John L. Sullivan History, Fights, and Background

Below is the boxing career history of John L. Sullivan and other background information.

John L. Sullivan History and Fights

John L. Sullivan was a boxing pioneer - a boxing legend. He is credited as being the first heavyweight-boxing champion of the world and is still ranked highly in that division. As heavyweight boxing champion he reigned from 1882 to 1892. Sullivan was the link between old style bare knuckle fighting and modern glove fighting under the Queensberry rules.

He was the first great American sports celebrity and in his long and controversial career he met and sparred for Princes, Presidents and paupers. Sullivan's prowess in the ring and his swashbuckling personality won him many friends and made him the idol of American sports fans.

In 1879, Sullivan challenged anyone in America to fight him for $500. In 1883-1884 he toured with a circus, offering $500 to anyone who could last one round with him. It has been claimed he knocked out about 30 men during the tour.

America's first genuine championship fight took place May 30, 1880, at Collier Station, West Virginia, near the Pennsylvania and Ohio borders. Joe Goss, widely considered the English champion, faced challenger Paddy Ryan, a native of Ireland. They fought for nearly an hour and a half before Ryan knocked out Goss in the 87th round.

Ryan was challenged almost almost immediately by John L. Sullivan of Boston, but he managed to avoid Sullivan until February 7, 1882.

Their fight was originally scheduled for New Orleans, but was moved at the last minute to Mississippi City, Mississippi, because Louisiana authorities threatened action.

Sullivan won on a 9th-round knockout that took less than 11 minutes. He spent the next five years making money off the championship without putting it at risk, touring the country and fighting exhibitions, for the most part.

His 6-round victory over Dominick McCaffrey in 1885 went almost unnoticed, but it gave Sullivan his second title, as world heavyweight champion under the Marquis of Queensberry rules.

Meanwhile, Jake Kilrain was being pushed as a contender by Richard Kyle Fox, publisher of the National Police Gazette. Early in 1887, Fox, who was a big trophy giver declared that Kilrain was the real champion and presented him with a diamond-studded championship belt. Sullivan's supporters immediately raised the money to buy an even more impressive belt for their champion.

Sullivan's first real title defense took place in Chantilly, France, on March 10, 1888. The challenger was England's Charley Mitchell, who weighed only about 160 pounds to Sullivan's 210. But the champion barely escaped with a draw, raising doubts about his ability and his physical condition.

For quite some time a fight had been brewing between Jake Kilrain and Sullivan, but due to Sullivan's lack of training, and drinking habits, the fight was repeatedly postponed by the Sullivan camp. It was because of this that Kilrain was crowned Champion in 1889.

This brought rage from the people of Boston, and money started pouring in, which in turn switched the fight back into the public eye. This succeeded in fixing a fight date. In 1889, Sullivan finally accepted Kilrain's challenge for the last professional bare-knuckle championship boxing match in America.

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.

On July 7th, an estimated 3,000 spectators boarded special trains for the secret location, which turned out to be Richburg, Mississippi. On the 8th of July 1889 at Richburg, Mississippi, the final professional bare knuckle fight in the USA took place. The fight began at 10:30 the morning of the 8th, and it looked as if Sullivan was going to lose, especially after he threw up during the 44th round, but the champion got his second wind after that.

Sullivan had been attended in his corner by his trainer Muldoon, who had supplied Sullivan with tea laced with whisky, and when asked how long he could keep up the pace Sullivan told him "until tomorrow if necessary".

After two hours and sixteen minutes, Kilrain's manager and corner finally threw in the towel after the 75th round of a scheduled 80 round bout. John Lawrence Sullivan was re-crowned as the World Heavyweight Champion.

Sullivan's victory made him a true national hero.

That fight on the 8th of July 1889 is considered to be a turning point in boxing history because it was the last world title bout fought under the London Rules and also, the last bare-knuckle heavyweight title bout.

