged in weightlifting exhibitions, hefting and sometimes throwing kegs of beer. Sullivan turned to fighting more seriously at the age of eighteen when he engaged in three- and four-round amateur bouts. Sullivan’s big break came when he went to the Dudley Street Opera House in Boston in 1877. One of the acts featured heavyweight boxer Tom Scannel, who skipped rope, shadowboxed, and sparred with partners chosen from the audience. Often, the sparring partner was in on the act and would box two furious rounds before succumbing in the third. This night, Sullivan, urged on by the crowd, climbed the stage to face Scannel. Scannel, offering to shake hands, suddenly slugged Sullivan instead. In return, Sullivan blasted Scannel with a half-dozen rapid blows and knocked him into the orchestra pit.
+Sullivan briefly attended [[Boston College]] since his mother wanted him to become a [[priest]]. He then worked at various odd jobs, until his try at plumbing reportedly ended when he broke his employer’s jaw in a dispute about the proper [[pipe]] to use. A capable [[athlete]], Sullivan played semi-pro [[baseball]] in the Boston area, and the [[Cincinnati Red Stockings]] offered him a contract, which he declined.
-The scene at the opera house launched young Sullivan on his professional career. In 1878, he knocked out Cockey Woods in Boston. In 1880, he boxed exhibitions with noted scientific boxer Professor Mike Donovan and former champion Joe Goss. Sullivan outclassed them both. The next year he scored an eight-round knockout over John Flood, known as the Bull’s Head Terror. Fighting on a barge in the Hudson River to evade the authorities, Sullivan made short work of Flood, knocking him down eight times. Both fighters wore tight, unpadded gloves.
+Sullivan’s big break came when he went to the [[Dudley Street Opera House]] in Boston in 1877. One of the acts featured heavyweight boxer [[Tom Scannel]], who skipped rope, shadowboxed, and sparred with partners chosen from the audience. Often, the [[sparring partner]] was in on the act and would box two furious rounds before succumbing in the third. This night, Sullivan, urged on by the crowd, climbed the stage to face Scannel, who reportedly offered to shake hands, but suddenly slugged Sullivan instead. In return, Sullivan blasted Scannel with a half-dozen rapid blows and knocked him into the [[orchestra]] pit.
-The next year Sullivan met Paddy Ryan, the heavyweight champion—at least in American eyes—in Mississippi City, Mississippi. It was a bare knuckle contest, and basically one-sided. Sullivan dominated the fight and knocked Ryan out in the eighth round with a right to the jaw. Sullivan was now considered the world champion although there was some disagreement among British and Australian followers of the sport. In addition to his regular bouts, Sullivan went on an American tour, challenging anyone to stay in the ring with him for four rounds for a $1,000 prize. He took on all comers. Only Tug Wilson, an English fighter, went the distance.
+==Professional career==
+The scene at the opera house launched young Sullivan on his professional career. In 1878, he knocked out [[Cockey Woods]] in [[Boston]]. In 1880, he boxed exhibitions with noted scientific boxer Professor [[Mike Donovan]] and former champion [[Joe Goss]]. Sullivan outclassed them both. The next year he scored an eight-round knockout over [[John Flood]], known as the Bull’s Head Terror. Fighting on a barge in the [[Hudson River]] to evade the authorities, Sullivan made short work of Flood, knocking him down eight times. Both fighters wore tight, unpadded gloves.
-In 1883, Sullivan faced British Empire champion, Charlie Mitchell, in a gloved bout. Although Sullivan was winning the fight when the police stepped in to prevent the battered Mitchell from absorbing more punishment, Mitchell had shocked Sullivan and his fans by knocking him down in the first round. Five years later, the two met at the estate of Baron Rothschild in France. They battled in a rain-soaked ring for 39 rounds to a draw.
+On February 7, 1882, Sullivan met [[Paddy Ryan]], the heavyweight champion&mdash;at least in American eyes&mdash;in [[Mississippi City]], [[Mississippi]]. It was a bare-knuckle contest, and basically one-sided. Sullivan dominated the fight and knocked Ryan out in the eighth round with a right to the jaw. Sullivan was now considered the world champion, although there was some disagreement among British and Australian followers of the sport, since in Sullivan's era no formal boxing titles existed.
