SULLIVAN, John Lawrence, American pugilist: b. Boston, Mass., 15 Oct. 1858; d. West Abington, Mass., 2 Feb. 1918. This re markable man, who has not inaptly been described as <
the principal exponent of a science that seems to have passed out of vogue. Endowed with herculean, strength physique, together with the necessary concomitants of courage and pugnacity, his picturesque figure and exciting career were typical of the ancient gladiator. At 19 he fought his first battle on the stage of a Boston theatre when he knocked out a pugilist named Scannell, who had challenged any man in the audience. Hereafter he adopted fighting as his profession. His feats of strength earned him the sobriquet of the Boston Strong Boy,* and in 1878 he made his debut as a professional by knocking out *Cockney* Woods. On 7 Feb. 1882 he met and defeated Paddy Ryan in a bare-knuckle fight at Mississippi City for $5,000 a side and the championship of America. Sullivan's trainer, Billy Madden, is said to have coined the now well-known phrase *knockout' on this oc casion. His next important fight was in
with *Charlie* Mitchell (q.v.), ending as a draw at the 39th round, and on 8 July 1889 he fought his greatest battle, that with Jake Kilrain, at Richburg, Miss. This was the last championship fight in America under London Prize Ring rules and gave Sullivan the victory in 75 rounds. His contest with Mitchell proved that the only method likely to succeed against him was that of agility in keeping beyond the range of his powerful right-hand blows, and it was by adopting these tactics that • James J. Corbett deprived Sullivan of the championship in 21 rounds at New Orleans on 7 Sept. 1892. This was his last contest, after being cham pion of the world for 12 years. His bohemian style of life had injured his magnificent con stitution. In his later days he became an ardent advocate of temperance and retired to the farm where he died.