Again, John L Sullivan focused on making as much money as possible outside of the ring. He spent all of 1890 touring in a stage production, acting in Honest Hearts and Willing Hands, then went to Australia to fight a series of exhibitions.

When he returned to America late in 1891, he offered to fight any challenger under the Marquis of Queensberry rules for a purse of $25,000 and side bets of $10,000. James J. "Gentleman Jim" Corbett accepted the offer. This was the first title fight using boxing gloves.

The main event between Sullivan and Corbett took place on September 7, 1892. The match was hardly competitive. In the 21st round - the fight was over and new a era had begun.

After Sullivan gathered himself, he stood on the ring apron and announced to the crowd:

"Gentlemen, gentlemen, I have nothing at all to say. All I have to say is that I came into the ring once too often -- and if I had to get licked I'm glad I was licked by an American. I remain your warm and personal friend, John L. Sullivan."

John L. Sullivan, 190 known fights, was inducted into the International Boxing Hall Of Fame in 1990, as a member of the hall's original class. He had a championship record of 50 wins, 1 loss and 4 draws, with 35 wins by knockout.

He was the first Irish American Boxing Champion, and ‘The Hand That Shook The World’, the World's First Heavyweight Champion, the last bare-knuckle champion, and the first one to use gloves.

John Lawrence Sullivan
The Boston Strong Boy

BORN: October 15 1858; Roxbury, Boston, MA
DIED: February 2 1918; Abington, MA

HEIGHT: 5-10 1/4 (Some report 5-10 1/2) WEIGHT: 190-229 lbs
MANAGERS: Billy Madden, Al Smith, Frank Moran, Pat Sheedy, Harry Phillips, Charles E. "Parson" Davies, Ed Holske, Jimmy Wakely, Frank Hall, Arthur T. Lumley (possibly William Muldoon at times)

NON-PROFESSIONAL BOUTS

1877., aged 19, turned professional. 

1877-1878
         --- -- Jack Scannell Boston, Ma KO 1 
         --- -- Ramon Guiteras Boston, Ma D 4

           PROFESSIONAL BOUTS

1879
         --- -- Dan Dwyer Boston, Ma TK 3
         --- -- Tommy Chandler Boston, Ma W 4
         --- -- John A. "Patsy" Hogan Boston, Ma W 4
         (Hogan knocked Sullivan down)
         Mar 14 John "Cocky" Woods Boston, Ma TK 5
         
1880
         Jan 5 John A. "Patsy" Hogan Boston, Ma Sched
         Feb Mike Donovan Boston, Ma EX 4
         Mar Jerry Murphy New York, NY EX 
         Apr 6 Joe Goss Boston, Ma EX 3
         Goss was reigning American Titleholder, Sullivan dominated
         
         Jun 26 Sullivan announces he will fight anyone in America, 
         with or without gloves, for $500
         
         Jun 28 George Rooke Boston, Ma KO 2 
         --- Dan Dwyer EX 
         -Sullivan and Dwyer boxed several exhibitions
         Nov Johnny Kenny New York, NY EX 
         Dec 20 John Donaldson Cincinnati, Oh EX 4
         Dec 24 John Donaldson Cincinnati, Oh (21:00) KO 10
         (hard gloves/London Prize Ring Rules)
         
         Dec 27 -Sullivan and Donaldson arrested for
         prizefighting; They were released two days later

