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John Lawrence Sullivan (October 15, 1858 –
February 2, 1918) is widely recognized as boxing's
first modern Heavyweight|world heavyweight
champion.

Born at Roxbury, Massachusetts|Roxbury, Boston,
Massachusetts|Boston, Sullivan was nicknamed The
Boston Strongboy. As a youth he was arrested
several times for participating in bouts where the
sport was outlawed, and he went on exhibition
tours offering people money to fight him. In 1879,
Sullivan challenged anyone in United
States|America to fight him for $500. In 1883-1884
he toured with a circus, offering $500 to anyone
who could last one round with him. It has been
claimed he knockout|knocked out about 30 men
during the tour.

Depending on which authorities are consulted,
Sullivan became world heavyweight champion in 1888
when he defeated Charley Mitchell in France, or
the following year when he knocked out Jake
Kilrain in round 75 of a scheduled 80 round bout.
That fight is considered to be a turning point in
boxing history because it was the last world title
bout fought under the London Rules and also, the
last bare-knuckle heavyweight title bout.

Undefeated at that point, Sullivan did not defend
his title for the next four years, becoming an
alcoholic and unfit. He finally agreed to defend
his title in 1892, losing to James J.
Corbett|"Gentleman Jim" Corbett in 21 rounds. That
was the first heavyweight contest under the new
Marques of Queensberry rules, and the first title
fight using boxing gloves. Sullivan therefore was
the last bare-knuckle champion, and the first one
to use gloves. 

Sullivan retired, but appeared in several
exhibitions over the next 12 years, including a
three rounder against Tom Sharkey. He became a
stage actor, speaker and bar owner. He is known by
autograph experts to have been a good autograph
signer, and there are many documents, pieces of
paper and photos in existence known to have been
signed by him. Sullivan's autograph is now valued
at hundreds of dollars. Through the decades, a
photo of him with a facsimile autograph has
surfaced on books, magazines and in novelty
stores, and has been widely circulated

In his later years Sullivan became a teetotaler
and often supported the temperance movement. He
died of health problems caused by his earlier
alcoholism, and is buried in the Old Calvary
Cemetery, in Boston.

He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall
Of Fame in 1990, as a member of the hall's
original class. He had a record of 50 wins, 1 loss
and 4 draws, with 35 wins by knockout.

== External link ==
http://www.boxrec.com/boxer_display.php?boxer_id=0
10547 John L. Sullivan Boxing Record

start box
succession box |
  before= — |
  title= List of heavyweight boxing
champions|Heavyweight boxing champion |
  years= 1882–1892 |
  after= James J. Corbett

end box