John L. Sullivan, the Last Bareknuckle King

John L. Sullivan was the first sports superstar of America, heavyweight champion from 1882 and the best paid athlete of his age.

His 1889 defense against Jake Kilrain, fought bareknuckle in 100 degree heat at Richburg, Mississippi, lasted more than two hours and closed the bareknuckle era. In 1892 Gentleman Jim Corbett beat him under Queensberry gloves and opened modern boxing.

Trace the full lineage from Sullivan to today in the boxer database, where every champion profile links to the fights that made history..