El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1921-01-03
John l. Sullivan Famous Heavyweight Champion of s. Years
Ago Was One Of Greatest Htters in History; Often
Knocked Out Man by Striking Him With An Open
Hand; Resembles Famous lack DEMPSEY

HTHEN John L. Sullivan was a boy
w in Boston. half q century ago,
he had one great ambition He
wanted 10 become a professional BAH
player. John might have been the
Babe Huth OF those early days and We
might have been fiuding his picture
IN some old team lineup, decorated
with fun crop Of the whiskers then
favored by Big Leaguers. II Professor
Mike Donovan hadn't visited Boston
IN 1878
Mike Donovan was middleweight
champion There was little money IN
boxing when matches had to be held
out in the woods Nike was train
ing for a championship bout and
raising his training expense money
By giving a few exhibitions in diff
ferent towns A Boston friend sug-
gested he might do wei by taking
on local semi-pro ball player who
had done little scrapping. So John
Sullivan was invited to set 20" with
Donovan. John came. At that time
he was a husky youngster Of 20,
broad shouldered, feet 101z inches
tail. Weighing about $50. pounds.
Being a worlds champion middle
weight, and a first class boxer, Nike
Donovan thought he'd put the novice
at his ease He felt grateful 20 the
boy anyway, for appearing at his
benefit So he held out his hand 20
sullivan before the bell and said
I'll let you of easy. young fell
low"
"Youu be lucky Il. 7 don't break
your neck" roared Sullivan.
Right there, in line, you have
the character Of the man who after-
ward became the most famous worlds
heavyweight champion that ever
held a ring title.
How Nike And John became Friends.
As for the bout, Mike Donovan out
boxed Sullivan for moment. when
John L suddenly rushed upon him
with such fury that Donovan doubled
forward to protect his body and raised
both arms 70 defend his head. At this
Sullivan brought his right arm down
full length across Mixes shoulder
blades the terrific force OF the blow
knocking Mike fiat on his face,
breaking his nose
For years after that Sullivan
and Nike Donovan were friends,
and no one ever had greater
respect for suIllvan's fighting
ability than Donovan. suIlivun's
rise to championship honora was
rapid. All fighting In his time
was under London Prize Ring
rules, with hare FISTS both hitting
and wrestling throws allowed.
rounds terminating VIXEN either
man was down.
sey knock out willard, ] asked VIII
liam 1Tuldoon. who was long associ-
ated with Sullivan, how he would
compare sullivan with the new cham
pion-
sullivan at his best, and Dempsey Z
today. would make a wonderful
match" said Mr.. Muldoou. sullivan
was the hardest hitter I ever saw,
but think Dempsey hits as hard Sui
livan. at his best. weighed 1875 pounds
to Dempsey's 1873, but Dempsey Is n
two inches taller and has a longer I
reach. Sullivan was a little faster and
a better boxer. but his legs weren't
as good as Dempsey's. I think with
sullivan and Dempsey in a ring the
winner would be the man who got
home the first heavy punch
Boxing and other sports were on 2
different fotting when sullivan began /
fighting. Fighters and their fol- I
lowers were outside the law. TO some !
extent. and championship matches
with the @raW uns' were usually held Z
out in the woods, in a hastily put up ]
ring, after lodging the peace officers. I
Between fights il was the habit OF Z
fighters 10 dissipate heavily. To- I
day the successful fighter is the
cleanest living man in the world I
CompetitiOn is hot and no dissipated !
boxer can ever reach the top In his
class. Sullivan beginning At 20,
reached and passed the TOP Of his
form at "a.
Compare his life with Dempsey,s. I
Even when he has no match in sight
Jack Dempsey Is out on the road at
daylight every morning for run
Of several miles. Returning. he has
o rundown. rests. eats breakfast, and
iater in the day boxes several rounds. Z
He goes TO bed early. he never
drinks liquor or smokes. He is as
scrupulously careful Of his physical
condition as an ancient Greek cham
pion under oath not TO break train
ing for a fun year before competing
in the Olympic games
Old Timers Didn't Train.
Sullivan drank heavily when not
training. and trained as little as DOS
ssble. He kept no regular hours. FIRE.
Quently he fought without half get
ting into condition, depending upon
-he terror Of his name and the fury Of
his first attack TO beat an opponent
down. His vitality was amazing.
He won his first 80 ring battles in
100 rounds Of fighung-an averaging
Of 9 i-3 rounds for each fight Among