John L. Sullivan facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

Quick facts for kids John L. Sullivan
Sullivan in his prime - 1882
Statistics
Real name	John Lawrence Sullivan
Nickname(s)	Boston Strong Boy His Fistic Holiness
Rated at	Heavyweight
Height	5 ft 10+1/2 in
Reach	74 in
Born	(1858-10-15)October 15, 1858 Roxbury, Massachusetts, U.S.
Died	February 2, 1918(1918-02-02) (aged 59) Abington, Massachusetts, U.S.
Stance	Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights	51
Wins	47
Wins by KO	38
Losses	1
Draws	2
No contests	1

John Lawrence Sullivan (born October 15, 1858 – died February 2, 1918) was a famous American boxer. People often called him John L. or the "Boston Strong Boy". He is known as the first heavyweight champion in gloved boxing. He held this title from 1882 to 1892.

Sullivan is also seen as the last heavyweight champion of bare-knuckle boxing. This was boxing without gloves. He was a huge star in the late 1800s. Many say he was the first boxing superstar. He was also one of the highest-paid athletes of his time. News about his fights helped create sports journalism in the United States. It also set the way for how boxing events were covered around the world.

Biography
Professional boxing record
Screen portrayals
Images for kids
See also

Biography

Early life and start in sports

John L. Sullivan was born in 1858 in Roxbury, Massachusetts. His parents were immigrants from Ireland. He went to public schools in Boston and did well in his studies.

His parents hoped he would become a Roman Catholic priest. Sullivan even went to Boston College for a short time around 1875. But he soon found a love for baseball. He started playing professionally and earned good money. He later said, "I threw my books aside and gave myself up to it." From baseball, he moved into boxing.

Becoming a boxing star

As a professional boxer, Sullivan was called The Boston Strongboy. He had over 450 fights in his career. He even went on tours. During these tours, he would offer money to anyone who would fight him.

In 1883–84, Sullivan traveled across the country by train. He had 195 fights planned in 136 cities. To get people excited, he said he would box anyone for $250. These fights followed the Marquess of Queensberry Rules. These rules included using gloves. He knocked out eleven men during this tour.

Back then, there were no official boxing titles. Sullivan became a champion after beating Paddy Ryan in Mississippi City on February 7, 1882. Some people called Ryan the "Heavyweight Champion of America." But Sullivan was the first to be seen as a "world champion." This was after his fight with Charley Mitchell in France in 1888. Or it was after he knocked out Jake Kilrain in 1889.

On August 8, 1887, Sullivan received a special championship belt in Boston. It said, "Presented to the Champion of Champions, John L. Sullivan, by the Citizens of the United States." This belt showed how important he was.

Famous fights

One of Sullivan's most famous fights was against Charley Mitchell. Mitchell was from England. Their third fight happened in 1888 in France. It was a tough fight in the rain. It lasted over two hours. Both boxers were very tired and hurt. Neither could continue, so it was called a draw. Bare-knuckle boxing was against the law in France. So, Mitchell was arrested and fined. Sullivan was helped to leave the country and recover in England.

The Sullivan-Kilrain fight

The fight against Jake Kilrain in 1889 was a huge moment in boxing history. It was the very last world title fight under the London Prize Ring Rules. This meant it was the last bare-knuckle heavyweight title fight ever. It was also one of the first sports events in the U.S. to get national news coverage.

Newspapers wrote a lot about the fight before it happened. They reported on the fighters' training. They also guessed where the fight would take place. The fight was held in secret in Richburg, Mississippi. About 3,000 people traveled by special trains to watch. The fight started at 10:30 AM. Sullivan got sick during the 44th round. But he got his energy back and turned the fight around. After 75 rounds, Kilrain's manager stopped the fight. Sullivan won. Today, there is a historical marker at the fight site. A road there is named Sullivan-Kilrain Road.

Later career and retirement

Sullivan as he appeared in 1898, late in his career

After the Kilrain fight, Sullivan did not defend his title for three years. He was friends with another boxer, Ike Weir, who became America's first Featherweight champion.

