Sullivan fight of the week Sullivan Elliot

Jimmy Elliot was a 37 year old London Prize Ring veteran, who had held the American title, before serving a nine year prison sentence for Robbery and Assault with Intent to Kill. After he got out of prison Elliot defeated Richard Egan in a gloved bout, putting him back into contention. When Sullivan declared that he would not defend his title under LPR rules, the National Police Gazette looked at Elliot as a possible successor.

He was matched to face Sullivan on Independence Day 1882, in Washington Park New York, in a rainy day. The fight was scheduled for four rounds with 30 seconds rest between rounds, and Sullivan offered Elliot $500 if he could last the distance. Hard gloves were used at Elliot's request. Women were admitted for free! The 6' 1'' Ellitot is said to have weighted 185lbs to Sullivan's 195lbs.

Round 1
Sullivan forced the fight, putting Elliot of the defensive, and avoiding most of the blows that Elliot threw in return. Elliot went down repeatedly, sometimes from blows, and sometimes through slipping on the wet boards. Elliot grabbed at Sullivan's legs when he went down. In one knockdown Elliot fell against the ring post cutting his back, and he ended the round bleeding from the mouth.

Round 2
Elliot was unable to get away from Sullivan, taking a beating on the ropes. Elliot slipped, and as he got up, Sullivan felled him with a blow to the neck. Elliot got up bleeding badly from his face, and staggered Sullivan with a right hand. Sullivan fought back dropping Elliot, and when the round ended, Elliot's second had to help him into his chair. Elliot was struggling to breathe because of the bleeding, and his corner man sucked the blood out of his nose, and spat it upon the boards.

Round 3
Sensing his opponents condition, Sullivan went in for the kill, and Elliot retreated. Sullivan attacked Elliot's nose, neck, and body, sending him down again. Elliot got up and after another exchange, Sullivan ended the fight with a right hand,some said to the neck and some said to the chin. Elliot was left hanging senseless over the lowest ring rope.

Elliot seems to have been unconscious for more than a minute, before he was revived with restoratives. His first words when he regained consciousness were "Where am I?" Sullivan gave Elliot $50 despite his failure to last the distance, because he thought that he had put up a brave fight.

 

The New York Sun wrote:
"Mr Sullivan has more than satisfied his friends, that he has improved greatly in the science of boxing. His rapid style of fighting is decidedly effective."

The National Police Gazette withdrew its recognition of Sullivan as champion, due to his refusal to defend the title under LPR rules. They recognized Tug Wilson as the new champion, and Sullivan consequently arranged to fight Wilson only two weeks after the Elliot fight!

This was not the last that was heard of Elliot:

The National Police Gazette would later try to match Elliot and Wilson for the vacant title, but Wilson returned to the UK.

There was even talk of a Sullivan Elliot rematch with gloves, after Elliot knocked out Captain James Dalton.

Less than a year later, Elliot was shot and killed by a Chicago gambler named Jere Dunn, who successfully claimed self defense in court. Sullivan then boxed an exhibition against Joe Coburn to raise $100 for Elliot's mother.

 

So what are my thoughts on Elliot?

He was obviously an LPR specialist, and well past his best by the time he came up against Sullivan. Despite this he seems to have adapted to Queensbury rules surprisingly well. He knocked out Captain James Dalton in 46 seconds, which is a lot faster than either John L Sullivan or Peter Jackson managed it? Perhaps he is a fighter who could have been something special in the 1870s, if he had managed to stay out of trouble with the law.

 

That is true corner dedication!

 

I learned a few new things about Elliot myself by writing it.