John L. Sullivan
John Lawrence Sullivan (October 15, 1858 – February 2, 1918), known simply as
John L. among his admirers, and dubbed the "
Boston Strong Boy" by the press, was an American
boxer. He is recognized as the first
heavyweight champion of
gloved boxing, ''
de facto'' reigning from February 7, 1882, to September 7, 1892. He is also generally recognized as the last heavyweight champion of
bare-knuckle boxing under the
London Prize Ring Rules, being a cultural icon of the
late 19th century America, arguably the first boxing
superstar and one of the world's highest-paid athletes of his era. Newspapers' coverage of his career, with the latest accounts of his championship fights often appearing in the
headlines, and as cover stories, gave birth to
sports journalism in the United States and set the pattern internationally for covering boxing events in media, and
photodocumenting the prizefights.
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