In 1892, Sullivan agreed to fight "Gentleman Jim" Corbett. The fight was on September 7 in New Orleans. It took place at the Olympic Club, which was lit by electricity. The club was full with 10,000 people. Tickets were expensive. This fight followed the Marquess of Queensberry Rules, using boxing gloves. Corbett was younger and faster. His boxing style helped him avoid Sullivan's attacks. In the 21st round, Corbett hit Sullivan hard, and Sullivan fell. Corbett won and became the new champion. When Sullivan got up, he told the crowd, "If I had to get licked, I'm glad I was licked by an American."

Corbett licks Sullivan.

Sullivan is often called the last bare-knuckle champion. This is because no champion after him fought without gloves. However, Sullivan himself fought with gloves many times. He only fought bare-knuckle three times in his career. His image as a bare-knuckle fighter came from his last few big fights being bare-knuckle.

Sullivan retired to Abington, Massachusetts. He still appeared in some exhibition matches over the next 12 years. He also had many other jobs. He was a stage actor, a speaker, a baseball umpire, a sports reporter, and a bar owner.

Death and lasting impact

John L. Sullivan died at age 59 at his home in Abington, Massachusetts. He passed away from heart disease. At the time of his death, he was caring for an orphan boy named Willie Kelly. Sullivan is buried in the Old Calvary Cemetery in Roslindale, Boston.

In 1990, Sullivan was honored by being inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame. He was part of the very first group of people to enter the Hall of Fame. His boxing record was 47 wins, 1 loss, and 2 draws. He won 38 fights by knockout.

The barn where Sullivan trained is still standing in Belfast, New York. It is now the Bare Knuckle Boxing Hall of Fame.

Sullivan's famous 1892 fight with Corbett was shown in the 1942 movie Gentleman Jim. Actors have also played Sullivan in other films and TV shows.

Professional boxing record

Professional record summary
51 fights	47 wins	1 loss
By knockout	38	1
By decision	8	0
By disqualification	1	0
Draws	2
No contests	1

