Sullivan, John Lawrence, 1858-1918.

Life and reminiscences of a nineteenth century gladiator / by John L. Sullivan ; with reports of physical examinations and measurements, illustrated by full-page half-tone plates and by anthropometrical chart by Dudley A. Sargent. (London ; New York : George Routledge and Sons, 1892)

John L. Sullivan was born in Boston. He began fighting in 1878 and turned professional in 1880. Most fights in America at the time were bare-knuckle affairs, fought under London Prize Ring rules. In 1882 he won the title of Heavyweight Champion of the United States. He became World heavyweight champion after winning a 75-round fight against Jake Kilrain on 8 July 1889.

Sullivan fought many exhibition matches and toured extensively in the US and Britain. In 1891 he was in Australia where he appeared on stage as a boxer in the play, Honest hearts and willing hands at the Opera House in Bourke Street, Melbourne. After retiring from the ring in 1892 he became a professional actor and vaudeville performer.

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