July 8, 1989 – It was the end of a brutal era in the world of boxing. Champion John L. Sullivan successfully defended his title in the last officially sanctioned, bare-knuckle world heavyweight prizefighting championship. His opponent, Jake Kilrain’s trainer literally threw in the towel to stop the fight after 75 x 1-minute rounds near Hattiesburg, Mississippi.
According to the IBHOF.com website Sullivan had apparently inherited his physical appearance and stoutness (5’10” tall and weighed 190 pounds) from his mother, who was pretty close to her grown son’s height and weight (Don’t tell her we said that.) Sullivan’s father, although a pretty good fighter himself, was barely 5’3”.
John L. Sullivan was apparently a very talented athlete as he played semi-pro baseball in the Boston area. So good that the Cincinnati Red Stockings offered him a contract, which he declined.
To find more great daily sports history make sure to check out the Sports Jersey Dispatch and Pigskin Dispatch.
More From Sports History Network
Laws, Lines, and Leaps: The Evolution of Sports Gambling Culture
It’s been a wild ride for sports gambling, from back-alley bets to billion-dollar industries,
The History of Legal Sports Betting Age in New Zealand
New Zealand has a unique standpoint when it comes to gambling. It views the
Memorable Moments in Manchester Derbies: Best Goals and Saves
There are few more intense rivalries on the English schedule than Manchester United vs.
The Clint Longley Game (Thanksgiving 1974)
With Thanksgiving right around the corner, my friend Dave DePaola and I have a
The Historical Impact of the Champions League on Modern Betting Trends
The UEFA Champions League has captivated soccer fans worldwide and transformed the landscape of
Bucky Lew: The Man Who Single-Handedly Integrated Every Single Role In Pro Hoops
As the man who single-handedly integrated every single role in pro hoops, Harry “Bucky”
The Joy of Collecting Sports Memorabilia
I began collecting sports memorabilia around 1968 or 1969, mostly football and baseball cards.
Discussing the 1975 AFC Championship Game
On January 4, 1976, the Oakland Raiders traveled into Three Rivers Stadium to take on the Pittsburgh Steelers for the championship of the American Football Conference.