John L. Sullivan Name: John L. Sullivan

Alias: The Boston Strong Boy Birth Name: John Lawrence Sullivan

Born: 1858-10-15 Birthplace: Roxbury, Massachusetts, USA

Died: 1918-02-02 (Age:59) Nationality: US American

Hometown: Roxbury, Massachusetts, USA Stance: Orthodox

Height: 5′ 10½″ / 179cm Reach: 74″ / 188cm Boxing Record: click

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, and Arthur T. Lumley (possibly

William Muldoon at times)

NON-PROFESSIONAL BOUTS

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

Gos was reigning American Titleholder, Sullivan dominated

Jun 26 Sulivan 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 decison 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

John L. Sullivan

The first Irish American Boxing Champion,

and ‘The hand that shook the world’.

Introduction John L. Sullivan was a boxing legend. He is credited as being the first heavyweight-boxing

champion of the world and is still ranked highly in that division. 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. In late 1887, Sullivan, still the reigning heavyweight

champion of the world, toured Ireland, the country of his parents’ birth. On 15 December 1887

he visited Limerick.

Family Background John Lawrence Sullivan was born in mid-October 1858 in the Roxbury district of Boston,

Massachusetts. Sullivan inherited his combativeness (and his fondness for alcohol) from his

father, Mike Sullivan, a builder’s labourer from Laccabeg, Abbeydorney in Co. Kerry, who

arrived in America in 1850. Sullivan’s physique came from his formidable mother, Athlone born

Catherine Kelly, another Irish emigrant of the immediate post-Famine era. By all accounts,

Sullivan’s childhood was as stable as it could be in the heaving mass of uncertainty and poverty

that was the Boston Irish community at that point in the nineteenth century.

Mike Sullivan fulfilled the stereotypical Boston Irishman of the day: he worked with his hands,

for he had little other skill; he was quick in temper and slow in temperance. His son, John L., at

first attempted to learn a trade and for increasingly volatile periods was an apprentice plumber,

tinsmith and stonemason. However, as some journeymen colleagues of Sullivan painfully found

out, John L.’s personal attributes and ego were in fact perfect for prize fighting.

The Boston Strong Boy For such a celebrated career - one that to this day marks the beginning of the modern

heavyweight division - Sullivan’s first punch up was little more than a barroom brawl. In 1878

Sullivan and a few friends attended a benefit night at Dudley Street Opera House in Boston. At

some stage during the night a local tough by the name of Jack Scannell challenged Sullivan -

who by now had a reputation as the “Boston Strong Boy”. Massachusetts state law prohibited

prize fighting but permitted “exhibitions” of physical skill. Duly the organisers of the benefit

night accommodated the combatants. Sullivan took off his coat; laced up a pair of woolly mitts;

received a knock on the head from Scannell; lost his temper and proceeded to belt Scannell into

the on-stage piano. A star was born.

By 1881, and still without any formal coaching - appropriately he apprenticed on the job -

Sullivan had graduated to performing on the then biggest boxing stage of all: Harry Hill’s Dance

Hall and Boxing Emporium on New York’s East Side. In March 1881, Sullivan announced

himself at Harry Hill’s by offering fifty dollars to any man who could last four rounds with him

under the Queensberry rules. A veteran fighter named Steve Taylor attempted to do so but was

pummelled in two rounds. During this stay in New York, Sullivan met Richard Kyle Fox, the

Belfast born proprietor of the Police Gazette, and then the biggest boxing promoter in the United

States. Fox and Sullivan were never to become friendly but both were cunning enough to ensure

that their enmity remained well publicised to their commercial advantage.

Sullivan as Champion Sullivan soon maneuvered himself into a bare-knuckle title fight with the Thurles born

titleholder, Paddy Ryan. Ryan was yet another Irish-American champion from the town of Troy,

New York, where the celebrated Templemore born boxer John Morrissey had also grown up.

However, Ryan was a mediocre and reluctant champion. The heavily gambled upon and much

anticipated Sullivan v Ryan fight took place on 7 February 1882 in Mississippi City. The fight

was somewhat disappointing and lasted roughly ten minutes with Sullivan easily defeating Ryan

in nine rounds, as governed by the London Prize Ring Rules. In fact, the most interesting thing

about the fight was the audience, in which the James brothers, Frank and Jesse, were spotted.

For the next decade or so Sullivan, despite chronic alcoholism, easily held on to his title,

defending it nearly thirty times. These fights were predominately arranged around Sullivan’s

great tours of the United States in 1883-4 and 1886-7, whereupon at each stop John L. made his

standard offer of one thousand dollars to any man who could last four rounds. He rarely had to

pay out for he could “lick any man alive”. Interestingly, and unlike the original title fight against

Ryan, all of these bouts were fought with gloves and took place under the Queensberry rules.

There is no great mystery as to why Sullivan preferred gloves: they were safer, they prolonged

his career; thus enabling him to make more money. Indeed, Sullivan was a commercial

phenomenon; using one commentator’s figures, it is estimated that Sullivan cleared between

eighty to one hundred thousand dollars during the 1883-4 tour of the United States. Later,

Sullivan’s commercialization of the ring would open unprecedented opportunities for other

boxers, though Sullivan drank most of his own earnings.

The Champion Abroad On 27 October 1887, Sullivan, at the height of his fame, and with a mistress in tow, sailed from

Boston aboard the steamer Cephalonia. By 6 November, and after a brief stop at Queenstown,

the ship had docked at Liverpool. After a month or so of being feted at the various sporting clubs

of London, notably the Pelican Club, Sullivan was formally invited to a breakfast in the mess

room of the Scots Guards at St. James Barracks. Sullivan’s autobiography suggests that Sullivan

was taken more with the spread of food and meats on offer at the breakfast than the regiment’s

dubious and long history of combat in Ireland. Later in the same day, 9 December 1887, Sullivan

met the Prince of Wales, the future King Edward VII, at the nearby Fencing Club. The meeting

went well and the Prince of Wales - maintaining a long history of royal benevolence towards

what was an illegal sport - presented Sullivan with a matching set of emeralds. Sullivan, who

sparred briefly for the Prince, thanked the future king and reminded him that if he ever came to

Boston, to be sure and look him up and, “I’ll give you such a show round as you never had in

your life before,” he quipped.

The following day Sullivan left for Dublin. Though much can be overplayed in this, the

symbolism of Sullivan’s visit - occurring as it did a mere year after the defeat of the first Home

Rule Bill and in the middle of the “Plan of Campaign” - was important. For Catholic Ireland here

was a physically indestructible symbol of one of their own made good. Here was a world

champion, here was a wealthy man, who in becoming so had literally defeated every Englishman

who had crossed his path. Moreover, in some sectors of English society at least, Sullivan even

commanded, of all things, respect.

Sullivan in Ireland Sullivan seemed genuinely moved by the reception he received in the land of his forefathers. His

visit had been much anticipated by sports fans in Ireland. On Saturday, 10 December 1887, The

Irish Times carried an advertisement for “a splendidly executed Lithographic picture of this

World-Renowned Boxer, a genuine work of art, and the best likeness of the redoubtable

Yankee”. The same advertisement appeared in The Freeman’s Journal of the same day and it also

noted the draw for the amateur contests to be decided on the following Monday and Friday in the

Leinster Hall (now part of the RDS Simmons court complex), which Sullivan would attended.

The following evening, Sunday, 11 December 1887, Sullivan arrived in Ireland. Sullivan and his

party had left London by midnight on the Saturday, and after a brief stop at Crewe, they reached

Holyhead where they embarked on the mail steamer The Connaught. Later that evening, they

docked at the Carlisle Pier in Kingstown. A large crowd had assembled to meet Sullivan and by

the time Sullivan’s party had reached Westland Row station, they were to find themselves “in a

complete state of siege”, such was the multitude that had gathered. In response to several calls,

Sullivan gave a brief speech from the drawing room window at the Grosvenor, in which he

thanked most cordially the people of Dublin for their warm and enthusiastic welcome. To much

cheering he reminded the crowd that he was one of their own; that he was delighted to be in the

land of his parents’ birth and even though he would not, during his all too brief stay, show them

anything “wonderful”, he would he promised, at least show them what he was capable of doing.

He concluded, as he often did in front of his adoring Boston followers, by reminding the people

of Dublin that he would always remain, through good and bad, their faithful friend. A satisfied

crowd dispersed and Sullivan retired for dinner, and most probably a well-earned drink or two.

The following evening, Sullivan was the guest of honour at a boxing promotion in the Leinster

Hall. Yet again, Fred Gallagher, the editor of Sport, a well-known newspaper of the day,

introduced Sullivan to the thronged masses, in which The Freeman’s Journal noted, all classes

and conditions of people were represented. There were barristers and doctors in dozens, while

the military were represented by no less a personage than the Commander of the Forces in

Ireland, the Prince of Saxe-Weimar, who visited the hero of the night in his dressing room just

before he made his appearance in the ring in all his war paint. Sullivan, to the strains of “See the

Conquering Hero come” and “Yankee Doodle”, gave a brief speech thanking the audience for

turning up in such great numbers. Then John L., ever in tune with his true supporters, gained a

very pronounced and prolonged burst of applause when he announced his sympathy with the

Irish struggle. This part of the speech was not mentioned in The Irish Times’ report nor was the

reaction of the Prince of Saxe-Weimar recorded.

The speech making completed, Sullivan refereed a few amateur contests before stripping to the

waist for a four round spar with his usual (and literal) sidekick, Jack Ashton. The Freeman’s

Journal, though noting that Ashton was very much overweight, was still very taken with the

muscular appearance and skill level of the redoubtable Yankee.

The following day, Tuesday, 13 December 1887, Sullivan left for Waterford on the nine o’clock

train from Knightsbridge. According to reports he was greeted warmly at all the intermediate

stops but most particularly at Maryborough and Kilkenny. It is during this part of the trip that

Sullivan visited “Donnelly’s Hollow” a natural amphitheatre at the Athgarvan end of the

Curragh, where in 1815 Ireland’s Dan Donnelly famously fought and defeated England’s George

Cooper. Donnelly’s footprints on leaving the hollow have been preserved by being retrodden by

countless visitors since, and Sullivan was delighted to add his imprint. In Waterford, hundreds

gathered along the quays to catch a glimpse of Sullivan, as he made his way to the Imperial

Hotel (now the Tower Hotel). Later that evening at the Theatre Royal, Sullivan sparred another

exhibition with Ashton, during which The Freeman’s Journal’s correspondent noted, “whilst the

men were on stage the spectators seemed to be simply spellbound.”

Sullivan, as ever, had time to make a speech. Playing with the emotions of the crowd, Sullivan

reminded them that the reason he had travelled across the Atlantic was to fight the English

champion, Jem Smith, but that he had been “blackguarded” out of that fight and would soon have

to face Charlie Mitchell instead ; not, as Sullivan roared, that it mattered who he fought, though

he confessed to the crowd that he was worried about the challenge he was to face the following

day in Cork in the form of highly rated local amateur, Mr. Frank Creedon.

The pre-publicity work done, Sullivan and his party left for Cork. If Sullivan read his morning

paper, he would have noted that, while he was entertaining Waterford, Kildare-born Jack “The

Nonpareil” Dempsey was successfully defending his middleweight championship of the world in

New York, by knocking out Johnny Reagan. The Irish Diaspora would continue to dominate the

sport of boxing until the 1920s.

Sullivan arrived in Cork on the afternoon of Wednesday, 14 December 1887, and was met by a

now customary large crowd at the Great Southern & Western terminus. The crowd practically

whisked Sullivan and his party to the Victoria Hotel. Later in the afternoon Sullivan visited

Blarney Castle and kissed the Blarney stone, a superfluous act if ever there was one. He also

visited Mahony’s Mills, now Blarney Woollen Mills, where the firm presented him with a full

suit of Irish tweed. That evening Sullivan appeared in an exhibition at the Cork Opera House.

Sullivan was due to fight a local amateur, Frank Creedon, from Clarence Street in Cork, who one

paper had described as, “the only man on this side of the ocean anxious and ready to stand up

before the unbeaten one. Creedon, despite advice from the home crowd who felt it better that he

go home (the uncharacteristically modest Cork crowd thought John L. would “pulverise”

Creedon), put on his woollen fighting mitts.

Creedon, an amateur boxer, was twenty-three years of age; five foot seven in height and weighed

eleven and a half stone. Sullivan, by now reaching his physical peak, usually fought at not less

than fifteen stone. Sullivan took one look at Creedon and declared, “He is not in my class”, and

refused to fight. However, one of Sullivan’s party obliged Creedon and, “after a protracted spar

dusted Creedon considerably. Later, prior to another exhibition with Ashton, Sullivan presented

Creedon with a gold medal and commended him on his bravery.

On the afternoon of Thursday, 15 December 1887, Sullivan arrived in Limerick by rail, via the

Junction. The Freeman’s Journal recorded that Sullivan and his troupe received “a most

enthusiastic welcome”. It is interesting to contrast this reception with that received by the Lord

Lieutenant and Lady Londonderry who earlier in the same week had travelled by rail to Adare

Manor for a few days hunting: “Their Excellencies left Dublin by the one o’clock train, arriving

in Limerick at half-past six pm, whence they travelled to Adare by special train. At Limerick and

elsewhere along the route the general public took no special notice of the party, but bodies of

police were at all the stations along the line. At Limerick, County Inspector Moriarty and District

Inspector Dunne had a force of thirty riflemen on the platform, but there was no demonstration

of any sort, not even a cheer being raised.

The Freeman’s Journal’s report of Sullivan’s brief stay in Limerick is perfunctory. Indeed, The

Freeman’s Journal’s main reference to Limerick during that month was not to Sullivan but to the

prosecution of Father Matthew “The General” Ryan, C.C. of Hospital who was sentenced to one

month’s imprisonment for an pro-plan of campaign speech at Caherconlish on 20 November

1887 (The prosecutor of the case was Edward Carson). The Limerick Chronicle was also very

much taken with the Fr. Ryan case but devoted time to the Sullivan visit and it is clear that the

enthusiasm for the “Slogger” was as evident in Limerick as elsewhere. Indeed, a week prior to

the visit, The Limerick Chronicle previewed Sullivan and citing directly from a recent issue of

Sport it gave a very impressive and accurate summary of Sullivan’s career to that point. The

report concluded, “We are sure that the visit will be a most successful and popular one. And it

was.

On that Thursday evening Sullivan and his troupe appeared at the Theatre Royal. The venue was

full a half an hour prior to the performance and was “crowded to inconvenience in every part”.

Sullivan’s appearance was preceded by four amateur contests between local boxers. Charles

Hipkiss and Frank Murphy fought to a draw; Jack Hickey defeated Jim Kendrick; followed by a

bout between Nune Wallace and Charles Williams; finally Samuel Blakelock fought a Mr. Hook,

the latter, despite his small size “played a plucky part” and got a warm ovation from the crowd.

John L., with the No. 1 National Band playing “See the Conquering Hero comes”, then took the

stage and after a brief speech, he again sparred with Jack Ashton for “four really well contested

rounds”. The Limerick Chronicle’s reporter was very impressed with Sullivan’s fighting style

and particularly with the “swiftness of hands, eyes, and feet”. Then, to tremendous applause

Sullivan exited the stage.

Later that evening Sullivan returned to Dublin and the following day, Friday, 16 December 1887,

he appeared at Leinster Hall for the finals of Monday’s amateur boxing promotion at the same

venue. Sullivan again acted as a referee. Though the crowd was smaller than the previous

Monday, Sullivan and Ashton again gave them good value for money with their usual four-round

bout. Sullivan and his party then retired for dinner at the Sheridan Club on St Stephen’s Green;

but not before Sullivan’s personal manager, Harry Phillips, presented Fred Gallagher, the editor

of Sport, with a gold locket, surmounted with a diamond horseshoe, as an acknowledgement of

the manner in which Gallagher had organised the Irish tour.

Sullivan & Co. could well afford this gift. The Irish part of the tour was particularly lucrative and

later Sullivan claimed that he had made more money in one week in Ireland than he had in six

weeks in England. Sullivan noted that apart from the money, his Irish followers had given him:

one tweed suit; four jugs of whiskey; seventeen blackthorn sticks and forty-five letters asking

him to underwrite charitable organisations.

The next day, Sullivan travelled to Belfast for yet another exhibition. His chief biographer,

Michael Isenberg seems somewhat surprised that Sullivan, a Boston Catholic, received such an

enthusiastic welcome in Belfast ; however the sport of boxing had long been one of the few

sports that genuinely united “across the divide” in working class Belfast, thus the warmth of the

welcome afforded to Sullivan was not that surprising.

Sullivan thereafter From Northern Ireland Sullivan travelled to Scotland where he learned that his fellow Irish-

American Jake Kilrain had, on a marshy island in the middle of the Seine, forced the English

champion, Jem Smith, to a draw over 106 rounds in a fight that lasted nearly three hours. Kilrain,

with logic understood only by the boxing world, now claimed the title. Sullivan was annoyed but

was contracted to defend his world title against Englishman Charlie Mitchell. On 10 March 1888

Sullivan faced Mitchell in a bare-knuckle fight, which took place on the estate grounds of Baron

Alphonse Rothschild near Chantilly, just north of Paris, probably without the knowledge of the

Rothschild family. In a bruising encounter, wherein at one stage Sullivan was heard roar: “Fight

like a gentleman, you son of a bitch, if you can,” Mitchell forced Sullivan to a draw after thirty-

nine frustrating rounds. Sullivan chased by the French police left for the United States

immediately after the fight.

Sullivan’s next title defence occurred at 10.30 am on the morning of 8 July 1889, and it was

against Kilrain. Almost three thousand spectators were present at the fight scene near Richburg,

Mississippi; where they saw an unusually well trained Sullivan enter the ring. Kilrain, the

younger man, was sponsored by Richard Kyle Fox and seemed primed to take Sullivan’s

“undisputed” title. Yet, after two and a quarter hours of bare knuckle pounding, Kilrain’s trainer

refused to allow Kilrian to come up to scratch. Sullivan was victorious or as the New York

Times put it - on page one no less - “The Bigger Brute Won”.

In the aftermath of the fight, the state of Mississippi attempted to indict both Kilrain and Sullivan

for the offences of prize fighting and assault. At trial, Sullivan was convicted though he

successfully appealed. However, Sullivan’s legal victory was a pyrrhic one because it cost - in

the form of legal fees and travel expenses - more than he cleared from beating Kilrain. Sullivan

vowed never again to fight under the old bare-knuckle rules; he remained true to his word and

with that the days of the old bare-knuckle title fight ended.

Indeed, Sullivan remained out of the ring for the next three years. During these years Sullivan

subtlety avoided all challengers except black fighters, whom he expressly evaded and insulted.

Finally, on 6 September 1892 in New Orleans, Sullivan lost his title to James J. “Gentleman Jim”

Corbett. A visibly ageing Sullivan was knocked out in the twenty-first round. Once recovered,

Sullivan gave a gracious speech to the stunned crowd, muttering that he was glad that if he was

to be whipped, that at least he was “licked” by an American. Indeed, Sullivan, like the majority

of his fellow working class Boston Irish, was a simple American patriot all his life.

