This bout was scheduled for May 31. 1886. But it seems it didn´t come off. Or did it? Does anybody know something about that?
Sparrings in Chicago were banned by the city authorities in late May, so it couldn't come off even if it were an exhibition. All benefits were cancelled.
Well, I have it from cyberboxingzone which I assume is pretty accurate. There is also a sparring sexxion mentioned between these two later on. Would be quite interesting how this one looked. Is there anything in Adam Pollack´s Sullivan book?
I don't have Adam's book at hand. Non-local sources only mention Sullivan meeting Donovan and Ashton on May 4, 1888. The 1895 exhibition even Sullivan himself in his speech said they are only two "has beens", so the spectators shouldn't expect much.
Adam's book doesn't mention the 1886 scheduled exhibition, confirms that Sullivan only fought two exhibitions, with Donovan and Ashton, no sparring with Dempsey in 1888, and provides no description of the 1895 exhibition between the two.
From Cyber Boxing (written by boxing historians): "Many felt that Jack would beat the Heavyweight Champion, John L. Sullivan" -I am assuming this means they never fought "Jack Nonparei (called "Nonpareil", because no one could defeat him) Dempsey is considered by many as one of the greatest boxers pound-for-pound who ever fought in the ring." --I would not disagree, a Sullivan fight would have been great! "Bob Fitzsimmons pummelled him around the ring and begged him to concede before he was hurt any more. But Dempsey, the reigning champion, wouldn't give up so Fitzsimmons knocked him out." Had to throw this in as a tribute to Fitzsimmons' greatness!
