

IN PRINT SUBSCRIPTIONS SHOP HISTORY TRAVEL BOOKS/DVDS FORUMS SEARCH: From Our Magazines America's Civil War American History Aviation History British Heritage Civil War Times MHQ Military History Vietnam Wild West World War II More On The Website All History Topics Classifieds Partner Links Civil War Sesquicentennial Our History Magazines Order America's Civil War Order American History Order Aviation History Order British Heritage Order Civil War Times Order Military History Order MHQ Order Vietnam Order Wild West Order World War II Order Armchair General Subscriber Services Order a Subscription Give a Gift Renew Get Subscription Help HistoryNetShop.com Store Home Books Book Series 2012 Calendars DVDs PC Wargames Action Figures Audio Collections Videos Gift Ideas Magazine Subscriptions Magazine Back Issues Magazine Special Issues Magazine Slip Cases Armchair General Forums List of Partner Links Civil War Sesquicentennial Heritage Travel Book and DVD Guide

Picture of the Day: July 8

Published Online: June 12, 2006

0 comments

FONT + FONT -

John L. Sullivan: The Boston Strong Boy
Bare-knuckle boxer John Lawrence Sullivan reigned as America's first sports hero at the end of the 19th century. In July 1889, when challenged by Jake Kilrain of Baltimore, Sullivan was still unbeaten despite his heavy drinking. About 3,000 fans gathered in the blazing sun of Richburg, Mississippi, for what was to be the last championship bare-knuckle fight. The marathon match went 75 rounds and lasted 2 hours and 16 minutes before the battered Kilrain's handlers threw in the towel. Sullivan remained the champ until September 1892, when he was knocked out for the first time in his career by 'Gentleman Jim' Corbett. The mighty Sullivan died in 1918.

Photo: National Archives

HISTORYNET READERS' POLL

Loading ...

STAY CONNECTED WITH US

What is HistoryNet?

The HistoryNet.com is brought to you by the Weider History Group, the world's largest publisher of history magazines. HistoryNet.com contains daily features, photo galleries and over 5,000 articles originally published in our various magazines.

If you are interested in a specific history subject, try searching our archives, you are bound to find something to pique your interest.

From Our Magazines

Weider History Group

Picture of the Day: July 8

Leave a Reply

Related Articles

What is HistoryNet?

From Our Magazines

Weider History Group