1881
         Jan 3 Jack Stewart Boston, Ma TK 2
         -Stewart was the Canadian Champion
         Jan 3 Joe Goss Boston, Ma EX 3
         Jan Jack Stewart Boston, Ma EX 
         Mar 21 Mike Donovan Boston, Ma EX 3
         Mar 31 Steve Taylor New York, NY W 2
         -Sullivan knocked down Taylor four times
         May 16 John Flood Yonkers, NY (16:00) W 8
         -London Rules and gloves were used for this bout;
         This bout was held on a barge
         Jun 13 John Flood New York, NY EX 3
         Jul 11 Fred Crossley Philadelphia, Pa KO 1
         -Crossley weighed 300 lbs
         Jul 11 Billy Madden Philadelphia, Pa EX 
         Jul 21 Dan McCarty Philadelphia, Pa (0:30) KO 1
         Aug 12 "Captain" James Dalton Chicago, Il KO 4
         -Sullivan broke his hand
         Sep 3 "Captain" James Dalton Chicago, Il W 4
         Sep 3 Jack Burns Chicago, Il KO 1
         -Burns was 6-6 1/2, 300 lbs
         Sep George Godfrey Boston, Ma 
         -Both men were stripped for a fight to the finish;
         Sullivan then said he would not fight Godfrey
         Sep -Sullivan got into a street fight with a local bully
         at Mount Clemens, Mi and knocked the man out
         Oct Bob Farrell EX 
         Oct Steve Taylor New York, NY EX 3 
         Nov 5 Billy Madden New York, NY EX 
         Nov Pete McCoy Buffalo, NY EX 
         Nov 29 Billy Madden Cincinnati, Oh EX 
         Nov 29 Pete McCoy Cincinnati, Oh EX 
         
1882
         Feb 7 Paddy Ryan Mississippi City, Ms W 9 (10:30) 
         -Heavyweight Championship of America;
         London Prize Ring Rules 
         Mar 27 Jack Douglas New York, NY EX 3
         Mar 27 Billy Madden New York, NY EX 3
         Mar 28 Steve Taylor Jersey City, NJ EX 3
         Apr 20 John McDermott Rochester, NY TK 3
         Jul 4 Jimmy Elliott Brooklyn, NY (7:00) KO 3
         -Gloves were used for this bout; Weights: 195 - 185
         Jul 17 Joe "Tug" Wilson New York, NY W 4
         -Wilson went to the floor 24 times during the bout
         to avoid being knocked out
         Aug 19 Joe Goss North Adams, Ma EX 
         --- Joe ""Tug" Wilson 
         -This bout was scheduled but not held; 
         Authorities prevented it
         Sep 23 Henry Higgins Buffalo, NY TK 3
         Oct 16 S.P. Stockton Fort Wayne, In KO 2
         Oct 30 Charley O'Donnell Chicago, Il KO 1
         Nov 16 an unnamed opponent Buffalo, NY SCH
         Nov 17 P.J. Rentzler Washington, DC TK 2
         -Police intervened
         Nov 19 an unnamed opponent Pittsburgh, Pa SCH
         Nov an unnamed opponent Cincinnati, Oh SCH
         Dec 28 Joe Coburn New York, NY EX 3
         
1883
         Jan 25 Harry Gilman Toronto, Ont, Can KO 3
         Jan 29 Joe Coburn Troy, NY EX 3
         Feb 22 Pete McCoy Boston, Ma EX 3
         Mar 19 Steve Taylor Boston, Ma EX 3
         Mar 19 Joe Coburn Boston, Ma EX 3
         Mar 19 Mike Cleary Boston, Ma EX 3
         
         May 14 Charley Mitchell New York, NY TK 3
         -Mitchell knocked Sullivan down in the first round;
         The bout was stopped by Police Captain "Clubber" Williams
         May 15 Charley Mitchell Long Island, NY 
         -This bout was proposed by Joe Coburn as a 
         bare-knuckle fight to the finish; Mitchell
         accepted but Sullivan did not; The bout 
         fell through
         May 28 -Sullivan pitched for a semi-professional baseball team
         at the New York, NY Polo Grounds
         Aug 6 Herbert A. Slade New York, NY TK 3
         -Gloves were used; Weights: 205 - 201
         Sep -Sullivan fought some 50 minor opponents across America
         and reportedly knocked out all of them; This tour took 
         place during Aug-Oct 1883
         Oct 17 James McCoy McKeesport, Pa TK 1
         Nov 3 Jim Miles East St. Louis, Il TK 1
         Nov 25 Morris Hefey St. Paul, Mn KO 1
         Dec 4 Mike Sheehan Davenport, Ia TK 1
         