Conclusion In 1905, Sullivan, on tour, broke and drinking heavily, fought and defeated Jim McCormick in

Grand Rapids, Michigan. It was to be his final fight. Four days later, on 5 March 1905, Sullivan

gave up drinking. Later, in a life that became confined to what are now known as “celebrity

appearances”, Sullivan was reconciled with his wife and they lived peacefully on a small farm

outside Boston. Sullivan, by now a respected friend of President Theodore Roosevelt, returned to

Ireland very briefly in 1910, as part of vaudeville tour of Britain and Ireland. He died on 2

February 1918, probably of heart failure. A massive funeral followed. Fittingly, the frozen earth

had to be blasted to make his grave. In the commotion that followed, the Boston Irish finally

realised that neither they, nor anyone else, would ever again queue “to shake the hand that shook

the world”.

Written by Jack Anderson, who lectures in law at the University of Limerick. He is from Doon

in Co. Limerick.

The following excerpt from American Life Histories, 1936-1940 is from a document placed in

the WPA oral history interviews by writer Jerome Power. Power had been a young

newspaperman in 1911 when he had the good fortune to interview former heavyweight boxing

champion John L. Sullivan. What does Power report about Sullivan's attitude toward drinking?

What do you make of Power's reluctance to report on what clearly was very important to

Sullivan?

View the entire document from which this excerpt was taken. Use your browser's Back Button to

return to this page.

. . . John L. Sullivan, former heavyweight champion of the world, was 53 years old when I

interviewed him, as a young newspaper reporter, in the summer of 1911 while he was stopping at

the Claypool Hotel in Indianapolis, Indiana. He shook my hand on that occasion. Without

meaning in the least to hurt me, he gave my carpals such a sardining that they still ache at the

memory, after all these years. He was that strong, even at 53. . . .

I took a good look at him and saw what seemed like an unusually big Irish policeman, off duty in

plain clothes. That was the first impression. Further inspection, however, showed me more - a

great deal more. To tell the truth, he did not look as big as my knowledge of his ring exploits had

led me to expect. He was tall, but his great shoulders and the paunch which he had developed at

53 prevented this from being apparent at first glance. He weighed, I should judge, well over 200

pounds, but having seen him walk across the room, on the balls of his feet, with all the lightness

and grace of cat, I had trouble in convincing myself that even this was true.

He had a well-shaped head - not the "bullet" type of many pugilists - and dark hair which was

turning gray. He carried this head at a proud angle which gave emphasis to his prominent jaw.

His face was somewhat florid, so that even without knowing who he was, on would have said

"Here is a man who has been a hard drinker." He had a fine mustache in the old tradition.

Starting below his nostrils this mustache, a few shades grayer than his hair, extended in leisurely

fashion over his lip and all the way across his face on both sides. The under edges were a trifle

ragged and the curl at the ends was upward. He had a custom of snorting sometimes, as he was

about to say something, after which he would stroke his mustache, first on one side, then on the

other. I got the idea that this stroking business acted as a sedative on him. . . .

He talked with a perceptible, but not pronounced, brogue. When he became excited, however,

this brogue grow thicker. He made small errors in grammar, which stamped him as a man of

little education, but remembering how brief his education really was, one had to admit that he

talked remarkably well. . . .

"Well, there's nothing to fighting, " he opened up, "Just come out fast from your corner, hit the

other fellow as hard as you can and hit him first. That's all there is to fighting."

He laughed, then at once grew serious.

"What I should like to talk about is something else. Whiskey! There's the only fighter that ever

really licked old John L. Jim Corbett, according to the record, knocked me out in New Orleans in

1892, but he only gave the finishing touches to what whiskey had already done to me. If I had

met Jim Corbett before whiskey got me I'd have killed him. I stopped drinking long ago, but of

course, too late. Too late for old John L., but not too late for millions of boys who are starting

out to follow the same road. I desire to use the years of life which remain to me to warn these

boys, to turn them back. John L. Sullivan, champion of the world, could not lick whiskey. What

gives any one of them the notion that he can."

I didn't wish to hear anything about temperance , but the famous scowl was in evidence and the

red sparks about which I was telling you gleamed in the dark eyes. You would think twice about

trying to stop John L. Sullivan, no matter what he was doing. I listened, therefore, while for the

next twenty minutes, without a break, he paced up and down the room talking about whiskey. He

talked with eloquence, too. Billy Sunday could have gotten ideas. He snorted and stroked his

mustache. Once a small chair got in his way. He kicked it absently, without seeming to use

much force, but the chair flew end over end all the way across the large room. When the torrent

of words ended, I put my cards on the table.

The Boston Globe 4 Feb 1918 – 13 March

John L Sullivan’s Life, as it was written by himself

Parts 1 to 23

By John L Sullivan

In beginning this narrative or my life and rather turbulent career, I want it distinctly understood

that I am not and never was ashamed of having been a fighter. To attain anything in this world

every man must fight and to reach the top he must win. Life itself is a fight. Even the art of

writing is a fight. If any of my readers have any doubts on that subject they should see me with a

pencil and paper in my hand trying to knock ideas out of my head, trying to fill these pages.

When I went on a grand tour of the United States and faced all comers, I did not find a single

man as hard to knock out as I do this first chapter.

As I said before, life is a fight from beginning to end. The world is full of fights, and those you

see directing the affairs of the Nation are the winners. They have fought their way to the top, and

that is the only way to get there. Even. the preachers have to fight. They go into the pulpit with

the idea, of knocking out the Devil, and by the way that Devil seems to be about the only fighter

that ever stuck it out regardless of age.

They keep pounding on him, however, and while they have never succeeded in knocking him

out completely, Old Satan has never got any better than a draw. The man who stands out in law,

medicine or any other profession has to fight his way to the top, and the poor boy who starts out

to reach the top was to fight his way to honors as well as to fight off poverty at the same time.

Desire to Excel

It may or may not be morally right for one man to stand up and strike another with his fists, but it

is the same old idea — a desire to excel. If you will remember away back yonder in the time of

Julius Caesar — well, I guess you can't remember that far back, neither can I — anyway, at that

time the historians, tell us of how great multitudes arose and marveled at the muscles of the

man." That was many years before the corning of Christ, and even then people were

congregating to look some fellow over who showed some signs of being a champion. The same

thing has been true ever since. Did you ever notice that throngs are on hand to greet a champion

just after he has won a big fight?. The rivalry between men for physical superiority is what is

left of our ancient animal instincts and will be continued until the end of time.

The lion ruled the forest because he was the best fighter. Among all the wild fighters the leader

of the herd is always the one who has won his spurs by showing physical superiority. Some time

ago I was standing in back of stage curtain of a moving picture show. At the start a picture of

President Taft was thrown on the screen and it got a fair round of applause. Next came

Roosevelt, and he received an even a little better applause. They then flashed a picture of Jim

Jeffries on the screen, and I thought the crowd would tear up the house.

It was almost an ovation. The next was that of George Washington the Father of His Country,

and he only got a ripple of handclapping. I do not think, however, that the favoritism toward

Jeffries was so much on account of lack of respect or admiration for the others, he was simply

the man of the hour — the man who was getting ready for the champion of the world with his

fists.

I merely relate that incident to show what a hold any man of muscle and brawn has on the

American public. Very few men can ever reach the ideal of physical perfection, and those who

do attain that honor are looked upon as heroes who have done something for the physical

uplifting of the race. Now. this is not a lecture, but I could not refrain from giving my readers a

few of my views in regard to the ancient sport, business or whatever you may pleased to call it,

of fighting.

Having passed the half century mark in years, and being able to look back over a career of strife

and excitement, my mind drifts to a little scene in the playground of a primary school in Concord

St. Boston.

It Was The Beginning

It was the beginning. A knot of youngsters had gathered in the centre of the playground and from

their gesticulations were evidently intensely excited. One youth held under his arm a little

schoolboy’s hat, and in it was a handful of marbles, some of the best and prettiest marbles in the

school. Another muscular looking youth had the bareheaded boy by the lapel of his coat and was

talking in the strongest language a boy of 12 knows. To his coat tail was hanging a small pale

faced boy, evidently in deep distress.

"Now, look here, Jerry," said the boy who was protecting the weaker youth, "You've got to

give this boy those marbles, you know he won them on the level, because he beat you plain."

"I ain't going to give him nothing." Jerry said, "I couldn't shoot cause my thumb was sore."

"Ain't so." said the little fellow "John, when I beat him he grabbed all the marbles and tried

to run away. Don't let him keep them." "Jerry, go on and give this boy those marbles”.

The boy spoken to as John was evidently getting angry, His eyes flashed and the muscles in his

small arms began to move up and down beneath the sleeve of his jacket. "I ain't going to give

them," replied Jerry, doggedly, "and I don't, know of anybody that can make me. It's none of

your business, anyhow."

"You ain't, eh?" replied John and his eyes snapped, "Well, let me tell you something. When

Bobby first came to this school his mother told me to look after him and I am going to do it.

You've got to give him those marbles or you've got to lick me, one or the other." At this the

little gathering of boys applauded vigorously. They wanted to see a fight. "Go on and fight, him.

Jerry, or give up the marbles," they yelled in chorus.

Jerry Was Willing

Jerry appeared to be willing, and after handing his cap and marbles to one of the boys the two

youthful fighters squared and got ready for an honest set-to. The other boys gathered in a

circle, which in schoolboy customs means a guarantee of fair play. After a little jumping around

Jerry ran at his antagonist and tried to plant a blow on his face, but it failed. John blocked the

blow, and came back with another that narrowly missed Jerry's ear.

"Hit him, John; hit him!" yelled little Bobbie, "he is a big bluffer." John tried but failed and

Jerry stung him with a glancing blow to the cheek. That appeared to get up the Irish in John and,

like a whirlwind, he waded into a clinch, his elbow rubbed into Jerry's ribs. Jerry reached for the

spot with his right hand and as he did so John's right shot out and struck him squarely on the

jaw". Jerry dropped to the ground defeated.

"Here's your marbles, Bobby," said John. "Ain't hurt much, are you, Jerry?" he asked the fallen

boy. "Let's shake hands." "Guess I was wrong, anyway," said Jerry. "Let's be. friends."

From that date on these two boys — Jerry and John — were

the best of friends. They were both named Sullivan, but were

no kin. The winner of that fight was yours truly, John L.

Sullivan, and it was the first big fight of his career. Moreover,

that fight was on the level and it was fair. I stuck to that

principle the rest of my life.

That little fight in the schoolyard on Concord St taught me that

the place to strike a man and knock him out without injuring

him permanently was on the point of the jaw. Practically every

man that was ever knocked out by me took the count from a

punch on the jaw.

I was not a quarrelsome boy, and as a rule had little trouble,

but it so happened that my prowess as a boxer spread around

the school and many a little lad I had had to defend in the

years that followed. My success as a regular boxer and fighter

for money will be told in the chapters that follow.

Part 2

I have always believed that I inherited my love for athletic

games and muscular feats from my father, who came from

County Kerry, Ireland. My big frame and general physical

build came from my mother’s side of the family. She was born

in County Roscommon, Ireland, and she came from a race of big men.

My father was a little fellow weighing no more than 130 pounds. What he lacked in size however

was made up in enthusiasm over great athletic stunts. In fact he grew so enthusiastic at times that

he almost forgot facts and figures. That was especially true as to things that were supposed to

have happened in Ireland. He could never “see” anything that occurred in America.

During my fight with Paddy Ryan for the championship my father spent time in a newspaper

office in Boston getting the telegraphic details. When the fight was over and my father learned

that I had won he was taken home in a cab. Several friends were along with him and he was

being showered with congratulations.

“Well Mr. Sullivan” said one of the newspaper men, “ I guess you are very proud of your son,

aren’t you”. “And what for ? “ asked the old gentleman in a derogatory manner.

“Why, because he has just won the championship”, replied the young man.

Nothing Said His Father

“That’s nothing, me son” said the old gentleman.”There’s many a man in Ireland who kin

knock the face of him”

While I knew the old gentleman was proud of his son at heart, he would never allow me to think

so. I shall never forget the manner in which he greeted me on my return.

“So you are the champion eh ?” he said after looking me over. “Well he continued. It’s a good

thing that you don’t fight in Ireland”

In the room with my father was an old gentleman named Hudson. They began to ply me with

questions as to what I had seen while travelling around the country. The talk was on matters

pertaining to athletics and great muscular feats.

I began to tell them about a great athlete James Maloney who I had seen jump in and out of 10

flour barrels and make a running jump of 22 feet. I think the record then was 21 feet.

“Sure that nothing” said the old man. “you have no jumpers in this country . I mind a fellow

born in Ireland who jumped across the Shannon River and it was 32 feet from bank to bank at

the narrowest place”

“Well “ I replied a little testily “ I guess you never had a man over there who could do what

George Washington did”. “And what was that ? asked the two of them. “Why he threw a silver

dollar across the Potomac river when he was only 18 years old”.

That stumped the old men for a minute. “Well ye know my boy” finally said my father, “Ye know

a dollar went a long way in them days”.

Learned To Keep Cool

I quickly learned that the advantage was in keeping cool and making every blow count. I was

naturally very strong. In fact I weighed 200 pounds before I had reached the age of 21. I was

quite a good runner, a good baseball player, and a fair Jumper. I liked boxing better and I made

that a specialty.

At that time boxing was quite the rage around the athletic clubs of Boston and I fell right in with

the sport. I always believed in fighting with gloves. At this time I was working as an apprentice

plumber trying to learn the trade. I got along very nicely and did not have as much time as I

would have liked to devote to boxing. I went to the clubs at night and was beginning to make

some reputation as an amateur boxer.

I worked the plumbing trade for 6 months. When the water pipes in the old Williams market

were frozen a journeyman and myself were sent there. We went with all the necessary appliances

which were used for thawing out pipes in the plumbing trade, including lighted torch and hot

water. After a hard day’s work in which I carried all the water the journeyman and myself had

some words. I told him that I thought I had carried enough and that he could have a few hours of

that work himself. This caused some feeling between us and resulted in our having a scrap over

the affair, and right there I won another fight. He made his escape to the shop which was only a

few doors from where we were working.

When Career began

A few nights after that my career as a boxer really began.

I dropped into a variety show at the Dudley Street Opera

House. I knew that there was to be a boxing exhibition,

but I had no idea of taking any part in it. I took a seat

among some friends near the first row. A strong looking

young fellow named Scannell was introduced as a great

boxer, he walked to the footlights and said.

“ I would be glad to put the gloves on with any man in

the house. If there is anybody here who thinks I cant

lick him, let him stand up”

I could feel that everybody in the house was turning his

eyes on me. Having had some local reputation as a boxer

they naturally expected me to accept the challenge.

I walked to the stage and went into the wings. I had no

fighting togs, so I simply took off my collar and rolled up

my sleeves. I walked out on the stage and everybody laughed because I looked so queer in my

street clothes, while the great fighter had on tights. I was very timid at being on stage, and I

stood around for a second, as if waiting for the fighters to be introduced.

As I stood there with my hands down that fellow Scannell walked up behind me and gave me an

awful clout on the back of the head that almost knocked me cold. I was enraged at this, but did

not lose my senses. Turning my head very quickly I saw Scannell smiling at the crowd as if he

had done a very smart trick.

I was determined to get even with that fellow and without turning my head I slowly edged up to

him until I had got within range. I then turned like a flash and let loose my big right fist. The

blow caught him squarely on the point of the jaw and lifted him clearly of his feet. I swung so

hard that I knocked him over the top of the piano and into the orchestra. He crashed into the

works of that piano and made the inside of it look like a load of splinters. He kept falling until he

had broken three of the fiddles and your ought to have heard them howl. They wanted the money

for their broken fiddles, but I told them to collect it from Scannell. Scannell came to about an

hour afterward.

I didn’t get any money for that fight, but had the pleasure of taking the fight out of the fellow

who had hit me from behind and broke up a German orchestra as well.

Part 3

As a youth I was a very industrious young fellow, and, unlike many fighters, I never had much

trouble making money. When I quit the tin smithing business I was getting $21 a week and that

was considered good pay in those days.

I was one of the best amateur ball players around Boston and played with the Tremonts, the

Etnas, Our Boys and several other clubs. I used to get $25 for playing a game and I got that

twice a week. I played first base and right field and was a good hitter. In 1870 I was offered

$1300 to play with the then famous Cincinnati Reds in Its seasons of 1870 and 1880.

I had the boxing fever, however, and did not accept the offer. Between my baseball playing

and my boxing exhibitions around town I was making as much as $1000 a week before I was 21

years old.

Having made up my mind to become a fighter I went at it in a systematic way. I never had a

teacher. I never took a boxing lesson in my life, I watched other boxers keenly and appropriated

the best of their styles. I was strong and that made it easy for me to experiment.

The first regular sparring match ,they would call it a fight these days, that I ever had was in 1878,

when I met Johnny Woods, better known as "Cocky" Woods, in Cockerill Hall, Hanover St,

Boston. He was also a Bostonian and was a man of considerable reputation, having been

matched to fight Heenan, the Benecia boy. After a little preliminary sizing' up I planted a clean

wallop on his jaw and he was out.

You must understand that at this time practically all championship fights were fought under the

old London prize ring rules. They differ vastly from the Marquis of Queensberry rules that are

used today.

London Prize Ring Rules

Under London prize ring rules the rounds may last one minute or they may last 10. Whenever

either fighter is knocked or wrestled to the ground the gong sounds and the round is over.

Thirty seconds are allowed for rest, but the fighters were more apt to get three minutes. That 30

seconds of time is supposed to start from the moment the fighter is placed in his chair in the

corner of the ring. Consequently the old fighters did a lot of "stalling." for instance, they would

fall to the ground and the trainers would take plenty of time in going to pick them up. These

seconds would make a chair out of their arms and hands and place the fighters on it. They would

take all the time they could to get back to the corner and then after they got there the fighter

would still have 30 seconds.

There are a lot of fighters in America today who would have a hard time getting along under the

old London prize ring rules, especially if they had to fight with their bare fists. During the year

1880 I had many fights and succeeded in beating two such men as Dan Dwyer and Tommy

Chandler

This was not the "Tom" Chandler of Pacific Coast fame, however. Later In that year I got my

chance to be known as a coming fighter. It was through Prof Mike Donovan, the man who

trained President Roosevelt, that I got a first peep at fame. I agreed to box with Donovan at a

benefit performance given him by some friends at the Howard Athenaeum in Boston.

We wound up the fight in three rounds, and toward the finish I really tried to knock him out. I

didn't quite make it, however, and we left the stage with the crowd cheering. The master of

ceremonies, thinking we were sore at each other, made us shake hands. Donovan was a clever

boxer and I surprised him by my ability to stand him off. !

When we reached our dressing rooms upstairs we had a long talk. "John," he said, "I believe you

really tried to knock me out." . "O, no," said I, as 1 winked to one of my seconds. "I didn't try

very hard to finish you."

"Well, I'm going to be honest with you, John," he said, "and tell you that I tried my best to

knock you out and I was surprised I failed to do it." "Well, I'll be honest," I. replied, "and tell

you that I came within an inch of putting the knockout wallop over. If you hadn't dodged that

last one that was aimed at your jaw you wouldn't have come to yet."

