Trench and camp. [volume] (Augusta, Ga.) 1917-1919, 1918-02-06
John L. Sullivan
Knocked Out By His
Last Opponent
BY n. C. HAMILTON,
United Press Special Correspondent.


them all died last week IN Massachusetts,
invented knock Out"
Tie inventor of the Knockout punch, a
champion who barred no one in the en-
tire breadth of the earth, an honest, fair
batter at every stage. John L. Sullivan
meant more to the fighting world than all
the Willards and Corbetts that could be
packed into a ringA
It is fact that the mention of John
L. Sullivan's name merely required his
first name and the middle anitfal. Sulli-
van was taken for granted when man
mentioned John L.
Born of Irish parents. real son of the
"Ould sod" Sullivan learned his game in
a hard school. He was not a fighting
form. He never took a boxing lesson in
his life. But the crushing power in his
iron fists was sufficient. He could stand
punishment. His was the ideal career OF
a champion of the prize ring. The pub
lie, inclined to cynicism also in the early
days of fighting~waS inclined to look with
some disfaVor on a man who made money
so fast but Sullivan literally hypnotized
the public into loving him because of his
transformations manner. He was simply q
man. His ideas OF his own ability could
not be driven into Sullivans head to the
extent of making him a snob. He de-
clared himself John L. sullivan. The
world could take him for that or leave
him alone It was SAL -s9G an init
mate friend OF the late King Edward of
England. If he was. no one ever heard
it from the lips of Sullivan At least,
no one ever said So
1t was a fact that John L. Sullivan,
natural John L., was a gentlemanly, con-
siderate being when not in the ring. But
it also is a fact that John l.. in the
ring was rushing, tearing, clubbing tor
NADIA cave man dug firm the dim an
nails of the past. His was style that
knew no terror Of opposition, an all-con-
Stunning power that beat down opposition
and smothered it like an avalanche.
Prince of Food Fellows.
He was a splendid story teller and
prince of good fetlws. In the very hey
man of his career the wonderful fighting
man went down loser under the punches
of John Barleycorn. In later years he
attributed his defeat by James J. Cor
bett to the disintegrating effects Of al
Cohol
Sullivan was a hard drinker. It was
said of him that he was the most dan
gerous rough and tumble fighter in the
world. even after he had lost his title to
COrbett. But drink finally was bested by
his iron viii. In his last years of public
appearance Sullivan made it point to
include temperance lecture i'll his
speeches. He retired to his farm as the
fast life wore him down In splendid
health he lived the life of near recluSe.
Sulliyan,s claim to the heavyweight
championship was always clouded in ar
gument. There was no worlds heavy
weight Of any standing when John l..
began knocking dead the fighting men
around Paddy Ryan to decide the cham
pionShip of America. He met and beat
the title claimant in nine rounds in Mis-
sissippi.
Then came the battle that really lifted
him to prominence as the world S cham
pion. He met and defeated Jake Kilrain
in rs rounds in Mississippi, one of the
most gruelling battles that ever was
spread on the records of pugism. Both
Kilrain and his opponent withstood a
tremendous amount of punishment 1t
was the last bare knuckle fight of any
Importance ever held in this country
That Sullican was not invincible was
proved about the same time when he met
Charley Mitchell, the wonderful English
man, in Chantilly. France, the bout going
to Al rounds and coming to a conclusion
when Mitchell broke an arm. The bout
was called a draw.
His Retirement.
Sullivan retired when he lost his title to
James J. Corbett. In New Orleans after
81 rounds of fighting. Sullivan, a broken
hearted wreck of a champion, struggled
to his feet as the crowd cheered the new
champion and drew a greater outburst of
applause than a conquerer when he de-
clared he had been beaten by better
and younger man.
81 hope the title will remain in possess
sion of an American, he shouted huskily
as the crowd rose and sroared.
The old fellow, his heart wrenched by
the knowledge that he had met his mas
ter, went Immediately into retirement
He had been slashed to, ribbons by the
superior speed of his antagonist. He
didn't land a solid blow in the contest
finally lost to Fitzsimmons Fitz was
awarded the title without a dispute He
gained it in a direct line of succession
from Sullivan