+For the next two years, Sullivan went on a coast-to-coast tour by train with five other boxers, challenging anyone to stay in the ring with him for four rounds for a $1,000 prize. The tour was scheduled to comprise 195 performances in 136 different cities and towns over 238 days. He took on all comers. Only Joe "Tug" Wilson, an English fighter, went the four-round distance, although Wilson reportedly went to the floor 24 times during the bout to avoid being knocked out.
-In 1889, Sullivan fought one of his most famous bouts with Jake Kilrain in the last significant bare knuckle bout in boxing. Kilrain was hailed by Richard Fox, the publisher of the Police Gazette, as the new champion. Fox disliked Sullivan for a perceived slight in a bar and had long searched for an opponent to topple him. Sullivan’s weight had ballooned to 240 flabby pounds, and he went into extensive training with champion wrestler William Muldoon to trim down to 205. In the fight, Sullivan got off to a good start by tripping and hip-tossing Kilrain to win the first two rounds. Sullivan was thrown in the third. From then on, Kilrain fought on gamely but Sullivan had the better of it. Beaten and battered, Kilrain could not come to scratch for the 76th round.
+[[Image:John L. Sullivan 1898.jpg|175px|thumb|left|Sullivan in 1898]]
-Sullivan did not fight for three years after the Kilrain match and instead toured as the hero in a mawkish play called Honest Hearts and Willing Hands. He continued to box in exhibitions, and to carouse. In one exhibition, against Gentleman Jim Corbett, both fighters sparred in full evening attire.
+In 1883, Sullivan faced [[British Empire]] champion, [[Charlie Mitchell]], in a gloved bout. Although Sullivan was winning the fight when the police stepped in to prevent the battered Mitchell from absorbing more punishment, Mitchell had shocked Sullivan and his fans by knocking him down in the first round. Their second meeting took place in 1888 on at the estate of [[Baron Rothschild]] at [[Chantilly, Oise|Chantilly]], [[France]] in driving rain. It went on for more than two hours, at the end of which both men were unrecognizable and had suffered much loss of blood; neither could lift his arms to punch and the contest was considered a draw at 39 rounds.
-In 1892, Sullivan faced Corbett in earnest in New Orleans as part of the Carnival of Champions, fought under the Queensberry Rules. The fighters wore five-ounce gloves. The contrast in styles was obvious. The powerful, steadfast Sullivan had little use for ring trickery or defense, while Corbett was known for his peerless boxing ability. Young and agile, Corbett outboxed Sullivan, who was out of condition as a result of his indulgent lifestyle. Corbett stayed clear of the champion for twelve rounds. By the seventeenth, Corbett’s forays were wearing Sullivan down and he had a clear advantage. Corbett knocked out Sullivan in the 21st round.
+The local ''gendarmerie'' arrived at this point and managed to arrest Mitchell, who spent the next few days in a cell and was later fined by the local [[magistrate]], boxing being illegal in France at that time. Sullivan managed to evade the law, swathed in bandages, and was taken back across the [[English Channel]] to spend the next few weeks convalescing in [[Liverpool]].
+Mitchell acted as Sullivan's corner man for many years after.
-Sullivan’s defeat demoralized his many fans, who had doted on the Boston Strong Boy’s apparent invincibility. Sullivan never fought again. He did some acting and, surprisingly, swore off alcohol. Previously known for his prodigious drinking, Sullivan became a temperance lecturer. He retired to a Massachusetts farm, having depleted most of the $1 million he had earned in his public career. Sullivan’s vast renown and charismatic style did much to advance the sport of boxing in America.
+Depending on the modern authority, Sullivan was first considered world-heavyweight champion either in 1888 when he fought [[Charley Mitchell]] in [[France]], or the following year when he knocked out [[Jake Kilrain]] in round 75 of a scheduled 80-round bout. However, at the time, neither match was considered to be about determining a world heavyweight champion. A champion's belt had been presented earlier to Sullivan in [[Boston, Massachusetts|Boston]] on August 8, 1887, inscribed: ''Presented to the Champion of Champions, John L. Sullivan, by the Citizens of the United States''. Its centerpiece featured the flags of the [[United States]], [[Ireland]], and the [[United Kingdom]].
