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John Lawrence Sullivan (October 15, 1858 – February 2, 1918), known simply as John L. among his admirers, and dubbed the "Boston Strong Boy" by the press, was an American boxer. He is recognized as the first heavyweight champion of gloved boxing , de facto reigning from February 7, 1882, to September 7, 1892.
John L. Sullivan (born Oct. 15, 1858, Roxbury, Mass., U.S.—died Feb. 2, 1918, Abington, Mass.) was an American professional boxer, one of the most popular heavyweight champions and a symbol of the bareknuckle era of boxing.
John Lawrence Sullivan in his prime. John Lawrence Sullivan (October 15, 1858 – February 2, 1918) is widely recognized as boxing's first modern world heavyweight champion and the last of the great bare-knuckle fighters. He was a hugely popular figure in the late-nineteenth century.
John L. Sullivan was a boxing immortal, the link between bare knuckles and glove fighting, and the first great American sports idol. From an early age, Sullivan showed great proficiency with his fists.
Dec 17, 2019 · After a 10-year reign as heavyweight champion and—at one time—the most popular and most reviled athlete in America, John L. Sullivan had legitimized organized prizefighting, moving it from the outlawed bare-knuckle era to the more ‘humane’ gloved sport.
Nov 20, 2019 · The boxer John L. Sullivan attained enormous fame in the late 1800s as one of the first great sports figures in America.
Feb 2, 2010 · Born to Irish immigrant parents in the town of Roxbury, neighboring Boston, Sullivan apparently inherited his solid physique—he was 5’10” tall and weighed 190 pounds—from his mother, who equaled her grown son’s stature.
Jun 6, 2014 · John L. Sullivan would claim to have fought more than 450 times in his career, some professionally in both exhibits and prize fights, and others the byproduct of barroom scuffles. Like many of his stories, the truth isn’t always clear.
Dec 28, 2023 · America’s first heavyweight hero, John L. Sullivan, is brute force incarnate—his size and power are mythical. The “Boston Strong Boy” elevates bare-knuckle boxing to a mainstream sport and becomes the first great American boxer.
Feb 18, 2018 · John L. Sullivan, the celebrated 19th century fist fighter who embodied the spirit of a fighting Irishman, died one hundred years ago in Abington, Massachusetts. Sullivan left behind more than just a legacy of 40 wins, 2 draws and 1 loss.