They Didn't Believe It

Prof Donovan returned to New York and told Joe Goss, George Rooke and other knowing ones

around that city that he had found a comer up in Boston that was going to be the boss of the mat.

"O, tell that to the sailors," Goss replied. "I would like to get a peep at him. Can't you show

him to us?" Donovan told them that they would see me before long. Goss, at that time, if you

remember, was one of England's greatest champions, and, incidentally, he was a great fellow to

know.

It was so arranged that I was to meet Goss on April 6, 1880, at a testimonial given to him in

Music Hall, Boston. That gave me the first chance to demonstrate to the wise ones that I was to

become one of the world's greatest exponents of the manly art of fighting.

We boxed three rounds, and I could have knocked him out completely, but my friends advised

me not to do so. In the second round we were standing toe to toe and slugging when suddenly I

let loose a right-handed swing and knocked him flat. He was all in, but his seconds managed to

get him to his corner and save him for the next round. As he came in the third I could have

finished him easily, but Tom Denny and Billy Edwards advised me not to do so, as I might hurt

him worse than I intended.

Therefore I was very careful and sparred through the last round without trying for a knockout

blow. As Goss was taken to his dressing rooms he turned to the referee and said: "That fellow's

blows feel like the kick of a mule."

The next day the papers had a little article about the fight and one of them said: "Sullivan's

terrific hitting on this occasion proved quite a sensation." You know, in those days the papers

didn't have much to say about prize fighting. If a fighter got as much as two inches of reading'

about himself before a fight came off he was lucky.

Part 4

When, at the age of 21, I spent two months in a strange city, fought a man twice to get a

decision, was arrested by the police end then received a purse of $58 and $20 of which I

contributed myself for my troubles, I began to feel that I was a real prize fighter.

The city I visited was Cincinnati and the man I fought was John Donaldson, who was known far

and wide as the "champion of the West." The fight advanced me to the first round of the

pugilistic ladder and gave me an initial insight into the workings of the prize ring as the sport

was conducted in those days.

My reputation as a boxer and fighter In Boston had spread throughout, the country. John

McCormick, a sporting writer on the Cincinnati Enquirer, who later came to New York and write

under the name of "Macon," conceived the idea of having a fight in Cincinnati between a good

man from the East and the champion of the West.

Having found gentlemen who would give him financial backing: Mr. McCormick packed

his grip and started for Boston. They didn't do things through the papers In those days as much as

they do now.

One afternoon I dropped into a sporting place known as Sheppard's, in Boston, and the proprietor

told me there was a stranger there to see me. The visitor was Mr. McCormick."I want you to

come out to Cincinnati and see if you can best our champion in an exhibition boxing match,"

he said to me. "And I want to know what you will charge. Of course I will pay railroad

expenses both ways."

I thought It over for a minute, and then agreed to go for $250. I thought that was putting the

figure pretty high at that.

"That's a little high," he said, "but I'll tell you what I will do, I will pay your railroad fare and

your hotel bill and give you $150.". "You're on," I replied, and the bargain was sealed.

Imagine a fighter of today going all the way from Boston to Cincinnati to fight the "champion of

the West" for why, they would charge you that much now for incidentals.

Started for the West

A few days thereafter I packed my grip and started out for the strange Western country. That is

the first time I ever went away from home. Arriving at Cincinnati I had a week in which to get

ready. I didn't need it, however, for I was ready all the time.

The boxing match was held in Robinson's Opera

House, and when I stepped on the stage I saw that the

place was jammed to the doors with people. I

determined, then and there to put the Western

champion out if I got a chance. Donaldson was a well

built man and was a fighter of considerable note. He

had licked a lot of good men out in that section of the

country and I knew that if I even made it close the fight

would give me some added reputation and finally lead

me up to a fight for a championship.

Although considerable heavier than Donaldson, I was

much quicker. He quickly realized that and attempted

to keep out of my way. We were to box three rounds. It

was in the second round that I caught him as he jumped

and the blow floored him. I hit him so hard that he

almost turned a somersault, and the spectators set up a

shout of wild glee.

When the third round was over the crowd began yelling

"Go on! Go on! Give us some more of it." Donaldson

walked to the corner and removed his gloves. He refused to continue the fight.

"I am not in condition," he explained to the gang. "And as this man is in training I refuse to

fight him." As a matter of fact, I had not trained as much as Donaldson. I was in perfect

condition, however, and didn't need to train.

The crowd was in a big hubbub and everybody was clamoring for Donaldson to go on and have

it out. I stood there for I knew that I could lick him. Finally Donaldson came to the footlights

and made a speech. "I am not going to fight now because I am not in condition," he said. "But I

here challenge John L. Sullivan to meet me in two months for $500 a side and the fight to be

fought with hard gloves." "That suits me." I replied. "Get your money up."

Waited Two Months

As a matter of fact I did not have $500, but I had several friends in Cincinnati, who offered to put

up the coin. Donaldson never did get up his money, but I was so anxious to get at him that I

decided to fight, anyway. I stayed around Cincinnati for two months at my own expense to get

this fight. Mr. McCormick made good his contract to the letter and paid me $150 and expenses,

but, of course, he had nothing to do with the second fight and I had to take a chance on getting

what I could.

Donaldson and myself finally met on the night, of Dec 24, back of the old Atlantic garden on

Vine St. We had intended fighting at some hall out of town, but the police got on to it and

gave a warning not to start. There was a big crowd waiting to see that mill start. Those on the

inside finally got the tip and we all slipped around to the hall back of Atlantic garden.

There was a crowd of less than 150 on hand when we finally got together, and none of them paid

their way in. We were afraid of the police and had to rely on a collection. This was done by

passing around the hat. I put $20 in the hat myself. I was counting on getting Donaldson’s $500

bet.

At the last minute he flickered on the money question, but said he, would get it as soon as his

friends arrived. They never arrived.

We started the fight finally, under the London prize rules. It lasted 10 rounds, and when 1 finally

hooked a hard right swing on Donaldson's jaw he went down and out. He had prolonged the fight

by running around the ring and crawling on the floor when down. It was not a hard tight, for I

had the best of it all the way through. If we had been fighting under Marquis of Queensberry

rules I would have knocked Donaldson out in less than three rounds, but he kept stalling me off

by hitting the floor und staying there.

Just $58 in the Hat

After I had been declared the winner I took the hat that held the money. When counted up it

figured just $58, and I never saw anything of that $500 that was to have been bet by Donaldson,

To add to my troubles as a coming fighter both Donaldson and myself were arrested the next

day. Bobb Linn went bond for both of us. On the following Wednesday we were tried for

"engaging in a prize fight."

The courtroom was packed when we came before the judge, and there were scores of witnesses.

Their testimony kept the courtroom in an uproar of laughter until the Judge stopped it.

Johnny Moran, brother-in-law of Peter Morris, the well-known featherweight champion of

England at one time, was the main witness. "Did you see a prize fight between these two men?"

asked the judge. "No, your honor," replied Moran. "What I saw was a foot race."

"Well, who was ahead'.'" asked the judge. "Donaldson was in the lead by several yards," replied

Moran. "And Sullivan was hot behind him."

"Did he catch him?" asked the judge, who was enjoying the thing himself.

"Only once, judge," replied Moran. "And then he barely touched him."

"Well, what happened then?" asked the Judge.

"Nothing, judge," replied the witness, "except that Donaldson stopped running”

"You are discharged," said the judge to Donaldson and myself. "I fall to see any harm in a good

footrace."

Part 5

It was in Cincinnati that I first saw light ahead that would eventually lead me to the

championship. My victory over John Donaldson had made me quite a favorite in the Ohio city,

and I was advised to go after Paddy Ryan and not stop until I had nailed him. I needed no advice,

however, for it had always been my one ambition to get Paddy Ryan, the champion, in the ring

and let myself loose. Thus it was that the following challenge appeared in the Cincinnati

Enquirer:

To the Sporting Editor of the Enquirer:

I am prepared to make a match

To fight any man breathing for any

sum from $1000 to $10,000 at catch weights

This challenge is specially

directed at Paddy Ryan and will remain

open for a mouth, if he should

see fit not to accept it,

Respectfully yours.

JOHN L. SULLIVAN.

I caught Ryan at Springfield, Mass, but he refused to either spar or fight me. "You go get a

reputation before coming to me," said Ryan. I could clearly see he did not consider me worthy

of his standing as a pugilist. Arriving in Boston, I was practically broke. I set about to raise some

money in case Ryan should accept my challenge. I got hold of Joe Goss, the English

champion whom I had licked, and we gave a sparring: exhibition.

There were several bouts at the exhibition and one of the men I was selected to fight was Jack

Stewart, called "The Champion of Canada." I shall never forget that fight, for it was the first

time I had ever seen a man show the white feather in the ring. I cracked Stewart a couple of hard

ones and in the second round he ran out of the ring and fled from the hall. Just as he was beating

it into the wings I gave him a hard kick that helped him on his way.

Before the fight he had been parading around the theatre and telling everybody about what he

was going to do to me. The exhibition netted $1300, which Goss and divided evenly.

Goss opened a sporting resort in Boston with his share of the money. I took the first train to New

York. I had but one thing in view. I must get a reputation and at the same time get together

enough money to make good on a bet with Ryan.

No "Stage Money" Then

You know, in those days, when a fighter said he would bet $500 he had to put it up. In this day

and time they bet $10,000 and $15,000 at a crack, but that is easy. They never put it up. Most of

the bets in prize fighting today are made on paper.

On the way to New York I thought out a scheme for getting money that later proved to be the

greatest novelty ever introduced in prize fighting and one that did more to add to my fame

than anything I ever did. My idea was to meet any man in the world that wanted to fight me and

give $50 to anyone who could last four rounds.

On March 31, 1881, I was tendered a testimonial benefit at Harry Hill's place. The sports of New

York were beginning to take an interest in me, and I received lots of encouragement in my

ambition to finally become the champion. At the close of the entertainment at Harry Hill's the

master of ceremonies walked to the footlights and announced in a loud voice:

"This man , John L. Sullivan, is not afraid to fight any man in the world. He offers $50 to any

man who stands before him for four rounds. He does not expect any one, and if Paddy Ryan

is in the house It goes for him." In one of the boxes was a man known as Steve Taylor, though

his real name was John Mahan. Many of the New Yorkers of today will remember him.

He was a native of Ireland, but came to America when a youth. During his career Mahan was

well known around New York as a politician under the Tweed regime. He was also a coroner

in Jersey City at the time. As a boxer and prize fighter Mahan was for some reason known as

Steve Taylor, and it is that name I will use in telling this narrative.

Taylor had fought many of his fights and around New York he was looked upon as a wonder.

He was a six-footer of very powerful build, and as agile as a cat. He fought a draw in 1878 with

Phil Dwyer, the Brooklyn champion. When Jem Mace came over here from England Taylor was

looked upon as the only man that could give him a fight. Among Taylor's other experiences

were those of training Paddy Ryan for his fight with Joe Goss and sparring over The country

with him.

It can be readily understood that all the people at the boxing benefit naturally turned their eyes

towards Taylor when I issued my challenge of $50 for anybody who could stand before me for

four rounds. "I will fight him, finally said Taylor, as he jumped to the stage. Matt Grace, the

collar and elbow wrestler, was selected an referee, and Hollywood stood up for Taylor, while

Billy Madden acted in that capacity for me. We fought under the Marquis of Queensberry rules

and wore ordinary boxing gloves. The minute I saw Taylor put up his hands knew I would beat

him.

Paid, Although He Won

The first round was spent sizing each other up. Just at

the end of the opening round I got in one left that

staggered Taylor, and he looked at me in surprise. He

never felt a blow like that before, he afterwards told

me.

We had barely got started in the second round when I

caught Taylor on the side of the head, with a right hand

swing, and he hit the floor with a thump. He was game

to the core and came up for more. He was making a

desperate attempt to last the four rounds. Again I felled

him with a stinging right, and he was so far gone when

the bell rang that he threw up the sponge and I had

won.

I felt a little sorry for Taylor, because he appeared to

be a good game fellow. I needed the money badly, but

I couldn't stand the idea of seeing him lose a fight like

that and then go broke. I went over and shook his hand

and gave him half of the prize he had failed to win.

After that Taylor was a friend of mine and he once

went with me as a sparring partner on a trip around the

country.

The crowd went wild over this novelty in prize fighting. The crowd was anxious for more.

Finally there was a voice up in the gallery. A big rawboned looking fellow stood up for a

minute and then walked to the stage. "I have just come over from England, said the new man and

haven't got a farthing to my name. I would like to fight for a purse If I can get a backer. My

name is Con Morris. I think I can lick this fellow."

The hall was again in an uproar.

I will give a purse of $500 for a fight between those two men','' said a voice from the gallery, and

Bill Borst, the famous sporting man, stood up. I found out later that Jim Wakely was also ready

to help. Everything was going along nicely and I was told to come in Borst's place that night so

we could fix up the details. we had just about fixed everything up when they decided they had

better take Morris uptown and give him a tryout. They told him to put on the gloves with a

fellow named Connors, who was a very ordinary fighter around New York. The new champion

proved a bad one and Connors knocked him out in five rounds.

This stopped my fight with Morris and it was responsible for my battle with John Flood on the

barge in the Hudson River. I will reserve my description of that fight for the next chapter.

Part 6

I was seated on a campstool in one of the dark corners of the old barge. My only companion for

most of the trip was Joe Goss, the old champion, whom I had licked in Boston. As we moved

slowly up the stream I could hear the choppy waters of the Hudson River sloshing against the

sides of the old boat. I thought of the good old times around Boston, and couldn't help being

reminded of how far I had gone to realize my ambition of being a great fighter.

The only light we had was that from a flickering torch stuck over in a corner. There was a haze

of tobacco smoke all over the barge, and through it I could see men drinking from wine bottles

and wagering money by the handfuls. There was occasionally a burst of laughter, but the

principal noise was the popping of champagne corks.

The chill of the night had begun to make me shiver when Jim Wakely, the famous New York

sport, came over and threw an extra blanket around my .shoulders. I was already dressed for

the fight and Goss had to continually rub me to prevent stiffness of my muscles. The tug that was

towing us up the river made as little noise as possible. The torches were backed up with

reflectors to prevent them being seen from shore. The whole affair seemed weird and mysterious.

We were dodging the police.

Since the days of Sayers and Yankee Sullivan the police have been a constant thorn in the side of

the prize fighters. Even to this day matches have to be so arranged that conditions are introduced

in the agreements covering a possible interference by these officers of the law. They gave us

some lively chases in those days, but by some hook or crook we always managed to ward off

arrest until after the fights had been decided. After all my big fights, or rather the greater part

of them, I had to undergo arrest.

As we proceeded up the river that memorable night — it was April, 1881— I was constantly on

the lookout for any boat that might put out from the shore. In another corner of the barge sat John

Flood, a noted heavyweight, known far and wide as the "Bull's Head Terror." He and his party

were watching the other side of the river.

To a Finish, for $1000

Having failed to get a match with the Englishman, Con Morris, Billy Borst and Jim Wakely had

arranged for Flood and myself to fight to a finish, under London prize ring rules for a purse of

$1000. Of that amount $750 was to go to the winner and $250 to the loser. In addition to that we

made several side bets. We had been warned of interference by the police, and the managers had

conceived the idea of slipping up the Hudson in a barge and holding the fight in the middle of the

stream opposite Yonkers.

Five hundred men were taken on the barge at $10 each, which, as you see, made a sum total of

$5000. Of course the managers had to come in for something, as well as to pay the expenses

of the trip, the referee, timekeepers, etc.

As I sat there keeping an eye on the shore Joe Goss, who had left me for a moment, came back

and tapped me on the shoulder. "John," he whispered “they have framed it up to beat you out of

this. you want to be on the lookout for they intend to play some trick on you”. "I don't believe

they would take the chance," I replied.

Goss insisted that he knew what he was talking about, however, and again he left me for a

minute."They are all ready to try It," he whispered, as he came back to my corner. There are

several toughs over in that end of the boat and they have been betting their heads off on Flood. If

he does not win it their plan is to jump in the ring, put out the lights and stop the fight. If they

cannot win any other way they will throw you overboard”

I stilt refused to believe that men would be capable of such a thing. Despite this belief I later

found that it was true. Jim Wakely, Billy Borst and some others came around with the same

information. By the time the old barge had reached the end of Manhattan Island the rumor had

spread all over the boat, and it looked for awhile as if there was going to be serious trouble.

It was something like 10 o'clock when we reached a point off Yonkers and there we anchored. I

knew now that It was time to fight. Al Smith, one of the most reliable and straightforward men

that the sporting world ever knew, was selected as referee, and Joe Elliott, at one time

sporting editor of the New York Herald, acted as stakeholder.

Ordered Into the Ring

The anchor had hardly struck the mud when 'we were ordered to get in the ring. I did not know it

then, but it developed later that Al Smith had hurried things so as to stall off any trouble

regarding the plot to beat me out of the fight if I won.

As Flood and I took seats opposite each other in the canvas-covered ring Al Smith threw off his

coat and stood up between us. "Gentlemen," said Smith, "I have an important announcement to

make, and I want you to listen. There has been a plot formed here to beat Sullivan out of this

fight if he wins, and I want to tell you right now that you are not going to get away with it. If

any man other than the fighters puts his foot into this ring or attempts to start any trouble I

will award this fight to John L Sullivan, and I have friends enough on hand to see that he gets

the money”.

“Have you got the money Mr Elliot ?

The stakeholder announced that he had the money on hand and he would turn it over according

to the referee’s directions, no matter what happened.

“You are right” yelled the gang from Cherry Hill “ and we’ll stick by you”

That put a decided crimp into the scheme, and Flood and I got ready to fight. As I was walking

over, to shake hands with my opponent, I caught a glimpse of the smiling face of Paddy Ryan in

the edge of the crowd. "I'll get you next," I said to him, and he laughed good naturedly.

"You'll get a chance yet," he replied, and someone in the crowd added: "But you will have to get

up some dough to fight the champion."

Flood and I pulled on our skin-tight gloves, and with a shout

from the crowd we went at it. Still fearing some trick on the

part of Flood's friends, I made up my mind to end the fight

just as quickly as possible.

Without waiting for any preliminary sparring I rushed at

Flood and let both fists drive at his face and stomach. He

stood them oft for a second, and then I caught him on the ear

with a right-hand swing that sent him flopping to the floor.

The round had lasted less than a minute. You must bear in

mind that we were fighting under London prize ring rules,

and that a round ended when one or the other of the fighters

was downed.

How It Ended

In the eighth round Flood showed a little new life and came to

me with a rush. That was just what I wanted. He had been

keeping out of reach for several minutes. We had been

fighting 16 minutes when Flood suddenly made a second dash

toward me. A wave then lurched the boat a little, which only served to increase his momentum. I

saw his right fist coming and dodged it. I knew that my chance had arrived. Instead of stepping

to one side I braced myself and, as his fist shot over my head my right landed squarely on his jaw

and he flopped to the floor. It was an awful jawbreaker that I hit him, and without waiting for

him to revive Flood's own backers threw up the sponge and admitted that I had won.