No.	Result	Record	Opponent	Type	Round, time	Date	Location	Notes
51	Loss	47–1–2 (1)	James J. Corbett	KO	21, 1:30	Sep 7, 1892	Olympic Club, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.	Lost world heavyweight title; Marquess of Queensberry Rules
50	Win	47–0–2 (1)	Jake Kilrain	KO	75	Jul 8, 1889	Richburg, Mississippi, U.S.	Won world bare-knuckle heavyweight title; London Prize Ring Rules
49	Draw	46–0–2 (1)	Charlie Mitchell	PTS	39	Mar 10, 1888	Chantilly, Oise, France	For world bare-knuckle heavyweight title; London Prize Ring Rules
48	Win	46–0–1 (1)	William Samuells	TKO	3 (3)	Jan 5, 1888	Philharmonic Hall, Cardiff, Wales
47	Draw	45–0–1 (1)	Patsy Cardiff	PTS	6	Jan 18, 1887	Washington Roller Rink, Minneapolis, Minnesota U.S.
46	Win	45–0 (1)	Paddy Ryan	KO	3	Nov 13, 1886	Mechanic's Pavilion San Francisco, California, U.S.
45	Win	44–0 (1)	Frank Herald	TD	2	Sep 18, 1886	Coliseum Rink, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.
44	Win	43–0 (1)	Dominick McCaffrey	PTS	7 (6)	Aug 29, 1885	Chester Driving Park, Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.	Won inaugural world heavyweight title; Marquess of Queensberry Rules
43	Win	42–0 (1)	Jack Burke	PTS	5	Jun 13, 1885	Driving Park, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
42	NC	41–0 (1)	Paddy Ryan	NC	1 (4)	Jan 19, 1885	Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
41	Win	41–0	Alf Greenfield	PTS	4	Jan 12, 1885	Institute Hall, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
40	Win	40–0	Alf Greenfield	TD	2	Nov 18, 1884	Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
39	Win	39–0	John Laflin	KO	4	Nov 10, 1884	New York City, New York, U.S.
38	Win	38–0	Enos Phillips	KO	4	May 2, 1884	Nashville, Tennessee, U.S.
37	Win	37–0	William Fleming	KO	1 (4)	May 1, 1884	Memphis, Tennessee, U.S.
36	Win	36–0	Dan Henry	KO	1 (4)	Apr 29, 1884	Hot Springs, Arkansas, U.S.
35	Win	35–0	Al Marx	KO	1 (4), 0:55	Apr 10, 1884	Grand Opera House, Galveston, Texas, U.S.
34	Win	34–0	George M Robinson	DQ	4	Mar 6, 1884	Mechanic's Pavilion San Francisco, California, U.S.
33	Win	33–0	Boiquet	KO	1	Feb 1884	Victoria, British Columbia, U.S.
32	Win	32–0	James Lang	KO	1 (4)	Feb 6, 1884	Seattle, Washington, U.S.
31	Win	31–0	Sylvester Le Gouriff	KO	1 (4)	Feb 1, 1884	Astoria, Oregon, U.S.
30	Win	30–0	Fred Robinson	KO	2	Jan 12, 1884	Butte, Montana, U.S.
29	Win	29–0	Jeff Tomkins	KO	1	Jan 1884	Butte, Montana, U.S.
28	Win	28–0	Mike Sheehan	TKO	1	Dec 4, 1883	Davenport, Iowa, U.S.
27	Win	27–0	Morris Hefey	KO	1	Nov 26, 1883	Saint Paul, Minnesota, U.S.
26	Win	26–0	Jim Miles	TKO	1	Nov 3, 1883	East St. Louis, Illinois, U.S.
25	Win	25–0	James McCoy	TKO	1	Oct 17, 1883	McKeesport, Pennsylvania, U.S.
24	Win	24–0	Herbert Slade	TKO	3 (4)	Aug 6, 1883	Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
23	Win	23–0	Charlie Mitchell	TKO	3	May 14, 1883	Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
22	Win	22–0	Harry Gilman	KO	3	Jan 25, 1883	Toronto, Ontario, Canada
21	Win	21–0	P J Rentzler	TKO	1 (4)	Nov 17, 1882	Theatre Comique, Tacoma, Washington, U.S.
20	Win	20–0	Charley O'Donnell	KO	1	Oct 30, 1882	Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
19	Win	19–0	S P Stockton	KO	2	Oct 16, 1882	Fort Wayne, Indiana, U.S.
18	Win	18–0	Henry Higgins	TKO	3 (4)	Sep 23, 1882	St. James Athletic Club, Buffalo, New York, U.S.
17	Win	17–0	Joe Collins	PTS	4	Jul 17, 1882	Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
16	Win	16–0	Jimmy Elliott	KO	3	Jul 4, 1882	Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
15	Win	15–0	John McDermont	TKO	3	Apr 20, 1882	Grand Opera House, Rochester, New Hampshire, U.S.
14	Win	14–0	Paddy Ryan	RTD	9	Feb 7, 1882	Mississippi City, Mississippi, U.S.	Won American bare-knuckle heavyweight title; London Prize Ring Rules
13	Win	13–0	Jack Burns	KO	1 (4)	Sep 3, 1881	Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
12	Win	12–0	Captain James Dalton	KO	4 (4)	Aug 13, 1881	Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
11	Win	12–0	Dan McCarty	KO	1	Jul 21, 1881	Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
10	Win	10–0	Fred Crossley	KO	1 (4)	Jul 11, 1881	Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
9	Win	9–0	John Flood	KO	8	May 16, 1881	Yonkers, New York, U.S.
8	Win	8–0	Steve Taylor	TKO	2 (4)	Mar 31, 1881	Harry Hill's, New York City, New York, U.S.
7	Win	7–0	Professor John Donaldson	RTD	10	Dec 24, 1880	Pacific Garden, Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
6	Win	6–0	George Rooke	KO	3	Jun 28, 1879	Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
5	Win	5–0	John A. Hogan	PTS	4	1879	Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
4	Win	4–0	Tommy Chandler	PTS	4	1879	Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
3	Win	3–0	Dan Dwyer	TKO	3	1879	Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
2	Win	2–0	Johnny Cocky Woods	KO	5	Mar 14, 1879	Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
1	Win	1–0	Jack Curley	KO	?	Mar 13, 1879	Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.

Screen portrayals

George Walsh played John L. Sullivan in the 1933 film The Bowery.
Ward Bond played John L. Sullivan in the 1942 film Gentleman Jim.
Greg McClure played John L. Sullivan in the 1945 film The Great John L..
Roy Jenson played John L. Sullivan in the 1958 TV episode The Gambler and the Lady from the series Death Valley Days.