Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1889-07-09
JOHN LAWRENCE SULLIVAN.
A Sketch of the Most Renowned Pugilist
of His Time.


of His Time.
John L. Sullivan was born of Irish parents
on the Highlands of Boston about thirty
years ago. His father is a small man, not
over five feet five inches tall, and never
weighed above $50 pounds in his life. His
mother is very large, powerful woman,
and it Is by the maternal side that he in
herits his great physical powers. Heis not
tail man, being about five feet ten inches
tall, but he possesses most powerful
frame, and his ordinary weight when not
trained is about 235 pounds. His face is
rather spare of flesh, but his jaws are won
derfully square and resolute. His arms
are not unusually large for an athlete, but
the muscles of his shoulders and back are
phenomenal in their greatness. They en-
able him to propel his fists with tremen-
dous power and force.
Sullivan began his fistic career in his
native Boston, and was at first known as
The Strong Boy of the Highlands" He
first attained national reputation by nearly
knocking Joe Goss insensible by blow in
boxing bout in q theater Goss had
twice fought for the championship of Eng
land with Jem Mace, the cleverest boxer
that England ever produced, and afterward
twice fought for the championship of
America. He was defeated for this title by
Paddy Ryan, and then match was made
between Ryan and Sullivan for the title
and 81, 500 aside. This fight took place at
Mississippi City on the 9th of February,
1882, and was won by Sullivan in nine
rounds, lasting eleven minutes.
After that Sullivan travelled through the
country offering prizes to any man he
could not stop" or knock senseless in four
rounds under Queensberry rules. His sue
cess was marvellous.
In several trips through the country he
knocked out no less than sixty of the larg-
est, most powerful and skillful pugilists to
be found. He broke his left arm a couple
of years ago in fight with Patsy Cardiff,
and for while he was compelled to retire
from the active work of pugilism. Then
opponents brought controversy between
him and Kllrain. The latter challenged
him to fight tor the championship, and Sui
Ivan, owing to the crippled condition of
his arm, for the first time in his life was
compelled to decline the invitation.
Kilrain assumed the title of Champion
of America" but his claim to'it under the
circumstances was not generally acknowl-
edged
When his arm became well Sullivan
made a trip to England and there attracted
the greatest attention ever paid to pugil-
ist. Sullivan fought with Charlie Mitchell
near Chantlly, France, over year ago. In
the third round. when Mitchell was all but
defeated Sullivan so injured the biceps
muscle of his right arm that he was unable
to use it effectively thereafter. Toward the
close of the battle rain set in, and as
neither contestant could hurt the other, it
was agreed that the fight should be con-
sidered " drawn"
Sullivan returned to the United States,
and last fall he was attacked by compiled
ton Of disorders which brought him to
deaths door.
When he recovered he had partially lost
the use of one of his legs. He had friends,
however, who had faith in his recuperative
powers, and they backed him against Kill
rain.