Sullivan fight of the week Sullivan Burke

Jack Burke, known as the "Little Irish Lad", had his first fight at the age of 15, and by the time he fought Sullivan at the age of 23, he had established himself as one of the top gloved fighters of the era. He fought Charley Mitchell to three draws, one with bare knuckles, and two with gloves. Wins over Captain James Dalton and Alf Greenfield put him on a collision course with the champion.

The fight was held outdoors at the Chicago Driving Park. Sullivan's weigh has been given as various figures from 210 lbs to 237 lbs, and he was described as being out of shape. Burke's weight was given as 170 lbs, and he was described as "looking hard and firm like a race horse." Sullivan claimed in his biography that he "never trained a day for the fight", and there were reports that he "had to be roused from a drunken sleep" on the afternoon not the fight. The fight was scheduled for five rounds, and 4oz gloves were used. Sullivan was to receive 65% of the receipts, to Burkes 35%.

 

Round 1
Burke initially fought evasively, and then engaged Sullivan in an exchange, until he was knocked down. The Chicago Herald said that Burke was knocked down, but the Chicago Herald described is as more of a balance related thing. Burke got up and attacked Sullivan to the body, only to be dropped again, by a right hand to the shoulder.

Round 2
Burke fought more defensively, and countered Sullivan. Sullivan tried to rush Burke to the ropes, and threw him to the stage, but was unable to do much damage.

Round 3
Burke fought defensively, with Sullivan doing the attacking. According to the National Police Gazette, Sullivan was warned by the police, after his attacks became too aggressive.

Round 4
Sullivan finally cornered Burke, and threw him. Burke attacked with his left, and Sullivan dropped him with a body shot. Burke rose and Sullivan rushed in striking him to the side of a body, again knocking him to the floor. The Chicago Herald claimed that time was called a minute early by mistake. When the fighters were sent out again, Sullivan rushed Burke to his corner, and Burke is said to have "dropped once or twice to avoid punishment". It is possible that the master of ceremonies called time early, in order to avoid police interference.

Round 5
Sullivan rushed at Burke, and sent him down. After Burke rose Sullivan seems to have really gone after him. The Herald said that Burke "fought back hard, but had to drop to avoid punishment." The referee told Sullivan to return to his corner, but he did not obey. The Tribune said that Burke was dropped or went down five times in total. The round ended with both men in a clinch, and Sullivan was awarded the match.

 

The Tribune said:

"Sullivan is not as good as he was two years ago, but despite the abuses to which he has subjected himself, he is still head and shoulders above any pugilist in the ring today."

"Burke has proved himself worthy of his past record. "He made a creditable showing" "In point of skill and courage, he showed himself to be the champion's equal"

The New York Clipper wrote:

"It is manifest that Sullivan made no serious attempt to knock Burke out, being content to demonstrate his superiority as a fighter."

The Sun wrote:

"It was plain from the beginning, that Burke was no match for Sullivan, and this in spite of the manner in which the champion is abusing his magnificent constitution."

Sullivan said:

"Burke was a mere boy in my hands."

 

The more I look into this, the more I see a merry go round for the top contender spot, between Burke, Mitchell, Greenfield and McCaffrey.

What is striking is not that these men were outstanding contenders, but that they seem to have been the best available at the time, and they could do nothing against the champion.

I give Burke credit for fighting a more game fight than many of Sullivan's challengers, but the fact that Sullivan could take him so lightly, and still dominate him is shocking.

You have to wonder how good Sullivan could have been if he had never touche alcohol!

 

You should have picked up a number of key points from what I have written.

1. Sullivan only had five rounds to put Burke away, which is a hard ask against a world class opponent, even if you are a wrecking machine.

2. The master of ceremonies might well have intervened to prevent Sullivan from stopping Burke in the fourth round, and even if it was a mistake it obviously got Burke out of a tight spot.

3. Burke would have been stopped in most subsequent eras based on the knockdowns.

You just don't seem to be able to get your head past the Boxrec profile!

 

They couldn't have done much worse than they did against Sullivan.

He was as dominant as any champion has ever been.

 

You do indeed.

It is only fair to note however that Jeffries, Johnson, and Dempsey often had key career fights against men of similar size.

I also think that Sullivan was more comfortable against bigger slower opponents in some ways.