SULLIVAN, JOHN L.-GEORGE ROBINSON POLICE GAZETTE POSTCARD (RARE-1884)

HISTORY: On March 6, 1884 at Mechanics Pavilion in San Francisco world heavyweight champion John L. Sullivan fought George Robinson in the featured match. Sullivan won by disqualification in the 4th round.

George M. Robinson was the sixth of champion John L. Sullivan's challengers during a nationwide tour offering money to men who could last four rounds in the ring with him. He was an experienced professional, having recently beaten Herbert (Maori) Slade and was offered five hundred dollars and a percentage of the ticket sales (which were being sold at as much as five dollars apiece and eventually amounted to a total of $20,000) if he could stay in the ring with Sullivan. Robinson trained hard for the fight, while Sullivan's training included drinking at the a local pub and getting into an impromptu brawl with Slade, with whom he got into an argument.

The actual bout took place at the Mechanics Pavilion in San Francisco, and attracted an estimated 17,000 people to the site. Only 12,000 could be accommodated, while the rest waited outside. The referee was one Thomas Chandler.

Robinson put up nothing resembling a fight, however, and seemed only concerned with surviving the distance. He turned his back and ran around the ring to get away from the champion on several occasions and intentionally fell to the floor eight times in the opening round to keep from being hit. Sullivan, slow of foot and getting winded, became increasingly frustrated. In the fourth round, he made the illegal move of catching Robinson in a headlock and tossing him to the floor. Regardless of the foul, Robinson continued on and became Sullivan's first opponent in over a year to last the four round distance. The San Francisco Chronicle later reported that Robinson had fallen on purpose sixty-six times in the twelve minutes of fighting. He was booed throughout the proceedings by the local crowd, though he did receive $5,000 for his troubles.

Offered here is an exceedingly rare original Police Gazette postcard which advertises this fight.

FULL DESCRIPTION: This is an exceedingly rare original Police Gazette postcard which advertises this fight. The postcard is used and postmarked March 9, 1884, three days after the fight. Some spot stains and mild creasing. Mild corner wear. Bold, clear print. No tears. 3" x 5."

Rare, we have never seen another.