John L. Sullivan Arrested
On Tuesday, November 18, 1884, World Heavyweight Bare-Knuckle Prizefighting Champion John L. Sullivan fought Al Greenfield at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Sullivan needed to overcome more than just his opponent in this bout.
The men originally agreed to fight on Monday, November 17, 1884, but New York City authorities threatened the men with arrest. The wrangling with the city delayed the fight for one day but promoters rescheduled the fight for the next evening.
John L. Sullivan in His Prime from the Public Domain
As fans made their way to Madison Square Garden on the evening of November 18th, they saw a large police presence outside the arena on every side. The police deterred some fans, but hundreds filed into the arena to see the bout.
The New York authorities sent New York Police Captain Alfred S. Williams, the infamous “Clubber” Williams of the Tenderloin District, to stop the fight. Williams enlisted over a hundred New York Police Officers, who he stationed inside and outside of Madison Square Garden.
Despite the heavy police presence, Sullivan and Greenfield entered the arena and then the ring. Captain Williams sat near ringside with several squads of officers close by.
Until the first decade of the Twentieth Century, New York banned professional boxing, gloved contests. Like every other state, New York completely banned bare-knuckle prizefighting. Police often arrested fighters before they could take part in a bare-knuckle prizefights.
Captain Williams allowed Sullivan and Greenfield to enter the ring. As participants and organizers glanced at Williams, the announcer explained to the crowd that Sullivan and Greenfield agreed to fight without a referee since New York Police may arrest everyone involved.
The announcer rang the bell to start the first round. Captain Williams remained seated and watched the beginning of the bout.
Greenfield charged at Sullivan but missed with his first blow. Sullivan struck Greenfield, who stepped back, then charged back at Sullivan. Greenfield did not appear afraid of Sullivan, an unusual occurrence. Sullivan ended the first round by knocking Greenfield to the ground in Greenfield’s own corner.
After a one-minute rest, Greenfield charged Sullivan to start the second round. Greenfield landed several blows causing the champion to take a rare step back. Greenfield clinched to prevent Sullivan’s return blows. The fans in the Garden hissed Greenfield, who released Sullivan.
Sullivan unleashed a withering barrage of blows. As Greenfield staggered, Sullivan closed in for the knockout. At this point, Captain Williams entered the ring stepping between both men. Williams said something to both men, who returned to their corners.
Williams’ actions confused the fans, who thought Sullivan and Greenfield were returning to their corners for the rest period between the second and third rounds. However, Williams arrested Sullivan, while Williams’ Sergeant arrested Greenfield.
Williams never explained why he let Sullivan and Greenfield fight for two rounds before arresting them. Williams must have wanted to see the great John L. Sullivan fight too.
Sullivan fought a mixture of gloved and bare-knuckle bouts until 1889. Sullivan declared he would only fight gloved bouts after his title defense with Jake Kilrain. Sullivan ushered heavyweight boxing into gloved contests. New York allowed professional boxing a decade later.
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Sources: New York Times (New York City, New York), November 19, 1884, p. 1
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