-==Early life==
+===The Kilrain fight===
-He was born in [[Roxbury, Massachusetts]] (now a part of [[Boston]]) to [[Irish people|Irish]] emigrant parents, Michael Sullivan from [[Abbeydorney]], [[County Kerry]] and the former Catherine Kelly from [[Athlone]], [[County Westmeath]]. Sullivan was nicknamed ''The Boston Strongboy''. As a youth he was arrested several times for participating in bouts where the sport was outlawed, and he went on exhibition tours offering people money to fight him. In 1879, he challenged anyone in [[United States|America]] to fight him for $500.
+[[Image:Sullivan - Kilrain 5.jpg|thumb|250px|The Sullivan-Kilrain fight went 75 rounds before Kilrain's corner conceded the match.]]
+The Kilrain fight is considered to be a turning point in boxing history because it was the last world title bout fought under the [[London Prize Ring rules]] and therefore the last [[Bare-knuckle boxing|bare-knuckle]] heavyweight title bout.
-==Championships==
+For the first time, [[newspapers]] carried extensive pre-fight coverage, reporting on the fighters' training and speculating on where the bout would take place. The center of activity was [[New Orleans, Louisiana|New Orleans]], but the governor of [[Louisiana]] had forbidden the fight in that state. Sullivan had trained for months in [[Belfast, New York]] under trainer [[William Muldoon]], who reportedly struggled both to keep Sullivan away from liquor and to help him reduce his weight, which had ballooned to 240 pounds. Sullivan went into extensive training with champion wrestler William Muldoon to trim down to 205.
-In Sullivan's era, no formal boxing titles existed. He became a champion after defeating [[Paddy Ryan]] in [[Mississippi City, Mississippi|Mississippi City]] on February 7 1882. Modern authorities have retroactively labelled Ryan the "Heavyweight Champion of America," but he could certainly be considered as much a "world champion" as Sullivan.
-In 1883 - 1884 Sullivan went on a coast-to-coast tour by train with five other boxers. It was scheduled to comprise 195 performances in 136 different cities and towns over 238 days. To help promote the tour, Sullivan announced that he would box anyone at any time during the tour under the [[Marquess of Queensberry rules|Queensberry Rules]] for $250. It has been claimed he [[knockout|knocked out]] about 30 men during the tour, but there is no proof to back this claim.
+On July 7, 1889, an estimated 3000 spectators boarded special trains for the secret location, which turned out to be [[Richburg, Mississippi|Richburg]], a town just south of [[Hattiesburg, Mississippi|Hattiesburg]]. The fight began at 10:30 the following morning, and it looked as if Sullivan was going to lose, especially after he vomited during the forty-fourth round. But the champion got his [[second wind]] after that, and Kilrain's manager finally threw in the towel after the seventy-fifth round of the 80-round match.
-Depending on the modern authority, Sullivan was first considered world heavyweight champion either in 1888 when he fought [[Charley Mitchell]] in [[France]], or the following year when he knocked out [[Jake Kilrain]] in round 75 of a scheduled 80-round bout. But in truth, neither match was considered at the time to be about determining a world heavyweight champion.
+===Loss to Corbett===
+For three years after the Kilrain match, Sullivan did not fight. Instead he toured as the hero of a self-promoting [[play]] called ''Honest Hearts and Willing Hands''. However, he continued to carouse and box in exhibitions, memorably one against "Gentleman" [[Jim Corbett]], with both fighters sparring in formal evening attire.
-When the modern authorities talk of the heavyweight championship of the world, they are probably referring to the championship belt presented to Sullivan in [[Boston, Massachusetts|Boston]] on August 8 1887. The belt was inscribed ''Presented to the Champion of Champions, John L. Sullivan, by the Citizens of the United States''. Its centerpiece featured the flags of the US, Ireland, and the United Kingdom.
+[[Image:James corbett 1890.jpg|thumb|125px|James J. Corbett]]
-Mitchell came from [[Birmingham]], [[England]] and fought Sullivan in 1883, knocking him down in the first round. Their second meeting took place in 1888 on the grounds of a chateau at [[Chantilly, Oise|Chantilly]], France in driving rain. It went on for more than two hours, at the end of which both men were unrecognisable and had suffered much loss of blood; neither could lift his arms to punch and the contest was considered a draw.
