John L. Sullivan - Most Underrated Comeback Ever?

That was definitely a great win for John L. Sullivan. He nearly came back from the Dead to regain his position as undisputed Bare Knuckle Champion. The Police Gazette had recognized Jake Kilrain as the Heavyweight London Prize Ring Bare Knuckle World Champion at the time.

 

Sullivan’s accomplishments are being lost to time and the advancement of the sport. He is the man that made the sport what it is, and should never be forgotten.

 

Was he really 215 for the Kilrain fight? The man was an ox. And the abuse he put his body through was extraordinary. I still rate him Top 10 ATG heavyweight. With enough strong waters, I rate him Number 1.

 

Really he recruited what might have been the best man for the job, Muldoon knew his s*** to say the least. The article written of their time at Champion's Rest is one of my favorite pieces of boxing journalism, up there with The Loser.

 

Most never rate him that high, very interesting.

 

They fought more than two hours in the sweltering summer heat and humidity of Mississippi. Having grown up in the South and been in that part of southern Mississippi that time of year, it’s not for the faint of heart.

 

And from memory, Kilrain offered him a draw after he threw up once, he refused.
Kilrain only allowed the fight to be stopped after a ringside Dr. told his team that if he fought on he would likely die!
Tough is putting it mildly.

 

1. John L Sullivan who's conditioner was William Muldoon prepared and trained him for his fight with Jake Kilrain had to isolate Sullivan away from bars and train in seclusion when Sullivan started training he was a physical wreck who was 240lbs and after the intensive training camp weighed in at 207lbs. Sullivan beat Kilrain but reverted back to drinking and became vastly overweight after retirement. Sullivan later became an evangelist and teetotaller and preached about the evils of alcohol.

 

Can you please link them for us?

 

Seamus, methinks you might have partaken in a small quiff of the water you alluded to in your post.
you little tease.....
stay safe amigo.

 

Absolutely my friend,

https://www.bareknuckleboxinghalloffame.com/interview The Sullivan and Muldoon article that covers his training before the Kilrain fight.

https://deadspin.com/the-loser-the-most-honest-sports-story-ever-written-772260237 The Loser, of Floyd Patterson is maybe the most sincere piece of journalism ever written on a champion.

 

The argument can be made, and none other than Mr. Pollack has done so, that Sullivan at his prime put more distance between himself and the contenders vying for his crown than any heavyweight champion since.

That's quite an argument.

 

Sort of the opposite of Green Bay Packers great Paul Hornung, who (in)famously once said: “When I read about the evils of drinking, I gave up reading.”