"There is no use in letting a willing man be killed," said one of Flood's backers. "He is

completely outclassed." Although I still had in mind the attempt that had been made to stop the

fight and cheat me out of my honest victory, I felt very sorry for Flood. I knew he had nothing to

do with that scheme. He was too honest and too game.

I went over to the corner and took him by the hand. "We met as friends. old fellow," I said to

Flood, "and I want to part that way." I then grabbed a hat and went all over the boat taking up a

collection for the man I had beaten. After that fight John Flood was one of the best friends

I ever had.

Paddy Ryan came over and congratulated me. The next morning there appeared an interview in

one of the papers, in which Ryan said: "Sullivan is a clever young fellow, and he looks as if he

would turn out to be a good fighter." "Are you willing to give me a fight now?" I asked of

Ryan, when I met him on the street. "Show me another good victory and I'll talk to you,"

replied Ryan. Still determined, I started out looking for another customer.

Part 7

The prevalent idea that fighters, as a rule,

are vicious and cruel is erroneous. I have

known some pugilists of prominence who

were so gentle in thought as To be actually

"chicken hearted" over the most trivial

matters. Old Joe Goss couldn't stand to see

a chicken killed.

I have also known fighters who would

fight all day in the ring and then be afraid

to go into a dark room. Kid Broad, they

tell me, couldn't sleep in a room without a

light in it.

Fighting becomes a business pure and

simple. The knockout is merely detail of

the job. I never

Experienced a thrill of pleasure in

knocking a man out, and I have often

wished that fights could be settled without

the necessity, of rendering a man

unconscious .The public won't have it any

other way. The fight fans are always more

vicious in temperament, than the fighters.

They are responsible for most of the prize

ring's brutality.

The reader has probably attended many

fights in which he saw one of the combatants staggering around the ring and the other hesitating

to strike the deciding blow until his opponent was able to put up his hands. "Finish him! Finish

him!" the spectators will yell. "Go on and knock him out!" You have heard and seen that many

times if you attend boxing matches. The fighter is thus forced to deliver a blow on the face of a

helpless man when he really hates to do it.

As I left the barge that memorable night In April, after having whipped John Flood, I was

thinking about these things. He wanted me to fight him again and I hated to do it. I knew that I

could knock him out whenever I got ready, and I really hated to take advantage of him again. As

an illustration of this feeling on the part of fighters, the greatest regret I had while in the prize

ring was in knocking out a gigantic blacksmith while touring the West and offering $50 for any

man that would stand before me for four rounds. Evans was his name, I believe. I had heard that

a giant would be up against me that night, and I was looking over the various persons who came

around the wings of the stage.

Man's Son Was There

Presently I caught sight of a stripling of about 18 years. He acted in a manner to attract my

attention. He was plainly nervous and something appeared to be weighing on his mind. By

Intuition I picked him out as the son of the man who was going to fight me.

“come here young fellow” I said to the youth, and he came up trembling. His big blue eyes

wandered around as if he were expecting somebody at any minute. “Are you the son of the man

who is going to fight me ?” I asked.

“Yes sir” he replied, “ and I have come here to make him stop, my mother and I don’t want

him to fight. He says though that he can lick anybody in the country, and that he is going to

get that $50”

“I would rather give you the £50 now” I replied. “If he needs the money that bad. I don’t want

to fight him”

"O no, sir “said the boy, "I couldn't do that. You don't know my father. He means to fight."

Just then a man of enormous build came lumbering on the stage. He must have been seven feet

tall and weighed close to 300 pounds. The crowd was beginning to yell for us to go on with the

scrap, and the big blacksmith had many friends on hand to help him along. We finally got in the

ring, and as I shook hands with the giant I looked over and could see those big blue eyes of the

boy as he stood in the wings. In his face. I could see a look of fear and at the same time a hope

that his father might win out after all.

"Well, there is nothing to do but to whip this fellow," I said to myself, "so I had better get at it."

He was much taller than I, and I had to figure on a way to get him. The big blacksmith lunged at

me with a roar and I stepped to one side. He went bellowing to the other side of the ring and

came up against the ropes with a growl. Again I caught a glimpse of the boy’s eyes and they

were sparkling with hope.

He Got Up for More

The next time the blacksmith started I stepped a little to one side and then poked my left hand

into his stomach. That brought him clown within reach and I clipped him a clean right on the

jaw. The blow felled him, but he was of tough caliber and immediately got up far more.

In the second round I knocked him down again but he came right back. Up to this time he had not struck me a single blow. Again he lunged at me and again I floored him. This time he got up

very groggy. He was staggering about the ring and I could have finished him easily, but the blue

eyes of that boy haunted me. I hated to do it. In the third round the blacksmith was very groggy. I

knocked him down a couple of times and he was all in. He would not give up, however. Finally,

he ran at me and all I had to do was hold up my fists. He ran into them and knocked himself out.

I could see tears in the boy's eyes as they carried his father to the corner. "Here, son," I called to

the boy. "Take this $50 and run with it to your mother. Your daddy tried hard to earn it."

It was a month after the famous barge fight that I met Flood for the second and last time. I had

responded to the demand to meet him again. This time things had been fixed up with the

police and we were to fight in Clarendon Hall, New York.

Every sporting man in the country was there, for the tip had gone out that there would be some

excitement over another challenge to Ryan. Just before the fight with Flood began the crowd

started yelling for me, and I walked to the corner of the ring.

"Gentlemen," I said, "I am ready at any time to meet Ryan in a glove fight, and I think it is

time he was giving me a chance." "A glove fight decides nothing," shouted James McGowan of

the Police Gazette. "This is no baby affair."

"He will find out it's no baby affair when I'm through," I replied. “I have a blank check signed

by Richard K. Fox," yelled McGowan, as he jumped to his feet. "And if you want to make a

match I will fill it out for any amount from $5000 to $10,000."

Thought $1000 Too Little

"I will waive the glove clause," I repled, "and will fight him with bare fists for $1000. I can’t go

any further than that now, until I have seen my backers”

“One thousand dollars doesn’t amount to anything” said McGowan, as the crowd began to jeer

him.

“better men than Ryan or I have fought for $1000” I said.”There’s Jem Mace, Tom Allen and

others who fought for less than that”.

The crowd was intensely excited over this colloquy and they were jumping up in all parts of the

hall. One of my friends finally climbed on a chair and yelled “ If Ryan will fight for $1000 a

match can be made right here”

“Ryan won’t fight for $1000” remarked McGowan. “It isn’t worth while”

I didn't have the money and there was no use in going on with the argument. I saw I would have

to raise $5000 to get a chance at the championship. That is the way they made matches in those

days, right out in the open.

The fighters did not work for the promoters at so much an hour. They had to put up their money,

and what they said went. This thing of betting $10,000 without having a cent did not go in

those days.

The incident being over, Flood and I went on with our fight. Harry Hill was master of

ceremonies. Flood was easily defeated, and I never fought him again. That exciting incident

over, the Ryan match had aroused the sporting blood of New York, and it eventually led to

the great fight of my career.

Part 8

As my scheme of offering $50 for any man that would stand before

me for four rounds had panned out pretty well, I decided to keep it

up. My tour began with an exhibition at Philadelphia and by the time

I had returned to Boston the match with Ryan had been made.

Things were working nicely now, and I would soon be in a position

to have a say as to the arrangements for these big fights myself.

Arriving at Philadelphia I appeared on the stage at Arthur Chambers

hall and offered to fight any number of men four rounds each. The

only man who accepted the challenge was a local boxer by the name

of Crossly, he quit in the first round. Soon after that I began to see a

new angle of the boxing game.

In those days it was customary to give benefit entertainments for

boxers, so that they could have a little spending money, I agreed to put in a week at John Clark's

Olympia for $150. John Clark, the proprietor, came to me and asked me to allow the use of my

name, as a drawing card for the benefit. "Sure," I said. "Go right ahead. You know I want to be

a good fellow,"

Clark went out and advertised that affair as a benefit to me, when in reality it was a benefit to

him, and he made several hundred dollars. For my end I merely got the S160 for a week's

work.

Just before I appeared Mr. Clark addressed the crowd from the footlights. "As there are three

men in the hall," he said, "who, I understand, would like to try Mr. Sullivan, I hope they will

hurry to the front."

This One Took 40 Seconds In a minute a big, muscular-looking man was seen making his way to the footlights. He proved

to be Dan McCarty, a famous fighter of Baltimore. "Well," said McCarty, "I am here to call

your bluff. So you had better get busy." He took off his coat and shirt and donned the mitts.

" I hate to break your winning streak,' said McCarty, "but I need that $50." His friends heard

this and set up a big roar of applause.

Before we were hardly set McCarty ran at me, but I fooled him by not stepping to one side. I

planted my feet firmly and shot my right list straight into his face. The blow slammed him up

against the dressing-room. As he came back I let him have the other barrel, and that left of mine

knocked him to his knees. I could hear him abusing me as he rested on his knees. Then as he

arose I turned loose my right again and it caught him squarely on the neck just below the ear. We

went sprawling on the floor and was out for the count.

It was some time before they could resuscitate him, and I began to set alarmed. It had taken just

40 seconds to lay McCarthy out. He finally came around all right and I offered him my hand.

From Philadelphia I went to Chicago and gave an exhibition at McCormick's Hall on the North

Side in Clark St. I made my same offer of $50 and the first night I discovered that they had tried

to put, in a ringer on me. Parson Davies, the well-known sporting man, was interested in my

exhibition financially. He received 25 percent of the profits for his end.

Tried to Put in a Ringer "Well, we have a good one for you tonight," a local sport informed me as I walked to the stage

that night. "He is a tugboat man known as Jack Dalton. He is all right, too." I felt that something

was wrong, so I made inquiries of a close friend concerning Dalton. I found out that he was a

famous fighter in the West, and that he had successfully downed John Dwyer, Ryan, Donaldson,

Chandler and others. I realized that I would have to go at this fellow right from the jump if I

wanted to get him in shape for a licking.

We had hardly been introduced to the crowd when I shot a couple of vicious right-handers

straight in his face and he started to bleed. The way I went after the big tugman got the crowd

going immediately, and in a minute the place was in an uproar. He was a game fellow, however,

and he held me off for three rounds. In the fourth the tugman came up a little groggy, and I

waited for a chance to crack him on the jaw. This came in a few seconds, and I knocked him so

stiff that he was out for 10 or 15 minutes. I gave him $25 anyway.

That fight put me on the road to final success. A Chicago paper of that date said: "Sullivan

created quite a sensation by the way he knocked out Dalton, .and there were any number of

men who offered to back him for any amount, from S1000 to $10,000, to fight anybody in the

world."

John Dwyer, the old fighter, made a statement to the crowd, in which he said .1 was the most

dangerous young follow in America. A few days after that I had a chance to make the easiest

$250 I over made in my life. I had gone over to Mt Clemens, a Summer resort about 20 miles

from Detroit, Mich. I had never seen that part of the country before and I started to take a look

around.

Beating a Bully

On one of the streets there was a raised sidewalk, and on my first night I selected that as my

route for a stroll. As i walked along I suddenly received a severe bump that nearly knocked me

off the sidewalk. I looked around in surprise. A big, tough looking fellow glared at me. Without

saying a word he deliberately tried again to bump me off the sidewalk.

"What do you mean by that?" I asked him. "Are you deliberately trying to knock me off the

sidewalk?"

"I’ll make you jump oft if I want to," he yelled back. "You don't know me," I replied, a little

angrily. "Have you mistaken me for somebody else, or what is your game?"

"I will show you what my name is," he said, and he made a pass at me. "I knew there was no use

to argue with this fellow, and having seen politeness and diplomacy failed, I squared off. The

thug seemed surprised that I would even take a chance with him and he rushed at me with a

bellow.

The air was blue with vile epithets that for some reason he was heaping, upon me. In a minute I

saw that he knew nothing about fighting, but by this time I was thoroughly angry and I let him

have one on the point of the jaw that would have knocked out a bull. He went down and out for

keeps.

The citizens evidently heard of the fight, tor the next morning a committee appeared at my hotel.

The spokesman was a druggist named Crane, who said: "Mr Sullivan, I have come to present

you with a purse of $250, which has been contributed by the citizens of Mt Clemens as a reward

for having taught that bully a lesson. For the last six months he been abusing and browbeating

everybody in town,"

I thanked the gentlemen as best I knew how, but I told them that I could not accept the money. I

had about made up my mind to hurry East so as to make the Ryan match when I received a

telegram calling me to Chicago to fight a new terror that had shown up. The man they had dug

up to win that $50 was a big fellow called the "Michigan Giant." He was 6 feet 6 inches tall and

built in proportion.

"Why, I hate to hit this little follow," he roared, and then he looked at me as if to frighten me. As

he did I walloped him in the stomach and he came down to my size. With all the power in me

I swung my right on his jaw and he landed in the second row of the orchestra seats.

That night I heard that the Ryan match was getting under way and I took a fast train to Boston.

Everything was full of sunshine for me, and I was the happiest boy in the land when I left

the train and was in my old home again.

End

Part 9

In the beginning of this chapter, which will deal with the final signing of articles of agreement

for a fight with Paddy Ryan for the championship of the world, I cannot refrain from a

comparison between that and the proceedings over the arrangements for a fight between Jim

Jeffries and Jack Johnson.

I had been in Boston less than two hours when I was notified that arrangements had been made

for me to fight Ryan. It was on the fifth day of October, 1881. We agreed to fight for a purse of

$5000. Of that amount, each of us was to put up $2,500. The first $2,500 was put up on my

behalf, as a forfeit in Harry Hill's hands.

On Nov 9, a month later, we each had to put up an additional $1000, and the last deposit of

$1000 was put up on Dec 7, making the total $5000. Now, mind you, that is the amount we were

to fight for. There was nothing said about gate receipts, advertising privileges, or anything

of that kind.

Of course there were no moving pictures then, and that did not figure. It was generally

understood that if we made any money through the box office the winner was to take It all, but,

as I say, that side of the fight was inconsequential.

This Was Different

Can you imagine Jim Jeffries fighting a championship battle for a purse of $5000, all of which

was wagered money?. That meeting between the backers of Ryan and myself was held in the

open and within a day everybody in the country knew all the particulars. The final meeting

between the managers of Johnson and Jeffries, if you recall ,was held behind closed doors.

There was talk of a side bet, but the public did not see the money deposited.

As a matter of fact the question of the side bet was secondary. It was too small by comparison to

be worthy of consideration. They are to fight for a purse of $101,000! They are to get a

percentage of the moving pictures and get many weeks on the stage at an enormous salary! Can

you beat it?.

right here I want to ask a question or two and I am not trying to knock anybody either Big Tim

Sullivan, an honest man if one ever lived, is the stakeholder. They have to put the money in his

hands before they start. Of course they will have to borrow some of it.

Suppose that Tex Rickard and Jack Gleason fail to take in that $101,000 at the gate. How are

they going to make good ?. I do not mean to intimate that any of these fellows are not honest,

But I think they are putting their figures too high.

Having concluded all arrangements for the great fight with Ryan for the championship I selected

Pete McCoy and others for sparring partners and started on the long trip to New Orleans. It had

been agreed that we would fight in State where there would be no interference by the authorities.

The State chosen was Mississippi and the place was a little town called Mississippi City. New

Orleans was to be the centre of our business activities.

Training In Mississippi

After a series of exhibitions, in one of which Mike Donovan backed out of a challenge that he

had issued and refused to meet me, we finally arrived in New Orleans. I went to Bay St Louis

where I made my training quarters. Everything was moving smoothly and the whole country was

talking about the coming fight.

Ryan and his crowd came down a little later from his home in Troy, N Y and established quarters

at Mississippi City , the place where we were to fight. While in New Orleans the papers were full

of stories and interviews about the coming fight. Everything that either Ryan or myself said was

printed word for word and, of course, we had to be very careful.

One day I was invited to visit one of the newspaper offices and accepted. The reporter who

escorted me was a very nice young fellow, but he smoked those strong cigars that the people

down there are so fond of, and it almost stiffed me. I accepted the chair that he proffered.

"Now, Mr. Sullivan, have one of these cigars," he said politely.

"No siree," I replied with emphasis, and he looked surprised. "I know when I meet anything

stronger than I am and I cave. That cigar is too much for me."

The office force had a good laugh over this incident and the next morning the whole thing

appeared in the paper.

"By the way Mr. Sullivan," said the managing editor as he came over, "I have a job for you if

you care to take it. I fell for this for a minute and then he began to explain. "You see," he said,

"our fighting editor is laid up in the hospital and to do I will read you something " he then

showed me a letter, in which a mail said he was going to use the editor for a floor mop, because

the paper had said that when "this man's daughter was In Frisco her hair was so red she stopped a

Chinese funeral."

Said He'd Take the Job

The next letter he handed me was from a young dude or society man who wanted to fight a duel,

His complaint was that the paper had said, referring to him, “Leander and his pants were

both so tight that at the Rex ball he could neither stand up nor sit down " The third letter was

from a man who wanted to fight because the following appeared in the paper; “The Robinson

County whiskey sampler and Councilman from the 15th

Ward might as well learn now as later

that he cannot open a coal hole with a night key”.

“now you understand the nature of the job” said the editor. “and if you will take it I will give

you $100 a week and expenses. Is it a go?" "Put it there," I replied, offering hand. "If you will

hold that job open until I get through with this Ryan fight I will take up the work " I was on the

level with that too. I mention that just to show that newspapers were run differently in those

days to what they are now, and that even an editor had to be a fighter.

At Bay St Louis I took up my training work with a vim. I wanted to fight At 175 pounds, and

that made it necessary for me to take off about eight We trained somewhat like they do today

except that we did not do any of those wild stunts like climbing mountains , hunting bears

wrestling with cows and all that hot air stuff.

I would take a run of eight or 10 miles and then come back and have a rub down. After that I

would box a while with my sparring partner and, then take it easy for the rest of the day.

I did not drink a drop of anything but water during that training period. Running or walking is

the best thing in the world for increasing the wind or endurance powers, and nobody has even

been able to find a substitute for that kind of exercise.

While I was working away down there on the Gulf Coast the Boston papers were printing

columns about me, and for the first time correspondents were sent South by all the big papers of

the country.

Talent Was There

To give you an idea of how the country was worked up, I received a Boston paper down there

with the following story, in which it appears that a reporter had been making the rounds of

sporting men in Boston to see what interest was being taken in the fight.

“Has much talent left Boston to witness the fight” the reporter man queried. “You can bet there

has” said the tough “cove”. Why, all of our best is there, and the only reason we didn’t go

was because we bet all our "sugar" on Johnny.' "What good men are still in the city?"

" Well,' answered the young man. 'I think there is Tim McCarty, Jerry Murphy, "Fish" Kennedy,

Sammy Blake, Uncle Bill Busby, Marcellus Baker, Prof Bailey, Ned Kelly and a few other good

men left in this deserted village; but the pride of the town Is down there, mebbe at this very

minute on the battleground.”