1883-1884
         -Sullivan continued his tour during late 1883 and early 1884; 
         He reportedly knocked out 29 men 
         
1884
         --- Jeff Tomkins Butte, Mt KO 1
         --- Boiquet Victoria, BC, Can KO 1
         Jan 14 Fred Robinson Butte City, Mt TK 2
         Feb 1 Sylvester Le Gouriff Astoria, Or KO 1
         Feb 6 James Lang Seattle, Wa KO 1
         Mar 6 George M. Robinson San Francisco, Ca W 4
         -Robinson went down 28 times to avoid being knocked out
         --- Jack Traynor Dallas, Tx KO 
         -This was a "barroom" fight
         Apr 10 Al Marx Galveston, Tx (1:55) KO 1
         Apr 12 Pete McCoy New Orleans, La EX 2
         Apr 28 William Fleming Memphis, Tn KO 1
         Apr 29 Dan Henry Hot Springs, Ar KO 1
         May 2 Enos Phillips Nashville, Tn W 4
         May 30 Charley Mitchell New York, NY 
         -This bout was scheduled but cancelled;
         Sullivan was drunk and unable to fight
         Aug 13 Dominick McCaffrey Boston, Ma EX 3
         Aug 13 Steve Taylor Boston, Ma EX 3
         Aug 13 Tom Denny Boston, Ma EX 3
         -The previous 3 bouts were held the same date 
         as part of Councilman Tom Denny's Exhibition 
         Oct 18 an unnamed opponent McKeesport, Pa EX
         -Sullivan knocked out his opponent
         Oct 19 an unnamed opponent Alleghany, Pa EX
         Oct 20 an unnamed opponent Alleghany, Pa EX
         Oct 20 an unnamed opponent Alleghany, Pa EX
         -The previous 2 bouts were held the same date
         Oct an unnamed opponent Wheeling, WV SCH
         Oct an unnamed opponent Steubenville, Oh SCH
         Oct an unnamed opponent Newark, NJ SCH
         Oct an unnamed opponent Columbus, Oh SCH
         Oct an unnamed opponent Dayton, Oh SCH
         -The previous 5 bouts were scheduled exhibitions;
         The outcomes are not known
         Oct 28 an unnamed opponent Cincinnati, Oh EX
         Oct 29 an unnamed opponent Louisville, Ky SCH
         Oct 30 an unnamed opponent Indianapolis, In SCH
         Oct 31 an unnamed opponent Terre Haute, In SCH
         -The previous 3 bouts were scheduled exhibitions;
         The outcomes are not known
         Nov 10 John M. Laflin New York, NY (7:00) W 4
         -Weights: 196 - 205 
         Nov 17 Alf Greenfield New York, NY (6:15) W 2
         -Police intervened; Weights: 198 1/2 - 160
         
1885
         Jan 12 Alf Greenfield Boston, Ma (12:00) W 4
         -Gloves were used for this bout
         Jan 19 Paddy Ryan New York, NY (0:50) TK 1
         -Police intervened
         Apr 2 Dominick McCaffrey Philadelphia, Pa 
         -Police prevented the bout
         Jun 13 Jack Burke Chicago, Il (15:00) W 5
         -Queensberry Rules were used for this bout
         Aug 29 Dominick McCaffrey Cincinnati, Oh (22:00) W 6
         -Heavyweight Championship of America;
         Queensberry Rules and gloves were used for this bout;
         Seven rounds fought/Referee gave decision days after fight
         
1886
         --- Billy Madden New York, NY EX 
         -Sullivan and Madden gave exhibitions for one week
         Sep 18 Frank Herald Alleghany City, Pa W 2
         -Queensberry Rules and gloves were used for this bout;
         Police intervened; Weights: 225 - 185
         Oct 31 Steve Taylor St. Paul, Mn EX 
         Nov 13 Paddy Ryan San Francisco, Ca KO 3
         -Gloves were used for this bout
         Dec Steve Taylor Tacoma, Wa EX 3
         Dec 28 Duncan McDonald Denver, Co D 4
         
