The Washington herald., 1918-02-03
Great Referee Hands Final
Count to John L. Sullivan

Americas grandest and greatest
knight of the roped arena was
counted out yesterday for the last
time by the Great Referee.
John L. Sullivan, formerly the
heavyweight boxer. died at his
home at Abingdon, Mass, shortly
after the noon hour. He was taken
i'll with heart trouble three weeks
ago and 1t was this disease that
finally put over the X. o. punch on
the veteran champion.
John Lawrence Sullivan, who was
SO years old, was the most widely
known Bostonian of the last IS
years. Boston Strong Boy" cham
pion of the world, actor. author.
gentleman farmer and temperance
lecturer he lived through a career
full of the alteration of the crowd
and the popularity that came with
spectacular success.
He made his first ring appearances
in Boston in 1873 and 1879 when,
the record books state, he boxed in
strictly local bouts.
He Iarned the plumbers trade
and boxing was side issue. So
great was his success in the ring.
however, that he soon gave up the
soldering iron and became an out
and-out pugilist
His career was a series of knock
outs from that time until. by de-
feating Paddy Ryan at Mississippi
City on February Z. 1882. he became
heavyweight champion of the
United States. This was a bare-flst
fight for 5000 a side. 1t went nine
rounds and Sullivan emerged des-
tined to the most spectacular box
ing career anyone has ever known.
Sullivan began at once triumphal
tour of the world that included vic
tories over all corners and which
lasted for nearly ten years. His most
important fights during that time were
the Charley Mitchell draw in Chan
tilIy, France and the famous Jake Kill
rain battle at Richburg, Miss, July
8, 1889.
The Kilrain bout at bare knuckles
lasted seventy-five rounds, Sullivan
winning the fight and the side bet of
$1O,O which made the battle sensa-
ton Of the era from a financial stand
point.
In the arena Of the Olympic Club.
New Orleans, La, September Z. lS92,
John l. sullivan met his Waterloo,
being knocked out by Corbett in the
twenty-first round. The fight was Tor
the largest sum ever known, purse
Of $4,000, and a side bet of $4,000.
Seven thousand people witnessed this
great fistic battle, and the excitement
and enthusiasm reached fever heat.
1t was a triumph Of youth, agility
and skill over advancing years. over
confidence and strength. 1t was vic
torv NJ mind OVer matter.
Sullivan was seconded by Charles
johnson and Jack McAuliffe, with
Frank Moran as timekeeper. The men
who stood behind Corbett were: Prof.
John Donaldson and Billy Delaney.
Bat Masterson was his timekeeper and
Philip Dwyer, the turfman. was final
stakeholder. Promptly at o'clock
the two principals shook hands, and.
after q moments parleying regarding
the rules. prepared for hostilities. The
battle began at sos o'clock.
For the first round Corbett adopted
dodging tactics, and the crowd yelled
at him. After this round, and in the
rounds which followed, he took the
initiative and forced the fighting. As
the battle proceeded It was seen that
Sullivan was being beaten and a
great feeling Of sympathy went up for
the man who had held the champion
ship 30 long.
He struggled manfully to rush down
his young opponent, but Corbett's
telling blows dazed and bewildered
him. and when time was called for
the twenty-first round, the Cali
fornian rushed in and planted blow
after blow on Sullivan's face and
neck. The latter backed away. try
ing to save himself. but Corbett was
close upon him, and when bleeding
and exhausted, with CLASSY eyes and
trembling limbs, he lowered his guard
from sheer exhaustion, the young
Californian shot his right across the
champions jaw and he fell like an OK.
When finally he arose bruised and
bleeding and staggering to the ropes.
moved his battered and swollen lips,
ther issued these words in a tone
horse with chragin and weakness:
It's the old, old story. 1 am like
the pitcher that went to the well
once too often" His voice broke,
and gulping down a sob he continued:
Il can only say that am glad that
1 have been beaten by an American"
He continued, however, in the lime
light up until the time of his death
as stage figure and after his victory
over the Barleycorn champion, as a
temperance advocate of imposing
presence and convincing style of
argument.
Sullivan's gruffness, his brusuue
manner and his towering figure made
him the center of attraction wherever
he went His philosophy was straight
and to the mint and I,fs ,.,,n,a--of
speaking as devoid OF camoufiare as
6ia 6ghfiux .nfsln had -