A time traveller tells you he will let you travel back to watch ONE John L. Sullivan fight live….

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Melankomas, Feb 14, 2026.


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  1. McGrain

    McGrain Diamond Dog Staff Member

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    :lol:

    Corbett then. I find him more interesting than Sullivan anyway so seeing prime Corbett will be what I do.
     
    McGrain, Feb 15, 2026
    McGrain, Feb 15, 2026
    #16
  2. janitor

    janitor VIP Member

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    I would probably plead with you to take a different pick.

    While seeing a prime Corbett would be instructive, seeing prime Sullivan under any ruleset, would be much more so.

    Sullivan's era is completely lost, both in terms of footage and records, while Corbett's is only partially lost.

    Sullivan's era is the no mans land between the bare knuckle era, and teh gloved era that we largely understand.
     
    janitor, Feb 15, 2026
    janitor, Feb 15, 2026
    #17
    Melankomas likes this.
  3. McGrain

    McGrain Diamond Dog Staff Member

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    So you don't just me to go back in time with some maniac, that's not enough, now I have to go and see the fight you want me to see instead of the one I actually want to see?
     
    McGrain, Feb 15, 2026
    McGrain, Feb 15, 2026
    #18
  4. Melankomas

    Melankomas Corbett beats your favourite fighter

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    For me, the standout 2 choices are the first Ryan fight and the Kilrain fight, sure they were bare knuckle fights and it’d be more ideal to have a fight of Sullivan with gloves but these two stand out for different reasons; the first Ryan fight was by all accounts (including Sullivan’s iirc) his physical and athletic peak, and the Kilrain fight appears to be when he was the most clinical.

    Id also like to see some of those scientific exhibitions he had with Prof. Mike Donovan in the mid 1880s, who’s technique seems to have aged the finest compared to, say, Corbett.
     
    Melankomas, Feb 15, 2026
    Melankomas, Feb 15, 2026
    #19
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  5. janitor

    janitor VIP Member

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    I would respectfully make some recommendations.
     
    janitor, Feb 15, 2026
    janitor, Feb 15, 2026
    #20
  6. BCS8

    BCS8 VIP Member

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    Why would I watch that when we have this

    This content is protected
     
    BCS8, Feb 15, 2026
    BCS8, Feb 15, 2026
    #21
  7. Melankomas

    Melankomas Corbett beats your favourite fighter

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    It’s ****ed up either way
     
    Last edited: Feb 15, 2026
    Melankomas, Feb 15, 2026
    Melankomas, Feb 15, 2026
    #22
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  8. JackSilver

    JackSilver Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Can't say I'm that nostalgic or sentimental about watching Sullivan fight even though he is a historic first heavyweight champ so just his first title win will do
     
    JackSilver, Feb 16, 2026
    JackSilver, Feb 16, 2026
    #23
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