1887
         Jan Steve Taylor EX 
         Jan 18 Patsy Cardiff Minneapolis, Mn D 6
         -Sullivan broke a bone in his right arm;
         Weights: 229 - 185
         Mar 28 Steve Taylor Hoboken, NJ EX 4
         Mar 28 Joe Lannon Hoboken, NJ EX 4
         Nov 28 Jack Ashton London, Eng EX 3
         Dec 9 Jack Ashton London, Eng EX 3
         Dec 12 Jack Ashton Dublin, Ireland Exh 4 
         Dec 13 Jack Ashton Waterford, Ireland Exh 
         Dec 14 Frank Creedon Cork, Ireland Sch-x 
         Dec 14 Jack Ashton Cork, Ireland Exh 
         Dec 15 Jack Ashton Limerick, Ireland Exh 4 
         Dec 16 Jack Ashton Dublin, Ireland Exh 4 
         Dec 17 Jack Ashton Belfast, Ireland Exh 
         
1888
         Jan -Sullivan gave boxing exhibitions in Portsmouth, Eng 
         --- George Fryer Nottingham, Eng EX 
         Mar 10 Charley Mitchell Chantilly, Fr (3:10:55) D 39
         -Some sources report this as a Heavyweight
         Championship of the World contest; London
         Rules and bare-knuckles were used for this
         bout; Sullivan scored the first knockdown;
         Mitchell drew first blood in the eighth 
         round; Weights: 166 - 200
         May 15 an unnamed opponent Boston, Ma EX 
         Jun 4 an unnamed opponent New York, NY EX 
         
1889
         May 6 Jack Ashton Tarrytown, NY EX 
         Apr 24 Jack Ashton Brooklyn, NY EX 3
         May 28 Billy Madden Cincinnati, Oh EX 
         May Mike Cleary Gloucester, NJ EX 3
         Jul 8 Jake Kilrain Richburg, Ms (2:16:23) KO 75
         -Heavyweight Championship of the America;
         London Rules and bare-knuckles were used
         Aug 2 Bill Muldoon New York, NY SCH 
         -This contest was to be a wrestling match
         Aug 2 Mike Cleary New York, NY SCH 
         -The previous 2 bouts were scheduled as part of a Benefit
         for John L. Sullivan; The outcomes are not known
         Sep 9 Mike Cleary New York, NY EX 3
         
1890
         Feb 7 Joe Lannon Newark, NJ EX 3
         Feb 12 Joe Lannon Hoboken, NJ EX 3
         Dec 16 Joe Lannon New York, NY EX 3
         Dec 16 Joe Lannon New York, NY EX 3
         -The previous 2 bouts were held the same date
         
1891
         Jun 26 Jim Corbett San Francisco, Ca EX 4
         Jul -Sullivan toured Hawaii and Australia but did not 
         have any official bouts; He possibly had some 
         exhibitions with Jack Ashton
         Nov 26 Paddy Ryan San Francisco, Ca EX 
         Dec 20 Joe Choynski San Francisco, Ca EX 3
         
1892
         May 29 Jack Ashton New York, NY EX 3 
         Aug 29 Jack Ashton Brooklyn, NY EX 3
         Aug 29 Leonard Tracy Brooklyn, NY SCH
         -This bout was scheduled; The outcome is not known;
         The previous 2 bouts were scheduled the same date
         Aug 29 Joe Lannon Brooklyn, NY SCH
         -This bout was later scheduled for this date;
         