+During this period he became physically unfit. He finally agreed to defend his title in 1892 against Corbett. The heavyweight contest occurred under the [[Marquess of Queensberry rules]], but it was neither the first title fight under those rules, nor was it the first title fight using boxing gloves.
-The local ''gendarmerie'' arrived at this point and managed to arrest Mitchell, who spent the next few days in a cell and was later fined by the local magistrate, boxing being illegal in France at that time. Sullivan managed to evade the law, swathed in bandages, and was taken back across the [[English Channel]] to spend the next few weeks convalescing in [[Liverpool]].
+The contrast of styles was obvious, matching Sullivan's power and ruggedness against Corbett's refined boxing skills. Out of condition due to his overly indulgent [[lifestyle]], Sullivan was no match for Corbett, who stayed clear of the champion for 12 rounds. By the seventeenth, Corbett's tactics were wearing Sullivan down, resulting in his being knocked out in the twenty-first round.
-Mitchell acted as Sullivan's corner man for many years after.
-==The Kilrain fight==
+Since no champion after him fought bare-knuckled, Sullivan is considered the last bare-knuckle champion. However, Sullivan had fought with gloves under the [[Marquess of Queensberry rules]] as early as 1880 and he only fought bare-knuckle three times in his professional career (Ryan 1882, Mitchell 1888, and Kilrain 1889). His bare-knuckle image came about largely due to his infrequent fights from 1888 up to the Corbett fight in 1892 which had been bare-knuckle.
-[[Image:Sullivan - Kilrain 5.jpg|thumb|Sullivan-Kilrain fight]]
-The Kilrain fight is considered to be a turning point in boxing history because it was the last world title bout fought under the [[London Prize Ring rules]] and therefore the last [[Bare-knuckle boxing|bare-knuckle]] heavyweight title bout.
-For the first time, newspapers carried extensive pre-fight coverage, reporting on the fighters' training and speculating on where the bout would take place. The center of activity was [[New Orleans, Louisiana|New Orleans]], but the governor of [[Louisiana]] had forbidden the fight in that state. Sullivan had trained for months in [[Belfast, New York]] under trainer [[William Muldoon]], whose biggest problem had been keeping Sullivan from liquor.
+==Retirement==
+[[Image:Sullivan-John-L-Old-man.jpg|125px|thumb|The aging Sullivan in 1904.]]
+Sullivan retired, but appeared in several exhibitions over the next 12 years, including a three-rounder against [[Tom Sharkey]] and a final two-rounder against [[Jim McCormick]] in 1905. He continued his various careers outside boxing such as [[stage]] [[actor]], [[speaker]], [[celebrity]], [[baseball umpire]], [[sports]] [[reporter]], and bar owner.
-[[Rochester, New York|Rochester]] reporter [[Arch Merrill]] commented that occasionally Sullivan would "escape" from his guard, and the cry was heard in the village, "John L. is loose again. Send for Muldoon!" Muldoon would snatch the champ away from the bar and take him back to their training camp.
+He did some acting and, surprisingly, swore off [[alcohol]]. Previously known for his prodigious drinking, Sullivan became a temperance [[lecturer]]. He retired to a Massachusetts [[farm]], having depleted most of the $1 million he had earned in his public career.
-On July 7 1889 an estimated 3000 spectators boarded special trains for the secret location, which turned out to be [[Richburg, Mississippi|Richburg]], a town just south of [[Hattiesburg, Mississippi|Hattiesburg]]. The fight began at 10:30 the following morning, and it looked as if Sullivan was going to lose, especially after he vomited during the 44th round. But the champion got his [[second wind]] after that, and Kilrain's manager finally threw in the towel after the 75th round.
+In his later years Sullivan remained a [[teetotaler]] and often supported the [[temperance movement]]. However, he died of health problems caused by his earlier [[alcoholism]] at age 59 and is buried in the [[Old Calvary Cemetery]] in [[Mattapan, Massachusetts|Mattapan]], now a neighborhood of Boston.
