Gentleman Jim KOs Boston Strong Boy

John L. Sullivan had dominated the prize ring during his career. Possessing a record of 40 wins, no losses and two draws, “The Boston Strong Boy” was considered invincible. Sullivan won the world championship in 1882 and dispensed all challengers culminating with the Fight of the Nineteenth Century with Jake Kilrain.

After defeating Kilrain in this epic bout, John L. Sullivan returned to the theatrical circuit and his hard partying ways. Sullivan quickly fell out of the tremendous condition that William Muldoon had helped him achieve. Despite these developments, fight pundits believed John L. Sullivan could still beat any challenger. John L. fully shared this sentiment.

James J. Corbett, a one-time San Francisco bank teller known as “Gentleman Jim”, quickly rose through the ranks to become John L.’s number one challenger. After “Gentleman Jim” boxed to a 62 round draw with “The Black Giant” Peter Jackson, who may have been the best boxer in the world, smart money said “Gentleman Jim” could at least survive long enough to give “The Boston Strong Boy” a good match.

“Gentleman Jim” had other ideas. Corbett felt his scientific style of boxing was the silver bullet for Sullivan’s powerful but wilder, sloppy style. Corbett kept calling Sullivan out until the 33 year-old Sullivan decided to teach the “young whelp” a lesson. A lesson would be learned on September 7, 1892 but the 26 year-old Corbett filled the role of teacher.

Sullivan and Corbett met in the center of the ring at 9:07 p.m. for the customary hand shake. When the bell rung to start the fight, a familiar pattern emerged in the first round and continued to the end of the fight. Using the strategy employed by Charlie Mitchell, who Sullivan called “the world’s greatest sprinter”, Corbett ducked and parried John L.’s stronger blowers.

The rusty Sullivan’s four years away from the ring showed. Sullivan was unable to adjust to the more active “Gentleman Jim’s” style. Corbett ducked or parried, peppered Sullivan with jabs and crosses, then Corbett moved out of harm’s way. By the twentieth round, the winded Sullivan was showing the strains of the battle.

Corbett’s manager told him that “he is ready to go Jim”. Corbett and Sullivan met to start the twenty-first round when “Gentleman Jim” feinted with his left to the body, which dropped “The Boston Strong Boy’s” guard, allowing Corbett to his Sullivan flush with a right cross. Sullivan crashed to the canvas.

Sullivan attempted to get to his feet but crashed face first to the canvas where Sullivan lay past the ten count. Eventually John L. recovered and thanked the crowd for their support over the years. John L. finished by saying that he fought one too many times and James J. Corbett was the better man. Corbett was the heavyweight boxing champion at 26 years of age.

John L. Sullivan retired for good. Corbett reigned as world champion for five years. Both men spent considerable time working the theater circuit during and after their careers wound down.

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