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Last Tuesday marked the 125th anniversary of the almost mythical heavyweight prize-fight between John L. Sullivan and Jake Kilrain.
It was the last bareknuckle tussle – held under London Prize Rules – before gloves were formally embraced.
With prize fighting banning in all 38 states in the US, the pair met at a secret location in Richburg, Mississippi before a select gathering of less than 3,000. Battle commenced at 10 o’clock in the morning with temperatures above 100 degrees!
Despite its illegal status, the fight generated huge media attention. Champion Sullivan – a hard drinking brawler from Boston who routinely stormed bars bragging: ‘I can lick any sonofabitch in the house’ –was America’s first sporting superstar and reputedly grossed over $1million from boxing.
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It was the last bareknuckle tussle – held under London Prize Rules – before gloves were formally embraced.
With prize fighting banning in all 38 states in the US, the pair met at a secret location in Richburg, Mississippi before a select gathering of less than 3,000. Battle commenced at 10 o’clock in the morning with temperatures above 100 degrees!
Despite its illegal status, the fight generated huge media attention. Champion Sullivan – a hard drinking brawler from Boston who routinely stormed bars bragging: ‘I can lick any sonofabitch in the house’ –was America’s first sporting superstar and reputedly grossed over $1million from boxing.
[Click Here To Read More]
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