He was pretty good. Perhaps the third best heavyweight in the world at one point, behind only Jackson and Corbett.
Frank Slavin came very close to being the lineal champion. He essentially had a fight with Sullivan agreed but his backers let him down and he fought and lost to Peter Jackson instead in one of the biggest fights held at the National Sporting Club. Corbett got the shot against Sullivan instead and dethroned him. Personally, I think the Sullivan who fought Corbett would have also lost to Slavin or Jackson.
John L was way past his due date and was ready to be taking at that point. Any one of the 3 would of been the next champ had they step in the ring with Sullivan the night Corbett beat him.
