Sullivan, John L

Sullivan, John L(awrence)

John L. Sullivan.

(credit: UPI)

(born Oct. 15, 1858, Roxbury, Mass., U.S.—died Feb. 2, 1918, Abington, Mass.) U.S. boxer. Sullivan became the world heavyweight champion in 1882 by knocking out Paddy Ryan in nine rounds. His 75-round knockout of Jake Kilrain in 1889 was the last title bout under London Prize Ring (bare-knuckle) rules. In his only championship defense under the Queensberry rules, he was knocked out by Jim Corbett (b. 1866—d. 1933) in 21 rounds in 1892. From 1878 to 1905 Sullivan had 35 bouts, of which he won 31, 16 by knockouts. Some boxing historians regard Sullivan only as a U.S. champion since he had only one international match of consequence and refused to fight the great black Australian heavyweight Peter Jackson.