"What will be the result should there be no fight — that is if the backers and trainers of one of

the men should object at the last moment.'"

" 'Well, then, there'll be blood on the moon if such a thing should happen there'd be the bloodiest

fight over heard of at a "mill" in this country.' "Upon what do you base these conclusions?"

" Why, when the Sullivan men left here they went with the idea that this fight must take place.

They won't back down, you bet; and If the Ryan men try any "shenanigans" there'll be pistols

out and blood will flow. You see, all the men are away down South a long ways from their

homes, and in a country where shoottin' irons are common instruments. They have a freer feelin',

you see than they would have North or even West.' "

end

Part10

On the morning of Jan 15, 1882 following appeared in the New Orleans Times-Democrat In a

column called "Letters from the People":

"To the Editor of the Times-Democrat:

"I see that a man signing himself 'Conge' suggests that Ryan and Sullivan

meet in the Fair Grounds. His ideas, are correct, and if his plans are

carried out you can immortalize your yourself by sending an invitation

to the Mississippi Legislature, and on their arrival they should be

presented with a pocket bible with the story of David and Goliath marked.

As insignificant as that might appear it raised one of the biggest disturbances among the

lawmakers that Mississippi and Louisiana had seen for years. To show how the Mississippi

Legislature came near availing themselves of this suggestion, a bill was introduced on Jan 17,

two day’s later, making it unlawful to hold a prize fight in Mississippi and fixing the penalty at a

fine of $1000 and five years in the penitentiary.

I had been training regularly for several weeks and knew nothing of this sudden turn of affairs

until a committee suddenly appeared at my quarters in Bat St Louis one morning with the doleful

news.

Ready for Special Train "Mr Sullivan," began the man, whom I knew as a square sport in New Orleans, "we are here to

take you away and you must get ready as soon as possible. We have engaged a special train and

it is at the disposal of yourself and Mr Ryan. We thought it advisable to slip you out of the State

of Mississippi before this bill became law. We want to do the square thing. We have promised

you an even break and an honest fight and you are going to get it”.

“There is nothing to it John” said Billy Madden, who stood at my elbow. “ I guess we will have

to light out”. It appeared that the news had reached New Orleans that morning by way of a

private telegram, and the sporting element of that grand old city was completely upset. Feeling

that their reputation for good fellowship was at stake they immediately held a council of war.

“It’s a sharp game on the part of some new legislator” said a man from Chicago ,” and I’ll give

$200 toward getting both men out of the State of Mississippi by means of a special train right

now” . “I’ll give another $100” cried another, “ and I another” chimed in a third. In a few

minutes the money was raised and in a few hours the committee had reached training camps.

To give the reader an insight into the character of Paddy Ryan – he was a noble fellow – I will

give a verbatim account of what happened when the committee of sportsmen reached his quarters

with the alarming news.

“that’s rough ain’t it” said Ryan after listening to the spokesman, and then turning to his trainer

said “ can I fight him tomorrow John” .” we can find a place right away and settle it before the

law goes into effect”. “ You certainly cannot” was the reply. “The day has been named and when

it comes I will have you there if we all have to go to the penitentiary. We will fight here in

Mississippi City”.

Later in the day a committee of citizens called on Ryan and told him there was no danger for a

while and they would give him ample warning. Nevertheless he decided to play it safe and took

the special train to New Orleans where he established quarters in the St James hotel.

Ryan Ready to Fight Then

When called upon by the reporters and fight managers Ryan said: "Just find a place where we

can fight, that is all I ask — a fair field and no favors, and don't you ignore the other side in the

matter. They must be satisfied, too."

"You have the naming of the place, Paddy." remarked Roche. "And I don't think they would

consult you in the matter.".

"O, well, Roche," observed the good natured Troy man. “Let’s be decent about it and have a

place that suits them as well as me.”

A short time afterward he said with a smile; “Sullivan says he will go to Cuba or Texas to fight.

Now don’t be so – well I’ll go anywhere in the world; it’s my last fight and I am anxious to get

out of the business, so the sooner the better.”

That shows the nature of the men I was to fight. How many fighters of today would show that

consideration to a man who was after his title? A week later somebody in the Legislature

succeeded in shelving the obnoxious law, and we were told that the fight would be held in

Mississippi City without interference.

1 shall never forget the day of Feb 7, 1882. We had arrived in Mississippi City ready for the

great fight. The grounds in front of the Barnes Hotel were thronged with thousands who had

come by special trains from New Orleans and other cities to witness the deciding of the

championship. The gathering, although animated, was of an ordily character, and one spectator

remarked; “A conference of clergymen could not have been more staid.”

The sets on the plaza of the hotel sold for high prices and many of them were occupied by ladies

in the old fashioned dress of that day.

Hawkers Sold The Colors

On every side there were hawkers selling the colors of the two men. The sale was lively and

everybody wore the colors of one or the other. It was the fashion those days when there was to be

an important meeting between prominent pugilists for them to issue colors. These colors were

highly prized by sporting men and in many homes of New York today there can be seen the

colors of Sayers, Harrington, Tom King and even your humble servant.

My colors on that occasion consisted of a white silk handkerchief with a green border. In the

opposite corners were embroidered Irish and American flags. In the center was an American

eagle. As an instance of the interest in such things I may remark that a facsimile of the colors

worn by me was taken to China, where the Chinese workers in silk reproduced them in elegant

style. They were subsequently brought to this country and presented to me.

There was considerable wait over the ring arrangements, and during that time I stood on the hotel

plaza looking out at the sea. The water was as smooth as a mill pond. Far out a white sail

gleamed in the bright sun and I could see the fishermen going out to their grounds. They

appeared to be the only persons in the world not interested in the fight, and I half wished that I

was with them and rid of all the worry. Suddenly I felt a touch on my elbow and looked around

half startled.

“what are you thinking of Mr. Sullivan” It was a newspaperman who had asked..

“I was thinking that I had never seen so beautiful a sea” I replied. “But I guess it’s time to quit

dreaming and think about fighting. Are they ready.”

In describing that incident the newspaperman told the rest of it like this. “Your ring is ready”

called Joe Goss just then, and the soft look faded away from the eye of the Boston boy and

against Sullivan the gladiator stood where one second before had stood Sullivan the

sentimentalist.

I turned and started down the steps – the steps that would lead me to the championship.

End.

Part 11

The ring in which I was to win the championship of the world was pitched on the green turf not

far from the main hotel in the little town of Mississippi City. That kind of a ring would appear

strange to the fighters of today who wear soft leather shoes and jump around on a canvas covered

floor. We wore shoes with sharp spikes in them very much like the running shoes used

by sprinters today.

After a short conference on the steps of the hotel it was decided that John Roche of New York

and Tom Kelley of St Louis were to be Ryan's seconds. Billy Madden and Joe Goss were to act

in a similar capacity for me. James Shannon of New York was umpire for Ryan and John Moran

of Cincinnati was selected as umpire for me.

There was some trouble in selecting a referee, the choice being between Mr .Alex Brewster and

Mr Hardy. Neither side would give in and, at the suggestion of Joe Goss, we compromised by

allowing both men to serve. As we walked to the ringside, there was considerable excitement

over a report that Gov Lowery of Mississippi had issued a proclamation calling upon the

citizens to prevent the fight. We were momentarily expecting a posse, but none appeared.

Ryan Got the Applause

I entered the ring at 11:40 o'clock and quietly sat down in the corner. There was considerable

applause, but it was like a soap bubble as compared with the outburst when Ryan appeared a half

hour later. As I sat there I was a very lonesome person. I could feel at heart that nine men out of

every ten at the ringside were hoping to see me licked. Ryan was unquestionably the favorite.

While we waited impatiently for the arrival of the champion there were several bets made, one of

$1000 to $800 in my favor. At 10 minutes after 12 Ryan could be seen making his way through

the crowd. Ten feet away from the ring he stopped and threw an old hat into the enclosed

square of turf. In the old days it was always customary for the fighters to throw something in the

ring before they entered.

In another minute Ryan had jumped over the ropes and stood in his corner while the crowd

roared with applause. He was clad in a suit of white drawers and undershirt, flesh colored

stockings and fighting shoes. Ryan appeared very pale and some of his friends throw an overcoat

over his shoulders. His good-natured smile seemed to have deserted him.

We lost little time in getting down to business. I always admired Ryan and I walked to the center

of the ring and offered him my hand. He took it cordially, and I knew that I was to fight a man

who was square and honest. We did a little preliminary sparring just to get warmed up. I had

been told That Ryan expected to outwrestle me and for that reason I kept away from him until I

could get in get in a timely wallop.

Knockdown in 30 Seconds

Ryan finally led out with a right that barely grazed my chest. I countered with my left and dealt

him a stinger on the face. He looked at me in surprise because he bad been led to believe

that I could not box.

While eyeing Ryan closely I suddenly made up my mind that the time to win the fight was right

at the start. Waiting for a good opportunity I suddenly lunged at the champion with all my

force. There was a rapid exchange of short arm jolts. When I saw the opportunity I let go my

right with all the force I had within me and it caught Ryan squarely on the jaw. The blow

almost lifted him from his feet and he hit the turf like a shot, face downward. That ended the

round, and I had scored the first knockdown in just 30 seconds.

After the fight Ryan said to Billy Madden:

"When that Sullivan boy struck me

the first time I thought that a telegraph

pole had been shoved against me endways,"

That first knockdown came pretty near ending the tight, for Ryan was all broke up and during the

rest of the fight be failed to show any speed. At the end of the first round I could have finished

Ryan, but my seconds warned me not to do so. I walked up and pushed the champion over. Joe

Goss warned me against hitting him hard, as there was a danger of killing him. For that reason .1

did not strike him in the stomach, although I had opportunity after opportunity to do so.

At the end of the ninth round Ryan was all in. He could not move, and it required the best care of

physicians to bring him around.

Was Declared the Champion

I was declared the champion of the world!. I was so jubilant over this great victory that I jumped

out of the ring and ran 100 yards to my dressing room. In an hour I was on the streets in my

regular dress and receiving the congratulations of friends.

More than $200,000 changed hands as a result of that fight. In addition to losing the money that

he had bet Ryan's pocket was picked of $300 while the doctors were trying to bring him around.

As an indication of how complete the public regarded my victory over Ryan I reprint the

following from a New Orleans paper of the date succeeding the fight.

''Mr Sullivan has probably put an end to heavyweight prize-lighting. It is altogether improbable

that for many years a man will be found who would dare face him in a prize ring. He cared

nothing for .Ryan's blows and his hitting is so tremendous that it seems to be beyond the power

of man to recover from the shock of one of his hands let out from the shoulder."

To prevent any possibility of arrest we hustled out of the State or Mississippi as fast as the train

could carry us. I reached my old quarters in the St James Hotel in New Orleans and found a

crowd of friends ready to give me a blowout.

Ryan was patched up by the doctors, and arrived at the hotel a short time after I did. We sent for

him to come into my room and join in the festivities. He was a good fellow and came right over.

"Well. I'm through," Ryan said to the crowd, "and I am glad of it. There are two others who will

be happier than I am when they find that I have quit the prize ring forever. They are my wife

and mother."

Knew "They Never Come Back"

Ryan knew that it was impossible for a fighter to "come back" and he quit, I did the same thing

after I fought Corbett. It is a pity that others did not follow the same tactics. What a glorious old

fighter Bob Fitzsimmons would have been to history if he had quit the ring after his first defeat

for the championship.

That night in the St .James Hotel the wine flowed freely. It was then that I saw the things of life

that money can buy. I realized what it was to be famous. I tackled John Barleycorn in a limited

go. Later he bested me, but that is another story.

While enjoying this little celebration after the victory I was told for the first time of a plot that

had been hatched against me before I went into the ring. A party of low-lived fellows had gone

to Billy Madden and had offered him $4000 — and they put the money in his hand — to give me

some kind of knockout drops that would put me out of condition. They also went to New

Orleans and offered a man $2,500 to put me out of the way.

Ryan did not know of this. No friend of his would do a thing like that. For fear of making me

nervous Madden did not tell me of the incident until after the fight. We did not remain long in

New Orleans, for I already saw the road to wealth and was anxious to be on my way.

On the evening of Feb 9 I started for Chicago with Billy Madden, Joe Goss, Pete McCoy and

Bob Farrell. I was already billed to appear in that city under the management of Parson Davies

at McCormick's Hall Feb 1. The journey from New Orleans to Chicago was an ovation all the

way. At every stop immense crowds surrounded our cars and clamored for my appearance.

I did not appear, however in our party was a well known sporting man whom we called "Big

Steve" He posed all the way as John L, Sullivan and would make a flowery speech at every stop.

In that way I gained the unwarranted reputation of being a great orator as well as a great fighter.

End

Part12

There has been so much talk and diversity of opinion as to whether I was ever the real champion

of the world that I feel it incumbent upon me to produce facts and figures to show that I really

earned that title. Frequently I see this question asked in the newspapers, and in many cases I see

that the sporting editors answer that I never was champion. To start with with, Dr Dudley A.

Sargent, in his "Life and Reminiscences of a Nineteenth Century Gladiator”' calls me the

champion of the world. England is part of the world, ergo according to Dr Sargent, who is an

authority, I was champion of England.

Let us begin at the start. Tom Figg was considered the first champion in England. He bloomed in

1719. The next champion of note was Tom Cribb, who received a championship belt that was not

transferable in 1819. The next champion was Tom Spring, who was cock of the walk in 1820.

Then comes Jim Ward who appeared five years later. In 1841 Caunt defeated Nick Ward for a

belt that was subscribed for. Four years later Bendigo beat Caunt and got the belt. In 1850 Perry,

the Tipton Slasher, after his draw with Paddock claimed the championship, but never defeated

the then champion bendigo. In 1853 Perry again claimed office because Harry Broome forfeited

a match with him. Four years later Tom Sayers beat Perry for a new belt and a $200 side bet.

Four years later Tom Bayers beat Perry for a new belt and $200 a side.

Good Luck Heel When Heenan and Sayers were in the ring an American put the heel of an old shoe in Heenan's

hand, saying' "This is the heel of Yankee Sullivan's shoe, Jack; he swore he never lost a fight

while it was in the ring. Leave it there and go in and lick England.

Although the heel did not prove strong enough to get for Heenan the English championship belt,

it must have discouraged Sayers, for he left the belt open for competition. This was the

time when Jem Mace won it conquering the giant, Sam Hurst, known as the “Staleybridge

Infant”

Tom Sayers and Heenan fought their memorable battle in I860. Chambers Encyclopedia, under

the head of boxing or pugilism, has this to say of the Heenan-Sayers fight: "The year 1860

however, witnessed a strange revival of the pugilistic sport on occasion of a fight between Tom

Sayers, the champion prizefighter of England, and John Heenan, the Benicea Boy, an American,

for a £200 a side, and the belt, a badge of honour won by the champion. The battle was elevated

to the dignity of a great international contest by sporting papers took place at Farnsboro, April

17, 1860. It lasted for more than two hours, in which time the American was beaten almost blind,

and the Englishman dreadfully bruised. The continuance of the battle was prevented by the

breaking in of the ring, caused by the interference of the police."

How He Figured It In 1861 Jem Mace beat Hurst, in 1863 Tom King beat Mace and claimed the belt, which he

subsequently gave up, declining again to meet the gypsy. Mace again claimed the belt. In 1860

Jem Mace and Joe Goss fought a draw for $1000 a side and the belt. In 1869 McCoole beat Tom

Allen In this country for the championship of the world. In 1872 Jem Mace drew with Joe

Coburn here for the championship of the world. In 1870 Jem Mace and Tom Allen fought for the

title and $5000 at Keanville, New Orleans. Mace won.

Tom Allen beat McCoole on Sept 23, 1873, at Chateau Island, near St Louis, and on Nov 18,

same year. Ben Hogan fought Tommy Allen for $2000 and the championship of the Pacific

coast. Allen was winning when a wrangle broke up the fight. On Sept 7, 1876 Joe Goss fought

Allen for $2000 and the championship of the world in Kentucky, Goss was declared the winner.

The later was brought over from England by Jem mace. On may 30,1880 Joe Goss fought Paddy

Ryan for $1000 and the championship at Collier Station W Va., and after one hour and twenty

seven minutes of hard fighting Ryan won.

In commenting on the fight the Kansas City Times said “Sullivan knocked Joe Goss out in four

and one half minutes on Feb 7,1880, while it took Ryan one hour and twenty seven minutes to

do the same thing to the foreign champion”

My victory over Slade of Australia ( the Maori) brought here by Jem Mace is a matter of history,

as is the slaughter of Charley Mitchell in Madison Square Gardens, when I begged Capt. Thorn

to let me get one more crack at him. This was when Charley’s seconds had propped him up

against the ropes after the police interfered during the third round. Turning to Mitchell Capt.

Thorn said “ Go to your dressing room. I stepped in to save Sullivan from killing you.”

Alf Greenfield was brought from England in 1884 to defeat me. He was sent over as Albion’s

champion. On Nov 17 that year in Madison Square Garden, I had Alf in a semi conscious state

on the ropes and all hands ( principals and seconds ) were arrested. Charley Johnson awarded the

decision to me.

Challenged The World

Greenfield again met me. This time In New England Institute, Boston, M. Keyes of San

Francisco refereed. This was on Jan 12, 1885. When Greenfield came back to life after the fourth

round and he was asked if I could hit hard, he turned to Jack Burke and said, "Sullivan could beat

you, Mitchell and myself in the same ring.”

I guess that came pretty near making me the champion of the world. As a further proof I would

like to reproduce the challenge that I issued after I had arrived in Boston, immediately

following my defeating Paddy Ryan for the championship:

"There has been so much newspaper talk from parties who claim that they are desirous of

meeting me in the ring that I am disgusted. Nevertheless, I am willing to fight any man in this

country in four weeks from signing articles for $5000 a side, or any man in the old country for

the same amount at two months from signing articles, I to use gloves, and he, if he pleases to

fight with bare knuckles, as I do not wish to put myself in a position amenable to the law.

My money is always ready, so I want these fellows to put up or shut up.

John L Sullivan

Boston, March 23 1882

End

Part 13

On the celebrated tour of the country which began with my trip from New Orleans It has been

estimated by my companions that I spent more than $10,000. I probably did. In later years I

spent 10 times that much. I want my readers to know, right here, however, that all of that money

did not go for wines and liquors. I gave as much for schools and churches, in comparison to what

I earned, as almost any man in the country!

Having been frequent contributor to so called “good causes” I was very much interested

Some time ago at reading the position a certain prominent preacher took in reference to John D.

Rockefeller's princely gift to the church.

He said that the money was tainted and advised against its acceptance. This talk about "tainted

money is all rot. In all my years, of reckless spending I never heard of anybody refusing to take

the money of John L,Sullivan. Of all the money I gave for churches, schools and general

charities I cannot remember a single cent being returned because if was-earned by biffing some

luckless fellow on the jaw.

There is no such thing as "tainted money” and I have handled about every kind there is.

I do not think that Rockefeller's money should be refused . It will buy just as many meal tickets

for the poor missionaries as if it had been handed out by someone who never even smelled

kerosene. Why, it's a chance for the church to reform the coin, as it were, just like picking a

fellow out of the gutter and making a man out of him. Any money that is given for a good

purpose is good money, no matter where it comes from.

