SULLIVAN, JOHN L.-PADDY RYAN POLICE GAZETTE SUPPLEMENT POSTER (1891)

On February 7, 1882 at Mississippi City John L. Sullivan and Paddy Ryan battled for the American version of the heavyweight title. In Sullivan's era, no formal boxing titles existed. He became a champion after defeating Paddy Ryan in Mississippi City, near Gulfport, Mississippi on February 7, 1882. Modern authorities have retroactively labelled Ryan the "Heavyweight Champion of America", but he could certainly not be considered as much a "world champion" as Sullivan, having never contended internationally. Depending on the modern authority, Sullivan was first considered world heavyweight champion either in 1888 when he fought Charley Mitchell in France, or the following year when he knocked out Jake Kilrain in round 75 of a scheduled 80-round bout. Offered here is a rare color Police Gazette Supplement poster issued on December 12, 1891 in commemoration of this fight.
This color supplement poster is paper and pictures Sullivan, Ryan and Richard K. Fox of the Police Gazette. The fighters are depicted in the ring with the crowd facing the camera. Has the original folds. Minor edge and corner wear. Two small tears, but no paper loss. The color is bold and the images are sharp. Minor toning from age. Quite rare. 22 1/2" x 30."