         It probably replaced the Sullivan-Tracy bout;
         The outcome is not known
         Sep 7 Jim Corbett New Orleans, La (1:30) LK 21
         -Heavyweight Championship of the World;
         Five-ounce gloves were used for this bout;
         Some sources report a time of 1:45 of round 21; 
         Weights: 212 - 178
         Sep 10 Jack Ashton New York, NY SCH
         Sep 10 Joe Lannon New York, NY SCH
         -The previous 2 bouts were scheduled the same date;
         The outcomes are not known
         Sep 17 Jack Ashton New York, NY SCH
         Sep 17 Leonard Tracy New York, NY SCH
         -The previous 2 bouts were scheduled the same date;
         The outcomes are not known but they were probably
         cancelled since Sullivan boxed Corbett on this date
         Sep 17 Jim Corbett New York, NY EX 3 
         
1894
         May 21 Paddy Ryan Boston, Ma EX 3
         Jun 26 Paddy Ryan Boston, Ma EX 3 
         
1895
         Jun 8 "Nonpareil" Jack Dempsey New York, NY EX 
         Jun 27 Jim Corbett New York, NY EX 3
         Jul 23 Paddy Ryan Bangor, Me EX 3
         Jul 25 Paddy Ryan Bar Harbor, Me EX 
         Oct 3 Paddy Ryan Philadelphia, Pa SCH 
         -This bout was scheduled; The outcome is not known
         Oct 5 Paddy Ryan Cleveland, Oh 
         -This bout was scheduled but cancelled;
         Mayor McKisson, of Cleveland, refused
         to allow the bout
         Oct 14 Paddy Ryan Jersey City, NJ EX 3
         Nov 18 Paddy Ryan Buffalo, NY EX 3
         
1896
         Aug 31 Tom Sharkey New York, NY EX 3
         -One minute rounds were boxed
         
1897
         Feb 17 Paddy Ryan Philadelphia, Pa EX 3
         
1898
         Jul 5 Bob Fitzsimmons Brooklyn, NY Sched-x
         -This bout was scheduled but not held;
         The men were present and ready to spar;
         Police intervened and prevented it
         
1900
         Aug 29 Jeff Thorne New York, NY EX 3
         Sep Jim Jeffries New York, NY EX 3
         
1905
         Mar 1 Jim McCormick Grand Rapids, Mi EX KO 2

Portions of this information from The Cyber Boxing Zone

The Marquis of Queensberry Rules

John Graham Chambers, a member of the Amateur Athletic Club (AAC), wrote these rules in 1865, but they weren't published until 1867, with the patronage of John Sholto Douglas, the eighth Marquis of Queensberry.

Chambers intended the rules for amateur boxing matches, such as those conducted by the AAC. They weren't used until 1872, at a London tournament that was truly amateur: no prizes were awarded, and no betting was allowed.

Prize fighting - that is, professional boxing for prize money - was generally forbidden in England, but the authorities allowed bouts under the new rules. As a result, they gradually began to replace the old London Prize Ring Rules, even in professional matches.

1. To be a fair stand-up boxing match, in a twenty-four foot ring, or as near that size as practicable.

2. No wrestling or hugging allowed.

3. The rounds to be of three minutes' duration, and one minute's time between rounds.

4. If either man fall through weakness or otherwise, he must get up unassisted, ten seconds to be allowed him to do so, the other man meanwhile to return to his corner, and when the fallen man is on his legs the round is to be resumed, and continued until the three minutes have expired. If one man fails to come to scratch in the ten seconds allowed, it shall be in the power of the referee to give his award in favor of the other man.

5. A man hanging on the ropes in a helpless state, with his toes off the ground, shall be considered down.

6. No seconds or any other person to be allowed in the ring during the rounds.

7. Should the contest be stopped by any unavoidable interference, the referee to name the time and place as soon as possible for finishing the contest; so that the match must be won and lost, unless the backers of both men agree to draw the stakes.

8. The gloves to be fair-sized boxing gloves of the best quality, and new.

9. Should a glove burst, or come off, it must be replaced to the referee's satisfaction.

10. A man on one knee is considered down, and if struck is entitled to the stakes.

11. No shoes or boots with springs allowed.

12. The contest in all other respects to be governed by the revised rules of the London Prize Ring.