I shall never forget one time I stopped off at Atlanta to make a Railway connection. While

standing in the station I was introduced to a preacher. I shook hands with him cordially and he

seemed to be pleased at my deference for his profession.

"Why. Mr Sullivan." he said, "I expected to find you a man with a harsh voice, a vicious

looking face, and I could almost imagine that you wore horns. Why you appear to be as

gentle as a schoolteacher.". "Thank you." I replied. "But you know you remind me of an

incident told about the first meeting of Finley Peter Dunne, the author of "Mr Dooley,”

and Richard Harding Davis.

"Why Mr Dunne,' observed , Mr Davis, “I expected to find you a red faced Irishman with a

rim of red whiskers around your chin and a plug hat set on the back of your head.” "Yes,” replied Mr Dunne, with a smile. “And when I met you I expected to find a man with a cute

little society face and wearing a pink silk shirt waist. "Davis declared, that the drinks were on

him and they went to the nearest place to have the score, settled.

The Georgia preacher laughed heartily at this and said that, he hoped to have the opportunity of

talking to me at length at some future time. Later I sent him $25 for the church, and he did not

tell me the money was tainted either. That preacher was of the broad minded kind that do world

good as they go through it.

Advice to Preachers In my opinion the preachers could do a lot toward making men better if they would overlook,

the little faults of other men and get right down to the man's real heart. Talk to him about the

things that he is interested in and you can soon find out his real way of thinking. If the preachers

would do that they would get next to a lot of fellows who really would like to be good if they

were directed in the proper channels.

The theory that the man who is good is awfully lonesome is rot, I tell you. A man have just as

much "fun” as they call it if he is sober and decent. Don't tell me that because a man wants to do

right and be clean and manly, people are going to shun him off to lonesomeness all by himself. I

won't stand for that. I have been around with some mighty bad gangs in my time, and often too

when I wasn't drinking a drop. Yet I have always found that they respected me just as much, just

as they would respect any other man who didn't see things exactly as they did. Be good and

you will be respected; that's sure, which is some recompense for the mythical lonesomeness that

many people seem to dread when they start a personal reform.

Part 14

During my series of picnics following the defeat of champion Ryan I knocked out more than 100

fighters, and sporting men throughout the country were scouring the world for somebody to stop

me, None of them ever succeeded. At this time the country was wild over prize fighting, and it

was no trouble to pack the houses wherever I appeared. .

While on this tour of the United States Richard K. Fox, editor of the Police Gazette, proved to

be the best friend I ever had, although he did not know it. He had agents all over the World

looking for somebody to lick me. He always backed my opponents in big fights. By his untiring

efforts to get me whipped he kept me in the limelight and furnished the opportunity in the shape

of easy fights for me to make a lot of money.

The only man who succeeded in staying the four rounds was Joe Collins, better known as "Tug

Wilson," an English fighter, for whom to this day I have a supreme disgust, He had been

imported from England to "pulverize" me. They found him in Leicester.

The match took place in Madison Square Garden, New York on the evening of July 17, 1882.

"Tug's" ability to stay the four rounds was due largely to a bad decision of the referee and the

fact that he managed to crawl on the floor and hug until the round would end. It was evident to

the 12,000 people who witnessed the mill (which could hardly be called a fight) that Wilson was

whipped, but he was on his feet when the time was called at the end of the fourth round, and he

went back to England with $4000 in his jeans.

Wilson was badly pummeled, but, as Dick Malloy, the well known New York politician said,

"you know, a lot of court plaster can be bought for $1000."

New Idea In Fighting

That encounter with Wilson opened the eyes of the public to a new idea in fighting that is

prevalent today. Up to that time the sporting men had been accustomed to seeing men stand up

and fight. It had never occurred to them that a fellow could deliberately "dog" it and get away for

four rounds. Wilson went into the ring with no intention of fighting. We had hardly put up our

hands when he dropped to the floor without having been struck. He stayed there for the count of

nine, and when I went after him he hugged me around the waist until he could ease himself to the

floor. There was no chance to put him out because he wouldn’t stand up. I had never fought a

man like that before, and it riled me to think that a follow wouldn't stand up and be game.

The crowd hissed repeatedly, but that had no effect on the Englishman. He was bent on getting

away with the $4000, and he cared nothing for having a reputation as a clean fighter. Up to

that time the fighters had a sense of honor among themselves, and they had rather be defeated

than to be considered what we now call "yellow.

That was not true of Wilson, however, and this artful dodger gave the public a new idea in prize

ring tactics. Since that time many fighters have employed that means of continuing a fight. That

is one reason why so many of the fights of today are unsatisfactory at six or eight rounds. By

dropping to the floor and holding on most any fighter can stick out six rounds.

In the fourth round Wilson got in the way of one of my swings and was nearly out, but the bell

saved him. I say bell , as a matter of fact we had no bells in those days. The timekeeper would

simply call out “time”. The bells came later.

He Was Hopping Mad When the fight was over and Wilson had been handed his $4000 for staying four rounds, I was

hopping mad. My managers were equally angry. Richard K, Fox and others were at the ringside,

and right there and then we made arrangements for another fight between us. Fox put up a

forfeit of $500.

The second match was stopped by the authorities, and the chance to lick that fellow was gone.

Subsequently he agreed to a match with Jimmy Elliott, with a forfeit of $500 a side, the fight to

be under London Prize Ring Rules. But Tug Wilson had no intention of fighting again, and he

slipped off to London. Fox forfeited the stake money and that was the end of Wilson’s career in

America.

While I was having this "series of picnics" don't imagine for a minute that I was not trying to

learn something. No man ever got too old to learn and to this day I am finding things out that are

new to me. That fight with Tug Wilson gave me an idea. I had never seen a man who would

refuse to stand up and fight before. I therefore decided that the only way to get one of these

fellows was to land on him when he put up his hands and take no chances of his crawling about

the floor.

Difficult Feat

While a fighter might be able to whip an antagonist with ease in 10 rounds, he will find it very

difficult to get a man in four rounds if the opponent resorts to running tactics. Under the London

prize ring rules a man could not run so easily, as he was compelled to wear shoes studded with

one-inch spikes. That was intended as foothold in the turf, so that he could put force behind

his blows. No man can hit hard unless he has his feet securely planted. He must put the force of

the body into the blows to make them effective.

While watching a preliminary fight between two lightweights one day I noticed one of them

make a feint and then ram his fist into his opponent's stomach. Up to that time it was customary

for fighters to stand with their hands stuck out on a level with their faces That was before the day

of the crouch. Seeing what a disadvantage a fighter was at when he held his hands high, I

decided to lower mine and keep them on a level with the stomach, as the fighters do today.

End

Part 15

Fighting has lost much of its element of romance and adventure. In this day and time it has

become a regular business. The fighter, arranges his affairs now just as a banker would keep tab

on the books of his institution. In the olden days there was a fascination about the fight game that

does not exist today.

The fighters were more of the people then and decidedly more democratic when it came to

mingling with their admirers. They went into the ring ready to meet any strange kind of

adventure, and they relished the uncertainty of the life. They were always ready to take a chance.

There is a zest in preparing for a fight when the man getting ready has no idea who is to be his

opponent, it is a dash of adventure that appeals to everyone. Today the fighters know

whom they are to meet months and months ahead, and there is no such things as challenges to all

comers. That has robbed the game of much of its romantic Interest.

It is the same feeling as that, which comes over an old adventurous sailor when he sees that the

days of sailing ships are numbered that that what used to be a chance for thrilling and dangerous

experiences has been supplanted by these big floating hotels.

The romance of the sea has gone and the romance of fistiana has gone with it. The old

adventurers have been supplanted by men who think of nothing but business. Everything now is

commercialism. Money is champion.

Many Adventures On my trip with that variety show, when I was meeting all comers, I had more adventure in a

week than the fighters of today have during their entire career.

At Fort Wayne, Ind, we ran into a hubbub of excitement. Half the town was gathered at the train

to see us enter. I knew that something was doing somewhere, but until I reached the theatre I

could not locate the cause of the intense excitement.

It had been rumored that Shang ( Shane) Donahue, “The tripper of Connellsville “ would face

me and attempt to win the$500 which was the sum offered at the time for standing out the four

rounds. The crowd were greatly disappointed when he did not appear, but they soon got

satisfaction.

As Madden and I came on the stage there was a great commotion in the audience near the

entrance. A tall muscular fellow had forced his way past the doorkeeper, insisting that he would

meet Sullivan and that he wanted that $500.

He weighed over 200 pounds and looked equal to the task of tackling anybody."I'll box this

world beater!" shouted the unknown, as he pushed his way through the crowd. His appearance

created a great sensation.

"Here is a customer for your champion!”' shouted one of the spectators

"Mr Sullivan will box anybody," said Billy Madden. And then to the stranger:

"Sullivan will box you sir, if you will come up and get ready, and if you stand up before him

for four three minute rounds, here is $500” brandishing five $100 bills in crisp notes.

"I'll take It. anyhow," said the unknown. "I threw over Farmer Babcock's steer when they

wanted to shoot it. I lifted over 800 pounds, and there is no fighter can whip me in four

rounds, especially with boxing gloves.”

Giant's First Fight

"Did you ever fight anybody.'" Inquired Madden. "Well," replied the new would be champion,

"I never fit 'cording to rules I was going to fight Joe Coburn once, but I left the town afore he

arrived. Tom Allen and I was going to have it up in Cleveland once, but I did not stop over

night and we never met .I intended to tight Paddy Ryan when he was in Cleveland, but it was

not Ryan's fault the fight did not take place”.

"I tell yer what I did though. I lifted the whole double corner of a stake , and ridered fence one

day when Josh Myer's colt's leg got fast, and when Dave Gould was going to kill his bull

and they could not corner it, that fist (showing Madden" a bunch of fives that would not have

disgraced Tom Spring) knocked him stone dead."

Madden. Bob Farrell and Pete McCoy smiled in wonder. "Well," said Madden, "Mr Sullivan

has been looking for a pugilist like you for some time, but he's never yet found one”.

"I am the man, then," said the unknown, bracing up. "Bring on your man. I have read how

this yer Sullivan raised a hen coop on Paddy Ryan's neck , and I often thought how I would

have liked to be Tom Wilson and to have received that hay cart full of silver dollars for letting

him pound me."

"Well, you are satisfied to meet the champion, are you?" said Madden.

"Well, you see, I've been slinging a sledge hammer all day bouncing it against an anvil, and I

should like to box him without, any gloves, for I am not used to wearing them mufflers but I

will do it anyway."

"Won't you think you had better have a doctor or a surgeon brought in?" said Bob Farrell.

Jollied Him Along

"I think if the gentleman is going to meet Sullivan, he had better send his measure for a

coffin," suggested Pete McCoy. Madden then escorted the rustic giant to the dressing room and

he stripped. Madden looked in amazement when he saw the muscles and the great physical

development of the Indiana giant, and running up to Bob Farrell and Pete McCoy said, with a

wink:

"Why, this fellow will murder Sullivan." Then, turning to McCoy, he said in a stage whisper, "I

guess we had better postpone this meeting." We used to pull that kind of stuff right along to get

the crowd worked up.

In an instant the burly blacksmith was alert. "Now. sir." said he, "I am going to whip this

champion. I want that $500 to buy wrought Iron when I go to Pittsburg and I'm bound to have

it." "All right," said Madden. "Our man is ready."

In a few minutes the ambitious pugilist was prepared. He stripped well, displaying well formed

limbs and well developed chest. As soon as the manager announced that Sullivan's challenge

had been accepted and that the Great Unknown was to meet him the statement was greeted with

loud cheers. I stepped onto the stage and was followed a few seconds later by my opponent.

“He is quite a big fellow Billy” I said to madden. “But I’ll double him up with a couple of

punches if I am not mistaken”.

The unknown eyed me eagerly, but did not appear at all nervous. When all was ready I stepped

up to the center of the ring and the Unknown's friends told him to do the same. We shook hands

and the next instant there was a great slugging match.

Knockout in the Second

The unknown was devoid of science, but he let go his right, and left at random, sometimes

landing on my body or face, but more frequently missing or falling short. Intense excitement

prevailed as I began to bore in and deliver some crushing blows on the unknown's jaw, I was

astonished to find that he did not flinch.

He swallowed the medicine good humouredly. All of a sudden the giant made a desperate effort

to plant his left on my nose but luckily I blocked it, and quickly crossing him. I clipped one on

his jaw and the unknown fell all of a heap into the corner. He gamely came again and received

another dose and was fought down. Time was called and both pugilists were loudly cheered.

When time was called for the second round I got to work in earnest. I banged the unknown a

terrific one with my right in the neck. He rushed into clinch, but before he could do so I jumped

back and then, feinting with my left, gave the giant yahoo a swinging blow with the right, which

landed on his left ear with tremendous force,

The unknown reeled and fell senseless on the stage. Time was called, but the countryman was

still asleep. When it was announced that the unknown could not fight any longer I was greeted

with loud cheers.

Stockwell, which was the unknown's name, did not know whether he was asleep or awake when

he came to and wanted to know if he fell off a barn. “ I was never cut out for a prize fighter,"

he said, "and now I'm glad that when I went to Cleveland to meet Paddy Ryan the Irishman

was not there."

End

Part 16

Since the inception of prize fighting as a sport there seems to have been An implication that no

man could be a fighter and still be a man of honor and a gentleman.

In many quarters the idea still exists that fighters must be vicious or criminals. I have never

believed in that. I’ve always believed that a man can be a fighter and still be a gentleman. It is

just as much chance for a man for a man to make a start in life through the prize ring as through a

bank or a lawyer. As a rule you will find the fighter as honorable and as straightforward as the

employees of a bank.

In my days I have reckoned among my friends some of the most prominent men in the world.

Among them were Roscoe Conklin, the American statesman, Theodore Roosevelt , Joseph

Cannon, Speaker of the House of Representatives; John O’Reilly, the famous Irish patriot, and

scores of others.

I might be surprising for you to know that Mr. O’Reilly wrote for me the speech that I was to

make in accepting the belt given to me as a mark of esteem by the citizens of Boston. The

unfortunate part of it though is , to my embarrassment, I forgot the speech Mr. O’Reilly wrote

and I had to deliver one of my own. He said by the way that it was just as good as any he could

have written.

Speaker Cannon

Several years ago I was in Portland and at the same hotel was Speaker Cannon. One of the

Congressmen who knew me saw me in the lobby and called over to introduce me to Speaker

Cannon. “I’m awful glad to meet you” I said “ I have been reading about you for a matter of

years. I always liked you stuff too.”

“Well you’ve got nothing on me” said Speaker cannon. “I have been reading about you a lot

longer than you’ve been reading about me, and might also add that I am equally well pleased

with your stuff.”

We had a pleasant chat for an hour and Speaker cannon invited me to call on him when I went to

Washington. He told me that he likes a good prize fight and that if he had the opportunity he

would see more of them.

I started out to tell you about Roscoe Conkling however. He was a great man, of those days,

and when I was meeting all comers he always appeared if I fought anywhere near Washington.

Conkling was what is now called a “fight fan”. He always had an idea that he ought to have

been a fighter. He was a good boxer too. One of Mr. Conkling’s closest friends Chandler and

they frequently donned the gloves. I have to tell you a story about Conkling’s experience as a

boxer. He used to tell it to me every time we met.

When Conkling and Chandler were members of the United States Senate they, engaged in a lot

of sparring ring matches with each other. It so happened that at one of these meetings the great

Conkling sent the statesman to the mat in such a way that he was almost out. Chandler ruminated

long and deeply over his humiliation and studied a to how he should have revenge. Finally he hit

it.

In due course of time Conkling was invited to a private tea, nobody being present save one the

latter's acquaintances, a Mr Elmer. After the tea and muffins were disposed of and the cigar’s

were lighted, Conkling began bantering his host about his discomfiture, and finally proffered him

satisfaction with the gloves. Chandler had a lame wrist and declined; but seeing that his guest

had been anticipating some fun and was disappointed, suggested that his friend Elmer would

put on the gloves. Elmer was a little shy about it, but Conkling promised not to hurt him and

the two men were soon facing each other on the dinning room floor .

In a flash Conkling Was bowled over and it was done so "slick" that Chandler insisted that his

colleague must have slipped, but the Senator had scarcely faced his adversary the second

time before he was sent spinning into a corner.

"Never mind about hurting, go in Conk!" yelled Chandler and the New Yorker, a little flushed,

went at it again. Then he got a pounder that laid him in a confused mass among a pile of chairs,

and the fun was over. "You should have put me on my guard, but it's all right, and how much

did you give him?" was Conkling's parting salutation to his host, who was shaking the whole

block with his laughter.

The secret was that Chandler had sent to New York for one of the boys, and the Michigan

"constituent" was one of the most noted sluggers in the country.

O'Reilly was a "Fan

John Boyle O'Reilly, the great Irish patriot and poet, was also a "fight fan." He studied the

game thoroughly, and it might be interesting here to reproduce an article prepared by him on the

subject of prize fighting, and especially as it has an important bearing on the style that I used at

that time. Many have said that I never was a good boxer, but that I was primarily a slugger. Here

is what the illustrious O'Reilly had to say on the subject:

"The superiority of Sullivan lies in his extraordinary nervous force and his altogether

incomparable skill as a boxer. "The chief reason why boxing has fallen into disrepute is the

English practice of prize fighting with bare hands, and under improper rules: "The American

champion, Sullivan, has done more than attempt to defeat all pugilists who came before him; he

has made a manly and most creditable effort to establish, the practice not only of sparring, but of

fighting with large gloves. The adoption of gloves for all contests will do more to preserve the

practice of boxing than any other conceivable means. It will give pugilism new life, not only as a

professional boxer's art, but as a general exercise."

End

Part 17

The first fighter to arrive in this country from England who was a truly clever boxer 'was Charlie

Mitchell. By "clever boxer" I mean a man who was fast on his feet and knew how to handle

his fists with-great rapidity. To many of our old-school fighters this man Mitchell was a marvel.

He fooled several of them by his quick shifts and won many fights without getting over a

heavy punch. Some maintain that he never had a punch. I was sitting at the ringside one night

when he was fighting Cleary, and Dick Malloy tells me that I turned to him and said. “That’s a

job for me.”

Mitchell won his first fights by shiftiness and because many of the old timers who met him had a

bad habit of holding their hands very high. He would feint so as to make them guard their heads

and then he would nail them in the stomach. Under the management of Jim Wakeley of New

York I made arrangements to meet Mitchell at Madison square Gardens, May 14, 1883, in a

three round bout. Mitchell, you understand, had been imported from England especially to

"knock out the Boston giant.”

Knocked Down for First Time In that fight I was knocked down for the first time in my life! As that knockdown brought out

columns of comment in the papers throughout the country I think it would be an excellent idea to

explain it right here. As I was turning away from him I decided to step to one side. As I did so

one of my feet crossed over the other one, and while I was in that position Mitchell 'struck, me

and I fell. It was as easy as knocking over a chair.

