John L. Sullivan, left, bare-knuckle bout
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John L. Sullivan: Boxing's First Heavyweight Champion of the World
Every boxing fan or knowledgeable sports fan should easily recall John L. Sullivan. He was the first Heavyweight Champion of the world. His prowess and panache was legendary. He reportedly drank sweet tea mixed with whiskey between rounds and in 1879 this Irish-American icon challenged anyone in
America to fight for $500.00. He trained hard, he fought hard, and he drank hard.
In 1882 Sullivan, then a young up-and-comer, fought Paddy Ryan in a bare-knuckled fight and won to become the North American Champion. He went on to defend his title successfully for many years. He did refuse to fight a top contender, and reputed Champion of the Commonwealth, named Jackson who was black. This caused a bit of controversy at the time and is really the only mar on his record. It has been written that it was not he who refused to fight but his manager who was a notorious racist.
Sullivan's' reign as champ was marked by several important firsts and lasts. As stated before he was the first recognized World Heavyweight Champion in
history and the last bare-knuckle champ on record. In 1889 he fought Jake Kilrain for 75 rounds in the very last title bout fought under the often brutal London
Prize Ring rules. He was the first World Champ to lose his title under the then new Marquess Of Kingsbury rules to Gentleman Jim Corbett.
The Kilrain bout was a bloody brawl and the detailed press coverage helped steer boxing towards the Marquess-of-Queensbury rules which are still evident in boxing to this day. The big differences were the use of padded boxing gloves and timed limited rounds.
Sullivan received a lot of world press coverage during and after his reign as heavyweight champ due to his charisma. He was known as "The great John L..." or "The Boston Strong-boy." He was a big man for his era standing five-feet eleven inches and weighed a solid 220 pounds. After his retirement he became a guest speaker and sorts prognosticator. He gave up alcohol and smoking and tried to maintain his life as a good role model for young men and sportsmen.
America to fight for $500.00. He trained hard, he fought hard, and he drank hard.
In 1882 Sullivan, then a young up-and-comer, fought Paddy Ryan in a bare-knuckled fight and won to become the North American Champion. He went on to defend his title successfully for many years. He did refuse to fight a top contender, and reputed Champion of the Commonwealth, named Jackson who was black. This caused a bit of controversy at the time and is really the only mar on his record. It has been written that it was not he who refused to fight but his manager who was a notorious racist.
Sullivan's' reign as champ was marked by several important firsts and lasts. As stated before he was the first recognized World Heavyweight Champion in
history and the last bare-knuckle champ on record. In 1889 he fought Jake Kilrain for 75 rounds in the very last title bout fought under the often brutal London
Prize Ring rules. He was the first World Champ to lose his title under the then new Marquess Of Kingsbury rules to Gentleman Jim Corbett.
The Kilrain bout was a bloody brawl and the detailed press coverage helped steer boxing towards the Marquess-of-Queensbury rules which are still evident in boxing to this day. The big differences were the use of padded boxing gloves and timed limited rounds.
Sullivan received a lot of world press coverage during and after his reign as heavyweight champ due to his charisma. He was known as "The great John L..." or "The Boston Strong-boy." He was a big man for his era standing five-feet eleven inches and weighed a solid 220 pounds. After his retirement he became a guest speaker and sorts prognosticator. He gave up alcohol and smoking and tried to maintain his life as a good role model for young men and sportsmen.
Comments
OMG - fighters today have no idea how hard it was back then. My grandfather actually boxed 35 rounds (in a single fight) before he realized that steel driving would be better for him. Excellent article. Very informative and worhty of a read.
Very well written and informative article!
:>)
Reminds me of the movie my precious sweetheart turned me onto - it's called Cinderella Man.
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