John L. Sullivan

John L. Sullivan
Sullivan in 1882
Born	John Lawrence Sullivan (1858-10-15)October 15, 1858 Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
Died	February 2, 1918(1918-02-02) (aged 59) Abington, Massachusetts, U.S.
Other names	Boston Strong Boy His Fistic Holiness
Statistics
Weight(s)	Heavyweight
Height	5 ft 10+1⁄2 in (179 cm)[1]
Reach	74 in (188 cm)
Stance	Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights	46
Wins	42
Wins by KO	32
Losses	1
Draws	3

John Lawrence Sullivan (October 15, 1858 – February 2, 1918), known simply as John L. among his admirers, and dubbed the "Boston Strong Boy" by the press, was an American boxer. He is recognized as the first heavyweight champion of gloved boxing, de facto reigning from February 7, 1882, to September 7, 1892. He is also generally recognized as the last heavyweight champion of bare-knuckle boxing under the London Prize Ring Rules, being a cultural icon of the late 19th century America, arguably the first boxing superstar and one of the world's highest-paid athletes of his era. Newspapers' coverage of his career, with the latest accounts of his championship fights often appearing in the headlines, and as cover stories, gave birth to sports journalism in the United States and set the pattern internationally for covering boxing events in media, and photodocumenting the prizefights.^[2]