A noted sporting man was twitting me about this one day in the Palmer House in Chicago. I

explained it several times, but the gentleman laughed at me, and my anger was aroused.

"I'll tell you what I'll do," I said to the man. "I will bet you $1000 that I can stand in my usual

position in the ring with my hands tied behind me and let Mitchell hit me 12 times without

knocking me out of my position."

Although the gentleman did not believe I could do this, he was afraid to bet. I would have put up

the money at least. I believe it would have been impossible for Mitchell to have knocked me

down by hitting me a clean blow when I had my feet braced. When I fell to the floor in that

round and the crowd began to cheer, I was decidedly worked up and went at him like a bull at a

red flag. In the third I had him on the ropes helpless at my mercy.

Police Stopped It

Inspector Thorne and Capt Williams, who afterward became an inspector, jumped into the ring

and stopped the proceedings. "Let me have one more crack at him," I begged of the captain.

"John, do you want to kill him?" he replied. "No," added Inspector Thorne, "I am not going to

give you a chance to commit murder." When Mitchell recovered he made all kinds of bluffs and

began to bluster around the ring. "You had no business interfering," he said to the police. I was

all right." "You go to your dressing room”, said the captain. "You are a lucky individual that

I stepped in and prevented Sullivan from killing you."

That fight with Mitchell was the biggest event of its kind that had ever been held in New York.

The doorkeepers had an awful night of it. For blocks around the people jammed and bolstered

one another along as though their hopes of happiness depended on an early glance of these two

"fist slingers."

At 8:20 the exhibition began. Madison Square Garden was then a sight. There was no semblance

of a seat, of a bench or of a box, but every stretch of flooring and every foot of board presented

a continuous moving sea of human heads.

Noted Men at Ringside Just beside the platform sat. Ex-United States Senator Roscoe Conkling. At the end of the

reporter's table was Mr. Charles A. Dana. Mr Lawrence Jerome and a cluster of clubmen were

beyond the platform, while fistiana was represented by her other subjects in swarms. "That fight

was a good one," said Billy Edwards after the battle was over. ' "Only one thing can be said

about it. Mitchell is a very good man, but he met another who is his superior all the way

round."

''The contest," said Jim Cusick, "only proves the old saying that a good little man cannot whip

a good big man."

Following my victory over Mitchell the crowd of fellows who were always hunting for

somebody to lick me went all the way to New Zealand to find a champion. Jem Mace, the one-

time famous fighter, was sent to find him. The man's name was Slade, but he was generally

known as "Mace's Maori." Jem Mace spent a long time training this man Slade and they figured

that he was just about right to win the championship when they landed in Frisco in December,

1882. The papers were filled with talk about this new man who was coming for the express

purpose of "winning the championship from the Boston giant."

"Maori" a Big Fellow Mace and his protégé finally arrived in New York and I had a chance to look "the Maori" over.

He was certainly a strapping young fellow. He was over 6 feet tall and built in proportion.

He was a larger man than I. The fight was finally arranged for Aug 6, 1883, which gave the

importation from the Antipodes six months in which to get ready. We fought at Madison

Square Garden and the crowd was larger, if that be possible, than one that witnessed the fights

with Charley Mitchell and "Tug" Wilson.

Richard K. Fox put up the money to get Slade here, I was told, and he was instrumental in having

Jem Mace train him. They were determined to have me defeated, but the public knows how

well they succeeded.

The announcer that night introduced the combatants and the event as follows:

"This is to be a combat in the latter day pugilistic fashion between John L. Sullivan and the

importation from far distant New Zealand, Herbert A. Slade. a Maori half-breed." We had not

been in the ring 10 seconds when I aimed one straight at Slade's nose and it landed. I followed

it with another on the neck and the Maori fell back into his corner.

For the rest of the round I kept at him, and I could see that the New Zealander was out of wind.

In the third round I knocked Slade down repeatedly, and the last time he appeared so dazed and

bewildered that the police jumped in and stopped the fight. The New Zealander appeared

quite willing that such a course be adopted. He went over and took off his gloves and I shook

hands with him.

End

Part 18

What is generally known as the greatest "knockout tour" in the history "of pugilism began on

Sept 27, 1883, following my victory over Slade, the halfbreed Maori from New Zealand. On

that spectacular tour, which was arranged by Al Smith, one of the squarest sporting men that the

world ever knew, I fought in 154 cities throughout the United States and British Columbia.

I knocked out 160 men. I have their names at hand, but for lack of space will omit them here. Mr

Smith offered on my behalf the sum of $1000 for any man that would stand before me for four

rounds.

Nobody ever won it.

That tour netted us the immense sum of $180,000. Unlike the champions of today I barred

nobody, but issued a sweeping challenge that could be accepted by any man who felt so

disposed. I have always believed that what popularity I have today is due to that triumphal tour.

My company was made up of Herbert Slade, the Maori, Steve Taylor, Pete McCoy and Mike

Gillespie . The occasion often arose when some fellow wanted to fight me, but was lacking in

physical build. If he would consent I would let him fight McCoy or one of the smaller men of my

party first.

If he succeeded in making a showing I would give him a chance. I did not wish to kill anybody,

and took every precaution to prevent such an unfortunate accident.

Challenged By Mace

I was frequently challenged by Jem Mace, the one time great fighter, but all of his propositions

were side-tracked for reasons that I will explain. I will do so in the words of Al Smith. The

following statement by Smith will throw considerable light on the early methods of faking fights

so as to fool the public.

We were in Cincinnati when a reporter came to Mr. Smith and asked why he had not accepted

the challenge of Mace, which looked very good on paper.

“here is the truth of the matter” said Mr. smith. “When Mace was here before I was his firm fast

friend, and was his umpire when he face Coburn in Canada. Until I saw Sullivan I thought he

was the best man in the world. When mace first talked of meeting Sullivan, which was before

the Maori went against him, he came to me and said;

I want to meet this young fellow, Sullivan, but I don’t want to be knocked out. It would break my

heart if I was. Now, I want you to fix it up so I won’t.”

I told him it was no use to talk to Sullivan on this subject, but he urged me saying;

“Won’t you see him and tell him that after four rounds are over I will get up and say he is the

best man I ever met and the coming champion.”

I replied “Jem, why not go against him on the dead square ?, we can pack Madison Square

Garden at $2 a ticket for common seats. It will hold $20,000 and suppose you do get knocked

out, we will split the receipts in two and you will have $10,000 for the trouble.”

"He asked me to give him until next day to think it over, and he did so. The next night he met me

and urged me to see Sullivan about his proposition, as it would break his heart to be knocked out.

To oblige him, I went to Boston, where Sullivan was training for his fight with the Maori, and

delivered Mace's message, saying as I did so:

“Now, do as you please about it.” " There is only one thing I will do about it,” answered

Sullivan, “and that is I will do my best; and let him do the same. All I have ever made has been

by doing this, and I won't quit to oblige Mr. Mace.”

"When asked if he would meet Sullivan then, he said: 'Not for the bloody Bank of England."

More Challenges Came

After Sullivan beat the Maori, Mace resumed his challenges. One day I met him and said: “Jem,

you had better accept our proposition. You are getting to be an old man, and in a year or two

no one will believe that you will have better make this $10,000 while you-can.

He refused again to meet Sullivan on the square, saying that he was the wonder of the world and

it would break his heart to be knocked out by him When he issued the challenge to meet

Sullivan In three matches, he said to " 'Don't mind what I say or do; I have to make some money,

and this is the best way to do it.”

"John would be only too happy to meet him with the gloves, but it would have to be on the

square." I never had any objection to meeting with gloves any strong, healthy young men who

wanted to contest for boxing honors, for I appreciated their position as one in which I found

myself on starting out. I knew full well that reputation does not make the man.

There is another side to this idea however, that is at times humorous, shall never forget the time I

arrived at Davenport, la, and found a giant blacksmith named Mike Sheehan waiting to annihilate

me. He was noted as "the strongest man in town”. Just before the exhibition at the theatre his

wife called on me at the hotel and with tears in her eves begged of me not to meet her husband.

She said she was the mother of five children and it was on their account that she did not want the

fight to come off.

“Well isn’t your husband a great fighter ?” I asked.

“O, yes indeed” she said. “He can whip anybody”.

“Then why is it you do not wish me to meet him?" I asked in surprise. .

"Why," she said, as if astonished at my question. "Why, Mr .Sullivan, I am afraid he will kill

you, and I do not want my children to grow up and know their father was a murderer."' This was

a new one on me.

That night I put the blacksmith out in two rounds. He was intensely game and wanted to come

back, but he couldn’t. I made him a present of $100. I believe that if he had been trained he

would have been a good fighter.

How a "K. O." Feels

"What are the sensations of a man being knocked out?" That is a question that has been

asked me since I first entered the prize ring. Just why this question was always directed at me I

have always failed to understand. I was never knocked out in my life. In my fight with James

Corbett I was not knocked out. I knew everything that was going on, but the machinery within

me refused to respond to my call, and I could not rise from my knees.

I have taken occasion to give this subject considerable study, however, and I will undertake to

answer the question as best I can. Notwithstanding the various opinions to the contrary, I still

believe that the most vulnerable part of a man's body is the point of the jaw. A hard blow on

the point of the jaw will render a man unconscious, and at the same time will not effectually

weaken him otherwise, I have consulted many physicians on this subject, and they tell me that

the point of the jaw is connected with the spinal column, and the effect of a heavy blow at that

point is to temporarily paralyze the brain.

The sensation, as it has been described to me by fighters whom I have knocked out, is the same

as that felt by a person who has been under the influence of ether and is coming out of it. The

man's mind, they tell me, seems confused, sick and giddy. He has no real feeling of pain, but

simply a sense of numbness or deadness which renders him non compos mentis for the

time being.

To verify that I can mention several instances where men have regained consciousness after

being knocked out, and, instead of complaining of pain, asked various questions showing an

absolute, lack of acquaintance with their surroundings. For instance, one fellow at Nashville,

Tenn, that I knocked out, came to in about 20 minutes. The first thing he asked me was:

“Did I win?"

Another man that I knocked out in California came to me and asked

When do I go on?"

Booze Hardest Hitter

The after effect of a man being knocked out is not at all serious. It leaves no mark or lasting

damage. There is another knockout, however, that puts a man out for good, and right here is

about as good a place to discuss it as any other. The real knockout punch is carried by old King

Booze, and nobody who ever went against him ever recovered enough to be a good fighter.

A great many persons have said that I should be an authority on what is commonly called the

curse of liquor. I am. I make the statement openly, though I am ashamed of it. But I am going to

be straightforward. I hope, and in making this acknowledgment of a fitful past, I want to put

myself on an equal footing with some of the men who may heed my talk and certainly need

something of the kind. I fought the booze, but I wasn't the man with the punch. No man carries a

swing or a hook or a cross or an uppercut that can make an impression on Old Red Eye.

They used to say that I won most of my fights by scaring my men into a fit before getting into

the ring with them. But Old Red Eye never gave me a serious thought when I threw down the

gantlet to him. I was just as easy as any of the rest of them. You have heard before, I guess, that

no man can beat the booze game. It's a fact, established as early as the hills from which the booze

is supposed to come. Nobody can beat it by fighting it.

Perhaps in my time, and I do not mean to say this boastfully, I have turned more young men

into a straighter path than any other man outside of those occupying temperance lecture

platforms. You ask me how I do it. Simply by being forceful. I used the argument that if a

champion of the world, and the man who really discovered the original punch, couldn't negotiate

a victory over King Cornjuice , what chance had anybody else? Pretty strong talk that, but

absolutely right.

End

Part 19

I have found since the beginning of my career as a fighter that the big men of the country are

always interested in fistic sport. By "big men" I mean men who have amounted to something in

the affairs of the Nation. Ex-President Roosevelt is a great fight fan and half of the members of

the United States Congress are close readers of the events of the ring. If a man has red blood in

his veins there is something about a fair fist fight that appeals to him.

A noted preacher of Boston once told me that if he could make his congregation understand

things as he did he would attend all the fights. I have counted among my friends some of the

most prominent men in the world, and they can tell better reminiscences of my career than I can

myself.

I suppose a great many of you know Bill Sterrett of Washington and sometimes Texas. If you

don't, you ought to. Aside from being a man of considerable influence in politics, he is one of the

best political correspondents for the newspapers in this country. Col Sterrett was always

interested in prize fighting and at one time, when I appeared in Texas on my famous tour,

he had discovered a champion whom he expected to take my title. Perhaps I had better let Col

Sterrett tell the story himself, which he often does at public gatherings.

How He "Whipped" Sullivan

"When I see a plain, ordinary Senator or Representative, go on the rampage trying to do up the

press gallery," said Col Sterrett, "I am reminded of the manner in which the champion of mine in

Texas whipped John L. Sullivan. His name was Marks – Al Marks – a cotton screwer in

Galveston, and one of the strongest and gamest fighters in Texas. Sullivan came down there on a

tour and offered $500 to any man who would stand in front of the gloves three ( four ) rounds.

Marks accepted the challenge. After the contest I asked marks for particulars, and this is the way

he told the story.

“As I walked to the stage people cheered me, and I felt pretty proud. I was going to put my hands

up against the great Sullivan. I felt sure I could whip him, but when I got into the ring John L.

stood in front of me. He appeared to be a heap bigger than he looked from my seat. I determined

to astonish him right from the jump. So after we had shaken hands I let him have a good one

right in the jaw. Sullivan looked at me in a surprised sort of way.

I said to myself: "This man has his match at last, and he knows it. He is afraid of me. So I gave

him some more knocks. John L. looked at me almost appealingly. He tried to stop my blows, but

he was slow and clumsy.

In the second round I gave him several more hard ones, and continued to look scared. I said to

myself it was ridiculous for this man to be posing as the champion of the world, and determined

to put an end to his pretention.

Then The Change Came

About the middle of the third round, just as I was getting ready to do Sullivan up, I saw another

sort of look coming to his eyes. He looked like some wild animal. In the next second he caught

me under the left jaw with his right and lifted me up from the floor till my toes barely touched.

At this his terrible left caught me on the other side of my face, and….

“I’ll have to finish the story” said Sterrett “for marks didn’t know much about the subsequent

proceedings. When he had raised his man clear off the floor, just as a football player lifts the ball

preparing for a kick, he hit poor Marks a crack which knocked him over the ropes and down into

the orchestra. Two chairs and three violins were broken and where Marks was picked up

unconscious. Sullivan thought he had killed the man and hid himself in the wings of the theatre .

Unexpected Experience

Just a few days after that I had the most unexpected experience of my career. We were to appear

in Chattanooga and before our arrival someone had started a report that the man who was to

appear as John L Sullivan was an imposter. This report had gained such widespread circulation

that it would not be stopped.

When I appeared on the stage that night the chief of police and one of his officers jumped on the

rostrum and demanded that I establish my identity. I had no way to prove it, except for the men

travelling with me, and the cops would not take their word. It was said I raved like a bull at what

I called an outrage. Finally I thought myself of a scheme.

“Chief” I said to the officer “If you or anybody in this town have any doubt as to my identity I’ll

tell you what I’ll do. You just send any man in this house on the stage, and if he faces me five

minutes I’ll give him $1000. There is but one Sullivan, and I'm the man," That argument carried

some force with it, and one man ,who they had been asking to meet me, threw the crowd into

laughter by yelling: ' "I'll take his word for it, all right; I'm sure he is John L”

One Punch for Fleming

"We went from Chattanooga to Memphis, and there a young doctor called on me. He wanted to

know if I really offered $1000 to any man that would stand before me four rounds. I assured him

that I did. He then told me of a man named Fleming, and he wanted to fight me. Late during the

day Fleming came around, and the $1000 was put into the hands of a responsible man.

On the stage Fleming appeared to be a strong, healthy fellow. I was a little disturbed for fear that

he might stick. My fear was groundless, however, for I aimed the hard one straight, at his face

right from the jump, and he went out. Fleming was knocked out for 20 minutes and had not

entirely recovered when the show closed.

The first word he spoke after coming around was to his "When am I to meet Sullivan?" he

asked. He was informed that such an event had already happened. "Did I win, all right'."' asked

poor Fleming. That was perhaps the shortest glove tight on , record. It lasted only two seconds.

TO BE CONTINUED

Part 20

You may talk all you please to the boys of America about the great deeds of: George

Washington, Daniel Boone, Mad Anthony Wayne and other figures prominent in history, but to

them the two real heroes of this country are the prize fighter and the ball player. A man who can

put another out of business by a punch on the jaw appeals much more strongly to the average

American youth than does the hero of history, who could outgeneral the British.

The same is true of ball players. The man they worship is the fellow who can hit for two bases

with the bags all full, or a pitcher who can strike out the side. I always take a lot of pleasure in

teasing the little fellows who follow at my heels when walk along the streets, and on several

occasions I have, unintentionally put some very mischievous notions into their heads.

I was walking along Grand St, in New York, one day, when several little fellows, discovering my

identity, began to follow me. One audacious little rascal yelled at me:

"Hey, John L., what do you eat to be so strong?"

"Nothing but gunpowder," I replied; "it makes me fierce,"

"What do you drink?" asked another, as he came close to me.

"Blood, my son," I answered. "Nothing but blood. It takes two or three little fellows like you to

feed me every day."

What He Taught" I thought no more of the incident until I returned to that neighborhood a week or so later. Then I

had it forcibly brought to my attention. A party of ladies called on me one day and when I

went down to see them I had considerable curiosity as to what they wanted.

"Mr. Sullivan," said a little woman, whose name was Mrs Maloney, "you have taught our boys

some very bad tricks, and we know that you will be willing to straighten it out if you have

the chance."

"Why, what in the world have I been doing?" I asked.

Well, I'll tell you," replied the little woman. "Do you remember walking down Grand at in New

York one day and telling a lot of little boys that you ate gunpowder and drank blood to make

you fierce?'

I laughed uproariously at this, for I did remember this incident.

“It’s not as funny as you might think” said the little woman. “Those boy’s of ours thought you

meant that and they are taking every cent of money they can get to buy gunpowder. Why,

my little son has actually been feeding our bulldog on milk and gunpowder to make him fierce."

"Yes," spoke up one of the others. "My boy went over to the slaughterhouse and bought a quart

of beef blood. He drank it all before he came home. He came in with the information that

he was so fierce and full of fight that he wanted to whip his sister. That night he was very sick

and we had to send for the doctor."

Took It Seriously

From the evidence of these good women I ascertained that the little boys along Grand St had

been flocking to the slaughter houses over near the river every day begging for beef blood so that

they could be great fighters like John L. I knew no way out of the difficulty except to go down

there and make a talk, which I did. I told the little fellows that the beans I ate in Boston would

make them just as vicious as the gunpowder and the blood, and for another week they had their

mothers baking beans every day.

I have often laughed over that incident, and you readers who have been boys that were

full of life can understand just how those kids felt.

It was on this visit to New York that I had considerable trouble with the police over allowing the

fight between Alf Greenfield of England and myself to proceed at Madison Square Garden. Just

as a matter of comparison, I will give you an idea at how they evaded the law in those days, so as

to hold boxing matches. Pat Sheedy was my backer at that time, and Richard K. Fox was backing

Greenfield.

