John L. Sullivan

October 15, 2008

You may Listen or download this story in .mp3 format. or as a .wav file

Profile America — Wednesday, October 15th. One of America’s first sports heroes — prize fighter John L. Sullivan — was born on this day 150 years ago at Roxbury, Massachusetts. He won more than 450 fights in his career and at one point, challenged any man in the nation to fight him for $500. He won the last bare-knuckle prize fight in 1889 — a brutal, 75-round affair. Three years later, Sullivan took part in the first championship fight with gloves, fought under the Marquess of Queensberry rules — losing to James L. Corbett. In the U.S. today, close to 6.5 million people attend boxing matches each year.  You can find these and more facts about America from the U.S. Census Bureau online at <www.census.gov>.

Sources: Chase's Calendar of Events 2008, p. 515
Statistical Abstract of the United States 2008, t. 1219
http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/2008edition.html