SULLIVAN, JOHN L. EXHIBITION BROADSIDE (1884)

John L. Sullivan was born on October 15, 1858 in Roxbury, Boston, MA. He is the link between bare knuckles and glove fighting and is considered to be one of the best heavyweights ever. He held the undisputed World Heavyweight Boxing Championship for ten years, winning it in 1882 from Paddy Ryan and losing it in 1892 to James J. Corbett. Other notable fighters he fought and defeated included Jake Kilrain, Charlie Mitchell and Dominic McCaffrey. Offered here is a very rare illustrated broadside of John L. Sullivan boxing an exhibition at Madison Square Garden against Professor John H. Laflin on November 10, 1884. Sullivan, it announces, will box 4 rounds under Marquis of Queensberry Rules, the Winner to take the whole of the Gate Receipts.
This broadside pictures Sullivan at the center. Print is bold. Minor fading of photo. Crease in lower right border. No tears. One minor scuff on middle left border. Professionally framed. 6" x 9 1/2."