Evening Republican, Volume 20, Number 49, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 26 February 1916 — SULLIVAN WAS REALLY WORLD’S CHAMPION [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

SULLIVAN WAS REALLY WORLD’S CHAMPION

The question asked most in pugilistic circles is: “Was John L. Sullivan ever champion of the world?” This has been answered in the affirmative as well as the negative, noted critics disagreeing as to whether or not Sullivan really held the title. Tom Andrews of Milwaukee, a well-known sporting authority, declares Sullivan was in reality the champion. Andrews burrowed into ancient pugilistic history and unearthed the following facts to uphold him in his contention: In 1869 Tom Allen, heavyweight champion of England, and Mike McCoole, an American, fought for the world’s championship near St. Louis, and McCpole won on a foul in the ninth round. In 1873 Allen and MeCoole staged another battle and on that occasion Allen was the victor. That victory restored the championship to him. Late in 1873 Joe Goss of England came to America and fought Allen near Covington, Ky. Goss won on a foul in the twenty-seventh round. In 1880 Paddy Ryan fought Goss at Collier, W. V~., and won the decision in the eighty-seventh round. February 7, 1882, John L. Sullivan met Ryan at Mississippi City for $5,000 a side and knocked out Ryan in the ninth round. Goss beat Allen, Ryan beat Goss, and Sullivan beat Ryan, so why shouldn’t Sullivan be looked upon as the world’s champion after his victory over Ryan? asks Andrews. ... . . . Sullivan’s victory over Ryan, and the victories of the other champions before Ryan and Sullivan were under the old London prize ring rules, but those were the rules that really governed in those days, and it was under these rules that champions were made and unmade. In further argument that Sullivan was champion of the world Andrews cites these facts: In 1885 Jem Smith claimed the

heavyweight title of England. Jack Davis rose up to dispute it, and the men were matched for a SSOO side bet. Smith won and was acclaimed the heavyweight champion of England. December 19, 1887, Smith and Kilrain. an American, fought 106 rounds to a draw in Isle des Souverains, France. July 8, 1889, Sullivan and Kilrain met in Richburg, Miss., and fought with bare knuckles, as had Smith and Kilrain. Sullivan defeated Kilrain in 75 rounds, the battle lasting two hoars and sixteen minutes. Smith was only the champion of England, asserts Andrews. The best he could do against Kilrain was a draw. Sullivan, however, beat Kilrain, so why shouldn’t Sullivan have been entitled to the world's championship without a question of doubt? Some folks, mostly English, were of the opinion that Charlie Mitchell shared the championship honors with Sullivan because he held Sullivan to a 39-round draw in Chantilly, France, but Mitchell didn’t share the honor. The championship was Sullivan’s until he was beaten; a draw scored by an opponent against the champion does not halve the championship. Tbe rule on this question is plain. Sullivan’s fight with Kilrain was the last bare-knuckle battle. Boxing gloves were introduced shortly afterward and Sullivan popularized them by using them in all his theatrical work thereafter. He traveled all over the world, met all comers and beat them all until Jim Corbett crossed his path. - - Corbett certainly was entitled to the world’s championship because he fought Peter Jackson, the negro, who was champion of Australia, to a 61round draw in 1891; beat Sullivan in 21 rounds September 7, 1892, and January 26, 1904, scored a knockout in three rounds over Charlie Mitchell, who was then champion of England.

John L. Sullivan.