Did a woman KO John L. Sullivan?

I don’t know but I got a good kick out of reading it.

 

Impossible to say.

We know that Sullivan fought exhibitions in 1902 and 1904, but there don't seem to be any surviving records of him doing so in 1903.

 

It was a good read indeed. And now I had better go wash the dishes before my woman spanks me

 

Ali beat a washerwoman named Chuvalo, so if John L lost this, it helps in comparing the two greats from different eras.

 

This is a great, great find. I loved her assessment of the moderns against the old-timers...


Asked whether she thought Corbett could hold his own against the top heavyweights of the modern era, Hessie stated, “Corbett was a stylish boxer and Joe Louis would have done a number on him. Marciano would have probably put up a good fight against Corbett, but I wouldn’t want to guess the winner.” As far as John L. was concerned, Donahue swore that Sullivan would have “pulverized Rocky Marciano and beaten Joe Louis in a good fight.” Generally speaking, she had a fairly dim view of the work ethic maintained by contemporary boxers. “Most of them look like dancing students,” she opined with a dash of acerbic wit thrown in for good measure. “Sometimes I think they’re going to kiss each other at the end of the fight.”

 

Don't know if true but I want it to be!

 

I think most of what’s written about John L Sullivan has to be considered borderline legend at this point.

 

Kinda reminds of that time Babe Ruth got struck out by a 17 year old girl allegedly

 

I came home one day and three blokes were battling with my wife in the street, aren't you going to help her shouted my neighbour, no i said, she is doing alright!!

 

It's possible, could be an exaggeration but it's a cute story.

 

Absolutely.

Any story about Sullivan sold copy during his career, and it is hard to separate fact from fiction.

 

Sounds accurate, he had a bad track record with civilians towards the end of his reign. I seem to recall an instance of a woman toppling over a drunk and belligerent Sullivan at a bar after he tried slapping her.

_______

Hessie retained fond memories of these celebrated sparring partners, with the exception of Corbett who Donahue recalls not being quite as chivalrous as his ring moniker would have you believe. “He didn’t want to seem to hold his punch. Once he got inside the ring he automatically started punching away—no matter who was in there with him."

Him just going in there and beating her ass is probably one of the most Jim Corbett things that I have ever read. Still a better title defense than Charlie Mitchell.

 

I can't think of a more unfitting nickname in boxing history than "Gentleman" Jim.

 

He was not very gentlemanly, but he was very eloquent, and very charming.

When he was put on trial after the second Sharkey fight, along with his manager, his manager shut up and let him do the talking.

Usually you would expect it to be the other way round.