How It Was Done

On the strength of an affidavit by Inspector Thorne, to the effect that he had reason to believe

that a prize fight was to take place, at Madison Square Garden Greenfield and I were hauled

before Judge Patterson. Col Spencer appeared for the defense and the proceeding was like this:

"Are you the man mentioned in this affidavit as Sullivan?" the Judge asked "I am, sir," I replied.

"Yours truly, John L."

"Have you made some sort of an arrangement to box or something like that in Madison Square

Garden Monday evening with a person known as Greenfield?"

"Simply a scientific exhibition of the manly art of self defense” I answered, just as I had been

instructed to do.

“Have you any animosity against Greenfield “ asked the court. “none at all – in fact I rather like

him.”

"Do you intend, during that exhibition to inflict upon Mr. Greenfield any damage?"

(Laughingly) "Pshaw, no; we were merely to spar scientifically, not hurt each other."

"Is there any prize put up beyond what people are willing to pay to come'

"No, sir." ."Is there such a thing as a science of self-defense treated off in books?"

"Yes, sir. You can learn a lot of it that way"

"Sign your statement," said Clerk Sellman, as I concluded, and as I hesitated, the clerk said, with

a smile: "You can write, can't you?" "I can," said I, laboriously putting my signature to the paper.

Then Greenfield came up smiling.

Greenfield's Turn

"Hi was born in England," he said, "hand know Mr .Sullivan slightly. Hi've made harrangements

with 'im to give, you know, what you call a scientific exhibition."

"Have you any enmity toward Mr. Sullivan?" asked the lawyer.

"Lord bless you, no!" said Greenfield, closing his eyes and shaking his Head;

"hi don't hintend him any arm."

At this everybody grinned, and Greenfield continued.

"We would use the hordinary gloves, which, you know, his very soft."

"Sign your name, please," said Clerk Sellman.

"Beg your pardon," said Greenfield, "but you know in hour country we don't ave a chance to

leam, but Hi can make my mark," and he put a big X at the bottom of the sheet.

That explained the matter thoroughly, and we were allowed to go on with the fight. At that they

stopped it in the second round, when I had Greenfield at my mercy. I later licked him in

four rounds at the New England Institute in Boston.

End

Part 21

After my fight with McCaffrey there was nothing doing in the way of matchmaking, and I turned

my mind toward making money. I went back to Boston and signed a contract to travel with

Allen's Minstrels at a salary of $500 a week. My job was to pose as statues of ancient and

modern gladiators. I can assure you that that was much easier money than knocking some poor

fellow out for it every night.

In the meantime I had put myself under the management of Pat Sheedy, and we started on a trip

to the Coast with Steve Taylor, George La Blanche, Jimmy Carroll and Patsy Kerrigan. In Frisco

I finally got another chance to meet Paddy Ryan, the man from whom I had won the

championship in 1882.

I knocked him out in three rounds and received something like $7600 for the trouble,

After leaving Frisco I received an injury that came near putting me out of the fighting game for

good. In fact, it was the first serious hurt I ever had.

Why Cardiff Lasted During an exhibition bout in Minneapolis, Jan 18, 1887, I met Patsy Cardiff. We were to go six

rounds. In the opening minute I let drive my left, but found that I had gauged my man wrongly.

The blow struck him in the middle of the forehead just as he was ducking. I felt a sharp twinge in

my arm, but I kept on going. In a few minutes I discovered that I had broken one of the bones in

my arm, and it was already beginning to swell. Despite this injury I fought out the other five

rounds, and was given the decision.

"Why didn't you knock him out?" yelled some fellow derisively from the crowd.

I hurried to the Hotel Nicolet and sent for two surgeons to look at my arm. I was suffering the

most excruciating pain and my arm had swollen until It was almost double its natural size. By the

time the doctors decided What to do it was 3 o'clock in the morning. They finally sent for some

splints and decided to set the arm, as they had found where the bone was broken. The radius

bone, I believe, they called it .

Things got to such a pass that I began to be alarmed for fear that I might lose the arm. They

wanted me to see a surgeon in Chicago, but I made up my mind to come straight to New York

and see Dr Louis Sayers, whom I regarded as one of the greatest surgeons in the world. Dr

Sayers immediately called his two sons. He told them to hold the muscle of the bicep as well as

the forearm.

He then took hold of my hand as if to shake hands with me. In a flash he broke the arm, and for

a minute he had me scared stiff. After resetting it he locked the arm in a plaster cast. I carried

it in that position for five weeks. At the end of that time it was well and I could go back to

fighting.

When my arm was well enough to resume sparring exhibitions I went back to my old home in

Boston. On Aug 8 a grand testimonial benefit was given me at the Boston Theatre. It was on that

occasion that I was presented with the diamond belt which came to be known all over the world.

The one I got from the Police Gazette and sent back was like a. dog collar alongside this one.

Proud of His Belt

The belt given me at Boston was of solid gold and set with 397 diamonds. This belt was made In

Maiden Lane, New York, and is said to be the greatest and nicest piece of workmanship

of its kind that was ever presented to a champion. The belt is my own personal property. It is 48

inches in length and 12 inches in width and is the largest piece of flat gold ever seen in this

country.

It was about 12 Inches square when started, and weighed about 2800 (?) penny-Weights. It took

about three months to complete It. It contains a center plate, two boxing panels, an eagle panel

and a harp panel. These panels are studded with diamonds. My name on the belt is composed of

250 stones. There are enough of us Sullivan’s to repel an army, and we're always ready.

There are Sullivan’s enough to fill every position you may name. Do you want brawn ? Look at

the Sullivan in Boston, who is 6 feet 8 ½ inches tall, working as a longshoreman for $1.80 a

day.

Do you want brain? Look at another Sullivan in Boston, 5 feet 6 inches short, working as

president of a railroad at a salary of $25,000. There are Sullivan’s of all grades in between these

two samples, and I hope someday to see the family reunited — if there is any place big enough to

hold us all. Let all the Sullivan’s take hold and help this thing along. I propose that a society be

formed under the name of the Amalgamated Sullivan’s, If this is done we can control everything

in the land. We are certainly the balance of power. I'd love to join such a family reunion, and I'll

make a side bet that when It is pulled off the whole country will sit up and take notice. As for the

Sullivan women they are the prettiest, the wittiest of any, and they raise families large enough,

too.

End

Part 22

Since I began the preparation of this book I have been asked to explain in detail several incidents

in my checkered career which have for years afforded fight fans material for argument. It

would be impossible for me to give the facts about all of my deeds and misdeeds, as in many

cases I did not remember having done such things and had to rely on my friends for news of

my own doings. But there is one question that I can answer and will.

"Mr Sullivan, why did you refuse to fight Mitchell in New York on March 30, 1884?" That is the

question that was sent me.

I will admit that for one time I failed to fight when called upon. I was caught napping, as it were,

and if I had gone in the ring that night I might have come out without honors being heaped upon

my shoulders.

The truth of the matter is that I did not prepare for the contest, because I had been led to believe

the Capt. Williams of the police would refuse to allow the fight to take place. I was notified of

this while in Boston. I immediately quite taking care of myself and ddrank more than I pleased at

times. To be plain about it I “Cut Loose”.

When the day of the fight arrived I was suddenly notified that Capt. Williams would allow the

match to go on, and I was caught in the middle of a bad fix.

Refused The money

I knew that I had to make good with the public in some manner, so I appeared at an exhibition.

As soon as I got in the ring the crowd knew that I was in no condition to fight, and my

explanation was entirely unnecessary. I made a short talk however in which I excused myself to

the public. I immediately left the hall and went to my room.

A little later Al Smith sent me over my share of the gate receipts which amounted to around

$1000. I refused to take the money on the grounds that I was not entitled to it. Smith refused to

take it back, and we settled it by giving the money to charity.

This drinking question is one for profound consideration. Sometimes I contend that no man can

be successful and drink, and then suddenly wake up and discover that I am mistaken.

On the other hand, if we look over the pages of history we find that many of our greatest men

liked drink now and then. Daniel Webster liked his tipple. Henry Clay was always ready to take

just one more. Calhoun was fond of his old fashioned toddy. George Washington took his

straight, without water on the side, and regular too. Thomas Jefferson would not run away from a

drink . King Edward of England has played the drink thing across the boards. He knows how to

do it too.

Trip To England

While I never expect to take another drink as long as I live, I have none of those hard feelings

against a man who does. If a man can take a drink and get away with it, so much the better, but

yours truly has found long since that whiskey is not for him. I am against prohibition though. I

think it an abridgement of personal liberty.

On the morning of Oct 27, 1887, I boarded the Cunard liner Cephalonia and set sail for England.

I was going abroad on a mission of money, glory and revenge. I wanted to get Charley Mitchell

and Tug Wilson, and in addition to that I was going after Jeff Smith, who was then posing as the

Champion of England.

Harry S. Phillips, a well known sporting man of Montreal was my manager. Accompanying us

was Jack Ashton, the Providence fighter, and Mr. John Barnett, a personal friend, who acted

somewhat in the capacity of travelling companion, adviser and secretary.

We arrived in Liverpool on Nov. 6 at 2 o’clock. It was Sunday afternoon and there was an

immense crowd on hand to greet me. I was a little bit shy about entering this foreign country, but

when I saw all these friendly faces I knew that somebody would be on hand to help me out of

difficulties. Among those who greeted me at the pier were Arthur Magnus, Alf Greenfield and

Johnny Curran.

As I stepped from the tender the crush was so great I had difficulty in reaching a carriage. The

crowd finally got so enthusiastic over the “American Champion” that they started to take the

horses from the carriage and pull me to the hotel themselves. The police interfered and stopped

that and after considerable waiting I finally reached the hotel in safety.

Made Speech From Window

I made a speech from the window of a newspaper office in which I thanked the people and

promised them that I would show them what I could do as a “Knock Out” before the end of the

week. I gave an exhibition on the Wednesday night following and was introduced with Jem

Smith the champion of England.

The place was packed and the crowd immediately began to yell “Speech, Speech”. “I thank you”

I said. “And all I’ve got to say is that here is one fellow I came over to lick” pointing to Jem

Smith. They looked at me rather strangely as I said that, but I added;

“I want to lick him just as much as he wants to lick me”. My manager later told me that I should

have said “ I want to best this man”, they didn’t appear to get the word “lick” at first.

We started on a trip around the country, and one of the most interesting places I visited was

Cardiff, Wales. There my reception was one of the most enthusiastic ever tendered a visitor.

Called It A Dog Collar

“You don’t attach much importance to the diamond belt in the possession of Jake Kilrain ? “ was

asked of men in Cardiff. “No” I replied.”It is only a dog collar given by the Police Gazette. It’s

real value is about £30 ( $150), and if I win it I intend to offer it for competition among the New

York bootblacks”.

I had a little opportunity to meet all comers in Wales and England, because they wouldn’t fight. I

repeatedly issued the challenge, but the people over there are not as quick to take a chance as

they had been in America. I did meet one fellow in Cardiff – Samuels , I think his name was, -

but he didn’t know much about the fighting game.

We sparred for a second and I unbelted one that caught him on the jaw and he went down for

what looked like the count. He was not out however for he raised up and said “Quits,quits”.

End

Part 23 – final chapter

As I near the end of my story I must take time to pay tribute to a man whom I regard as one of

the greatest men this country ever produced. The man I refer to Ira D. Sankey, the evangelist. He

is one of the few men who over called my bluff and made me think a long time about what he

said. If I had listened to his advice I would be a rich man today and would be able to set a better

example to the youth of the country than I have done.

Boys, when a man garbed as a minister calls on you I want you to listen to him with a great deal

of attention. He knows a bit more about the world than you think.

I was in my room in a Buffalo hotel about 15 years ago when a bellhop came in and said that a

stranger had called and wanted to take up some of my time. "If you don't say for him to come

up," said the boy," said the boy, "he says he will come up anyway." "You tell that fresh fellow if

he wants to take a chance on going down faster than he came up to come up," I said.

In a couple of minutes a dignified man, attired as a preacher, appeared in the doorway.

"My name is Sankey," he said. in way of introduction. "Well, I wouldn't feel bad about that," I

replied with a look that was intended to put the visitor out of business. "What do you want with

me?

“I want you to change your way of living and set a different example for the youth of the

country”, was his opening remark. !Huh, Huh” I replied with some astonishment. "You have no

right to squander your strength in wild living'," he went on without flinching-. "It was given you

for a different purpose." "I don't squander anybody's money but my own," I replied, "and I do a

lot more good with mine, I’ll bet you, than you do with yours”.

.

Didn't Heed Old Advice

"Now, Mr Sullivan," he went on, "don't make the mistake of thinking that I don't know anything

about the world and the things to which you refer. I've been pretty close to them in more

countries than one, and I'm here to ask you to do something for the growing boy’s by setting a

good example. These are the people we want to start in the right channels. By showing them the

proper way to live you can do as much for saving these young people as I can."

We sat there and talked for an hour and he soon got it through my head that I was wrong and that

he was right, Still, I had had so much of that kind of advice offered me that I did not heed it. He

certainly made a great try and he went a long distance out of his way to force something upon me

that I needed. I wish I had taken that advice.

In my concluding chapter I want to impress upon the boys and young men of this country the

importance of doing something. The boy who sets his aim at a life of detail will never do

much. He will be a good, handy man to have around, but you will never see his name in the

papers.

The principal thing in life is to create something. To improve, on what others have done is all

right, but the main idea is to go out and do something yourself. Do something different from

what the other fellows have done.

Dig up something new.

Some years ago a young fellow came to my training camp on Long Island to make some

drawings of me and to write a story of how I trained. I tried to help him all I could, but all the

time I was talking to him I could see he had something in his mind that was his own. He was

different from all the other artists I had seen before.

The next day I picked up the paper and saw that, his drawings were entirely different from what I

had suggested to him. He was Frederick, the famous artist. Pie was then about 21 years old. Look

what he did. The editor who sent him out to see me that day never imagined that Remington's

pictures some day would be selling for thousands of dollars.

Managers Don’t make Fighters

I have often heard it said that managers are generally responsible for the success of fighters. That

is all bosh. They can help a lot by attending to the details, but it is the fighter who makes the

name for himself.

William Brady is a big theatrical manager, and I have no doubt that he cons himself into

believing that he made James J. Corbett champion. Perhaps he never would have received a

hearing as a manager if he hadn't been lucky enough to hitch up with the pompadour boy from

California.

Tom O'Rourke was a stair builder before he got hold of George Dixon. I'll wager that O'Rourke

can put up quite an argument to show that he made Dixon a success and caused him to pile

up money for a dozen years. Of course Dixon has no comeback, because he is dead.

I am now well past 50 years, my hair is white and my weight is around 300 pounds. I take the

most excellent care of myself. I never use intoxicants in any form whatever. I spend the greater

part, of my time in my room. When I am not busy writing letters I take a deck of cards and

amuse myself for hours playing solitaire.

A friend has already sprung a joke on me in advance. He says it would not be strange for some

purchaser to ask his dealer for a scrapbook and be given the "Life of John L. Sullivan" by

mistake.

Ira D. Sankey (August 28, 1840 – August 13, 1908), known as The Sweet Singer of Methodism,

was an American gospel singer and composer, associated with evangelist Dwight L. Moody.[1]

Ira David Sankey, son of David Sankey, known as the father of Lawrence County, and Mary

Leeper Sankey, was born August 28, 1840, in Edinburg, on the outskirts of New Castle,

Pennsylvania.[2]

When Sankey was 16, he was converted at a revival meeting at the King's Chapel United

Methodist Church, which was about three miles away from his home.[2]

When he was young, Sankey served in the Civil War.[2]

Afterward, he took employment at the

IRS,[2]

and also the YMCA. He became increasingly well known as a Gospel singer, and

eventually attracted the attention of noted evangelist Dwight L. Moody. The two men met at a

YMCA convention in Indianapolis, Indiana, in June, 1870.[1]

Several months later, Sankey

attended his first evangelistic meeting with Moody. Shortly thereafter, Sankey resigned his

government position.

Sankey married Fanny V. Edwards, one of his choir members, in September 1863. They had

three sons.

In October 1871, Sankey and Moody were in the middle of a revival meeting when the Great

Chicago Fire broke out.[2]

The two men barely escaped the conflagration with their lives. Sankey

ended up watching the city burn from a rowboat far out on Lake Michigan.

On June 7, 1872, Sankey and Moody made the first of several joint visits to the UK.[1]

Sankey's

hymns were promoted by the famous London Baptist preacher, Charles Spurgeon, long

afterwards. While in Edinburgh, they raised £10,000 for the purpose of building a new home for

the Carrubbers Close Mission. During their time in Edinburgh, the foundation stone was laid and

the building remains one of the few on the Royal Mile which today serves the same purpose for

which it was built.

When Rev. Moody was asked by a local pastor what he felt was the primary contribution that a

gospel singer and song leader such as Ira Sankey brought to his meetings he replied, "If we can

only get people to have the words of the Love of God coming from their mouths its well on its

way to residing in their hearts."

Sankey wrote several hymns and songs, composed and arranged music for many more, and

collected over 1,200 in the popular volume Sacred Songs and Solos which is still used today.

From 1895 to 1908, he was president of the Biglow and Main publishing company. He was blind

from glaucoma the last five years of his life, and no doubt found a kindred spirit in his friend and

music-making partner, blind hymnodist Fanny Crosby. Stories of his hymn compositions seem a

fitting way to conclude this biography. His first and most famous composition was The Ninety

and Nine. Sankey and Moody were en route from Glasgow to Edinburgh, Scotland, in May,

1874, as they were to hold a three-day campaign there. This was at the urgent request of the

Ministerial Association. Prior to boarding the train, Sankey bought a weekly newspaper for a

penny. He found nothing of interest but a sermon by Henry W. Beecher and some

advertisements. Then, he found a little piece of poetry in a corner of one column that he liked,

and he read it to Moody, but only received a polite reply. Sankey clipped the poem and tucked it

in his pocket. At the noon day service of the second day of the special series, Moody preached on

The Good Shepherd. Horatious Bonar added a few thrilling words and then Moody asked Mr.

Sankey if he had a final song. An inner voice prompted him to sing the hymn that he found on

the train. With conflict of spirit, he thought, this is impossible! The inner voice continued to prod

him, even though there was no music to the poem, so he acquiesced. As calmly as if he had sung

it a thousand times, he placed the little piece of newspaper on the organ in front of him. Lifting

up his heart in a brief prayer to Almighty God, he then laid his hands on the keyboard, striking a

chord in A flat. Half speaking and half singing, he completed the first stanza, which was

followed by four more. Moody walked over with tears in his eyes and said, "Where did you get

that hymn?" The Ninety and Nine became his most famous tune and his most famous sale from

that time on. The words were written by Elizabeth Clephane in 1868. She died in 1869, little

realizing her contribution to the Christian world.

Ira D. Sankey died August 13, 1908 in Brooklyn.

In 1979–80, the Gospel Music Association recognized Sankey's prodigious contributions to

gospel music by listing him in the Gospel Music Hall of Fame.