This match was scheduled but the police intervened! Had the police let this one go, how long does it last?
Sure Sullivan was old and shot. And yet, Sullivan was a big strong man with a lot of power, and we know power lasts a long time. Keep in mind Fitz was only about 175 pounds, so if a 240-pound Sullivan (he probably weighed that or more) came out and went for broke, who knows what happens when a natural puncher like that nails a smaller man. Odds are Fitz outboxes and stops him, but I think there would be an aura of possibility for Sullivan throughout. Even now, if you put an old George Foreman in there with a 170 pound guy, well, maybe he gets outboxed, but, it only takes one. Heck, as past-it and shot as Tyson is right now, even after all of the substance abuse, you put him in with a guy who is only 175 and I'll bet a lot of people would pay to see it and quite a few would wager on Tyson to score a KO.
I forget if Adam's book has a list of exhibitions that Sullivan fought after the New Orleans Corbett bout but there were quite a few... including facing Corbett a couple weeks later in New York.
This would probably have been a fight too far for the ageing Sullivan, for the reasons given. I will just add the caveat that Fitzsimmons would have been easier to catch than Corbett.
Then how did he knock out contender Jim McCormack (i think it was him). Years after this proposed bout almost took place? Sullivan is a very live chance in this if he train properly and he does have the power to cause an upset. I dont think it will happen, but he does have a decent chance. And champions, particualrly all time great ones, do have a habit of producing special things every now and then.
I didn't know about McCormack but an alkie trying to be an athlete, however great they were, is a nigh on impossibility - Hatton, Gascoigne, Higgins were my first thoughts. I must read up on Sully more. Hes such a fascinating character (and a grade A twat too).