-Undefeated at that point, Sullivan did not defend his title for the next four years, becoming unfit. He finally agreed to defend his title in 1892, losing to [[James J. Corbett|"Gentleman Jim" Corbett]] in 21 rounds. The heavyweight contest occurred under the [[Marquess of Queensberry rules]], but it was neither the first title fight under those rules nor was it the first title fight using boxing gloves.
-Sullivan is considered the last bare-knuckle champion because no champion after him fought bare-knuckled. However, Sullivan had fought with gloves under the [[Marquess of Queensberry rules]] as early as 1880 and he only fought bare knuckle three times in his entire career (Ryan 1882, Mitchell 1888, and Kilrain 1889). His bare-knuckle image was created because both his infrequent fights from 1888 up to the Corbett fight in 1892 had been bare-knuckle.
-==Retirement==
-Sullivan retired, but appeared in several exhibitions over the next 12 years, including a three-rounder against [[Tom Sharkey]] and a final two-rounder against [[Jim McCormick]] in 1905. He continued his various careers outside boxing such as stage [[actor]], speaker, celebrity baseball umpire, sports reporter, and bar owner.
-In his later years Sullivan became a [[teetotaler]] and often supported the [[temperance movement]]. He died of health problems caused by his earlier alcoholism, aged 59, and is buried in the Old Calvary Cemetery in [[Mattapan, Massachusetts|Mattapan]], now a neighborhood of Boston.
 ==Legacy==
-*He was inducted into the [[International Boxing Hall of Fame]] in 1990, as a member of the hall's original class. He had a record of 35 wins, 1 loss and 2 draws, with 30 wins by knockout, though many sources disagree on his exact record.
+Sullivan’s vast renown and charismatic style did much to advance the sport of boxing in America. Sullivan has become a boxing immortal, the link between bare-knuckles and glove fighting. He was also the first great American sports idol. He is still considered by many commentators to be among the best heavyweights ever. Sullivan was elected to the [[International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1990]], as a member of the hall's original class.
-*He is known to have been an [[autograph]] signer, and there are many items including documents and photos known to bear his signature, which are valued in the hundreds of dollars. A photo with a facsimile autograph surfaced decades ago on books, magazines and in novelty stores, and has been widely circulated.
-*Professional wrestler "Cast-Iron" Cothern has a portrait tattoo of John L. Sullivan on his right arm in tribute to him.
-*Edward's Steakhouse in El Monte, Ca. serves a large New York Cut steak dinner named after legendary boxer John L. Sullivan.
+Sullivan's professional record is estimated at 35 wins, one loss, and two draws, with 30 wins by knockout. However, he fought many exhibition matches, and the sources disagree on his exact record.
 == References ==
-*Arch Merrill, ''A River Ramble'', 1943
+* Dibble, R.F. ''John L. Sullivan: An Intimate Narrative''. Kessinger Publishing, 2007. ISBN 978-1432562380
+* Fleischer, Nat. ''John L. Sullivan: Champion of Champions''. G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1951. ASIN B000JOFOZM
+* Isenberg, Michael T. ''John L. Sullivan and His America''. University of Illinois Press, 1994. ISBN 978-0252064340
+* Pollack, Adam J. ''John L. Sullivan: The Career of the First Gloved Heavyweight Champion''. McGarland & Company, 2006. ISBN 978-0786425587
 == External links ==
-*Book - John L. Sullivan and His America (ISBN 0-252-06434-8)
+All links retrieved August 3, 2022.
-*[http://www.boxrec.com/boxer_display.php?boxer_id=010547 John L. Sullivan Boxing Record]
-*[http://homepage.tinet.ie/~abbeydorney/book/boston.html The Boston Strongboy]
+*[http://homepage.tinet.ie/~abbeydorney/book/boston.html The Boston Strongboy] ''homepage.tinet.ie''.
-*[http://www.startribune.com/blogs/oldnews/?p=141 Yesterday's News] An 1883 newspaper account of a Sullivan exhibition in St. Paul, Minn.
-[[Category:art, music, literature, sports and leisure]]
+[[Category:Art, music, literature, sports and leisure]]
+[[Category:Biography]]
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