Did John L. quit vs McCaffrey ?

No. I've read a few reports, and in none of them does Sullivan quit, nor does McCaffrey dominate any of the rounds. In the last round, like every round prior, McCaffrey was on survival mode.

Sullivan dominated the fight, but he also felt defeated. McCaffrey had lasted the entire duration, and he was incredibly proud of that. Sullivan resented this fact.

https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/...frey&y=15&x=7&dateFilterType=yearRange&page=1

 

Sullivan had 40lbs on McCaffrey.

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1885-08-29 The Evening Post (Cincinnati, OH) (page 4)
Seventh round--Sullivan is manifestly forcing fighting. He lead out for McCaffrey's head, but McCaffrey ducked and they clinched. McCaffrey now reached for Sullivan lightly with his left, but Sullivan forced him into the corner. Both fell against the ropes, McCaffrey presenting a bold front, but Sullivan still forcing the fighting. McCaffrey led back, but failed to reach his man. Sullivan then planted a heavy one on McCaffrey's neck; straight licks from McCaffrey replied with a square blow on Sullivan's forehead. Another clinch followed. The friends of McCaffrey then rushed to his corner, congratulating him with unbounded enthusiasm for his magnificent showing, and the applause from the audience was most enthusiastic. Everybody seemed carried away.
The decision of the referee could not be heard, some claiming a draw, others a decision in favor of Sullivan.
The referee declared Sullivan the winner.


1885-08-30 The Cincinnati Enquirer (Cincinnati, OH) (page 1)
Seventh Round--The opening of the last round of the contest was much the same as the termination of the preceding bout. Both men played warily and moved about like cats waiting an opportunity to pounce upon prey. After a half minute of careful reconnoitering Sullivan led and rushed at McCaffrey, who quickly jumped and avoided the blows. Sullivan again attempted to plant his dukes in McCaffrey's face, and the latter again kept out of harm's way. Tom Delay and Chambers again urged Sullivan to go at McCaffrey. Sullivan did so, but McCaffrey dodged, and in the clinch that followed both went to the floor, Sullivan being on top. On resuming both sparred for wind, and were awaiting an opening when time was called.


1885-08-30 Los Angeles Sunday Times (Los Angeles, CA) (page 1)
Associated Press Dispatches to The Times.
Sixth Round--Sullivan now seemed desperate; it was apparent that he was growing weary while McCaffrey was fresher. Sullivan closed and they gave a number of in blows and separated. Sullivan kept pushing his adversary around. When near the ropes they clinched and both fell. Rising, Sullivan closed again, but this time McCaffrey got away without a fall and delivered a light blow on Sullivan, who sent a terrific blow back, but McCaffrey ducked and escaped and the sixth round expired. Instantly there was a shout all over the vast crowd, which by this time had swelled to seven thousand in honor of McCaffrey, whom all supposed had won the match. He had stood up against Sullivan through six rounds and seemed able and willing to go on to a finish. He was overwhelmed with congratulations while Sullivan was left to be cared for by his stage attendants only. As the crowd understood the terms, it was a draw and thus a virtual victory for the young Pittsburgher, but, after some time when three-fourths of the people had started for the train and while the remainder were in loud discussion of the merits of the match, Mr. Muldoon made an announcement, which only a few heard, that the referee had decided to give the match to Sullivan on the ground that he had made a greater number of points. This announcement was wholly inaudible at the press seats and various versions of it were circulated. Among others it was said the decision was given because of a foul. Sullivan left the platform with no demonstration in his honor, but McCaffrey's friends were jubilant, notwithstanding the referee's adverse decision, and they lifted him to their shoulders and bore him amid the cheers of the spectators to his carriage.


1885-08-30 The New York Herald (New York, NY) (page 14)
SIXTH AND LAST ROUND.
The Pittsburger opened by a tap on Sullivan's ribs, but was driven to his corner, where they clinched and both went down heavily, Sullivan on top. Upon arising McCaffrey struck blindly at his antagonist, catching him on the neck, to which the latter retaliated with a straight one from the shoulder upon McCaffrey's forehead. A clinch ensued, McCaffrey freeing himself from Sullivan's grasp and retiring to his corner, surrounded by his friends and amid the cheers of the spectators, who admired his plucky fighting.


1885-08-30 The Sun (New York, NY) (page 2)
On the sixth and last round they talked a spell, and then Sullivan made a sudden and savage rush. Dominick was unable to get away, and they fell together. Up again on his feet McCaffrey lead off, but Sullivan stopped him, and hit him in the face. Dominick returned the blow with faint interest. All the blows, however, were very feeble. After a weak rally and a clinch or two time was called.
Thereupon the referee decided that Sullivan had won the fight by a foul, McCaffrey having kicked him when they fell together. Certainly none of the reporters saw the kick, although one may have been made. The decision gave much dissatisfaction, and some persons were disposed to call the whole thing "Hippodrome." And so the great fight is over. It leaves McCaffrey with more lustre than he had before he entered it, and it fades Sullivan's laurels. The receipts were over $20,000.


1885-08-30 The World (New York, NY) (page 1)
LAST ROUND.
In the seventh and last round McCaffrey went at Sullivan and hit him in the face and stomach. Sullivan rushed in return and a clinch ensued. Several clinches followed without either getting in a clean blow, and in one clinch fell to the floor. Both were sparring when time was called. Immediately they went to their corners Sullivan's seconds got to the referee and importuned him for a decision. The excitement was intense. The mob fairly howled and McCaffrey was cheered time and time again. The Pittsburger was preparing to continue the battle when the referee said, "Sullivan was the best of it." O'Brien said that nothing but a draw could be made if the fight was ended there and then. McCaffrey asked for at least one more round. For some unaccountable reason the referee decided the match ended.

 

You may not prefer it but that is what the prime specimen of the masculine species looks like.

 

It'd difficult to figure what happened exactly, but I think one of the rounds (5th?) was accidentally cut short after McCaffrey's knockdown, less than 2 minutes having expired since the start of the round, I think they figured the mistake and there was less than 1-minute rest before they were sent back. Some reporters treated this as two rounds, the others as one round. Thus the disagreement about whether it was 6 or 7 rounds total.

 

Looks a bit like me.