Here’s how I think the Heavyweight lineage should be recognised up to 1908: Sullivan 1885 - Jun 1890 (retires) Sullivan Mar 1892 - Sep 1892 Corbett Sep 1892 - Nov 1895 (retires) Fitzsimmons Feb 1896 - Jun 1899 Jeffries Jun 1899 - May 1905 (retires) Tommy Burns May 1907 - Dec 1908 Jack Johnson Dec 1908 - My reasoning is as follows: Sullivan becomes champion by beating all claimants to the American and English titles by 1885. (Mitchell, Greenfield, Burke, Ryan, McAffrey) In June 1887, Sullivan is stripped of his belt by the Police Gazette, who award it to Jake Kilrain. Sullivan retains his lineal title and becomes undisputed by beating Police Gazette champion Jake Kilrain in 1889. Sullivan retires in June 1890, leaving the title vacant. Peter Jackson, Joe McAuliffe, Frank Slavin and James J Corbett are the main contenders. Slavin eliminates McAuliffe from contention in September 1890 and wins the Police Gazette belt. He challenges Sullivan but is rebuffed due to Sullivan’s retirement. Corbett and Jackson fight to a draw in May 1891, and Slavin beats Kilrain in June 1891 to defend his belt. In November 1891, Sullivan challenges Slavin and deposits a forfeit. In January 1892, when Slavin cannot get his financial backers to support him, the Police Gazette strips Slavin of their belt and returns it to Sullivan. In March 1892, Sullivan signs articles to fight Corbett in September. As nobody has established a new lineage during his retirement, Sullivan reclaims his title. In May 1892, Peter Jackson beats Frank Slavin to establish himself as the clear #1 contender. In September 1892, James J Corbett beat John L Sullivan for the lineal title. In 1895, Peter Jackson retires having failed to agree terms with Corbett. In November 1895, James J Corbett retires, leaving the title vacant. He nominated Peter Maher as his successor, but Maher declines and is not widely recognised as champion. The top contenders are Peter Maher and Bob Fitzsimmons. In Feb 1896, Bob Fitzsimmons beat Peter Maher for the vacant title and the Police Gazette belt, establishing a new lineage. In March 1896, retired champion Corbett challenged Fitzsimmons. In August 1896, the Police Gazette stripped Fitzsimmons of their belt for failing to answer Corbett’s challenge, but he retained the lineal title. In September 1896, Corbett and Fitzsimmons signed articles to fight for the title and the vacant Police Gazette belt in March 1897. In December 1896, Fitzsimmons defended against Tom Sharkey and was controversially disqualified due to a fix. He retained his title. In March 1897, Fitzsimmons beat Corbett to remove all doubts around his title, and regained the Police Gazette belt. In June 1899, James J Jeffries beats Bob Fitzsimmons to win the title and the Police Gazette belt. In May 1905, Jeffries retired, leaving the title vacant. The top contenders were Marvin Hart and Bob Fitzsimmons. In July 1905, Hart beat Jack Root and claimed the title, but was not widely accepted as he had not fought Fitz. The Police Gazette belt remained vacant. In December 1905, Jack O’Brien beat Bob Fitzsimmons and claimed the title, but was not widely accepted as he had not fought Hart. In Feb 1906, Tommy Burns beat Marvin Hart, and claimed the title. Again, most people considered the title vacant as O’Brien had a rival claim. In November 1906, Burns and O’Brien met in a championship fight, but drew, leaving the title vacant. In May 1907, Tommy Burns beat Jack O’Brien and established a new lineage. In December 1908, Jack Johnson beat Tommy Burns. Thoughts welcome!
