John L. Sullivan

Hall of Fame

⭐ International Boxing Hall of Fame

John L. Sullivan was born in Roxbury, Massachusetts (now part of Boston) in 1858, the son of Irish immigrants, and became the first universally recognized heavyweight champion of the world — and the last to hold the title under bare-knuckle rules. He won the bare-knuckle championship in 1882 by defeating Paddy Ryan and defended it across the country in legendary barnstorming tours, becoming one of the most famous men in America and the first U.S. athlete to earn more than a million dollars. In 1892 he lost the gloved-era title to "Gentleman" Jim Corbett under Marquess of Queensberry rules — the fight now regarded as the beginning of modern boxing. Sullivan retired from the ring as one of the most iconic sports figures of the 19th century and was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1990.