The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-08-28

Baseball was the first professional sport that
claimed the cham pion's attention, and he
male quite a reputation on local teams. SO
much SO. In fact. that he received an offer OF
$1,000 from the Cincinnati Club in 1870.
The first time sullivan ever doomed the
nits" was at the Dudley Street Opcrn House,
Boston. His opponent was q local boxer
named Scannell. Sullivan describes the en-
counter AS follows:
II was working Mt tinsmithinG then. and
had no tights nor had made any arrangements
for boxing. but simply took off my coat. rolled
up my shirt sleeves. and put on the gloves.
When we put up our hands he hit me u crack
On the back OF the head, and the first thing |
did was to punch him as hard rs | could.
knocking him clean over the piano which was
on the stage. This was the first actual cxpe-
rience Of mine at boxing. and I will never for
get this experience. nor do | think he will"
That gave the future champion his first taste
Of ring fighting. He was then 10 years old.
After that" said the champion. Il driftcd
into the occupation Of Il boxer. l went to
meet all corners. fighting all styles and all
manner Of builds Of mon. until the present
day. l never was taught to box: have learned
from observation aud watching other boxers.
and outside Of that my style OF lighting is per-
fectly original with me. Some ono has said
that old Prof. Bailey claimed tho credit Of
teaching me-. but he was wrong In the asser-
tioa. as never took n boxing lesson in my
life. having Il natural ambition for the bust
moss. was always a big fellow. weighing 200
pounds at tho age Of II. and l had the roputa.
fon for moro than my proportionate share Of
strength"
sullivan's first opponent OF note was Johnny
Woods. better known as "Cockey'' Woo Is.
who was once matched to fight Heenan. That
was In 1873. Il soon disposed Of him." is
Sullivaa's comment.
In the following year he defeated Dan Dwyer.
known as the cham rion OF Massachusetts. In
the same year lie tackled Mike Donovan at the
~latter's benefit In Boston. and gave him such
. hustling that when no went bnck to New
York he said to Joe Goss. George Rookie. and
all the knowing ones that there was a fellow
Nd in Boston by the name of Sullivan who WAS
going to be he boss OF them Nil.
In 1880" continued sullivan. On the sixth
day Of April. | disposed Of one Of Encland's
greatest champions. Joe Gloss. at u testim"nini
given tn him By his numerous friends nj Musl!
Hall. Boston. in which We, ,parred three
rounds; In tne second round dealt MN a
sdvice of, Tom, Denney and Billy Edwards |
ssp Dock him the ol LIST Which, TSnnd S Sdt1d ba try'HdS sn to
bloxs we're like tho Kicks Of a mule.
p%ecember. ,lss0-Jissurd the following ,chal.
lenge. which was his first bid for recognition:
CiSclSxAIi. Dec. o, 1850.
5chs Edho, nj n, Erquir>r:
] am prepared 10 make a match 10 fght any man
Se.ghth This challenge is especially directed to Paddy
Hfah, and WIN remain omen for u month II 10 should
joIS [. SULLIVAN.
AS to the outcome. Sullivan says: Paddy
cyan refused 70 snar with me at Springfield.
81 his standing. said: Go and got u reputA-
ton did 90 and get q reputation. as the
records Tor a short time after this show. and I
finished IT.. more efrectually than Mr.. Ryan
could have i,oreseen. at the expense OF his own
SuIlIyan deyotes considerable space. to his
OF America on Feb. Z. 1892. In commenting
upon the battle, Sullivan says:
"The reason / did, not, punish Ryan more
mi, seconds spoke to me after tho NTH, round
had him done and might kill him. / only
wanted to win. and had no desire to beat
him unnecessarily. For that reason | did
The fight lasted nine rounds. making In all
eleven minutes, or ten ard o~ne-lialf. as some
watches showed. when Ryan wa, so disabled
that the best care OF physicians was required,
Immediately after the fight ] Iumlcd over the
ropes and ran q hundred. yard dgsi, to m,
shoes and puttfne On my streeI dress. Much
dissppointmentwas manifested ,by the friend,
IL Claimed that from 100000 to $20O.OO(
changed hapds. on the result
suod another swesping challenge. which NJ
enc accepted. and he continued his series o