In the Ring With John L. Sullivan

[apollack]

Now available: In the Ring With John L. Sullivan

John L. Sullivan was so special that he made gloved boxing, the type of boxing we watch today, a popular national and international money-making sport. He was the man who started gloved boxing on its path towards acceptance in the sporting world as the form of fighting that could determine a true champion. He boasted that he could knock out anyone within 4 rounds, and he was good enough to do it; inspiring awe in all those who saw him. John L. Sullivan was the world’s first sports superstar.

Still, in order to convince skeptical old-school fight purists of his right to be called champion, Sullivan occasionally had to engage in bareknuckle contests under the traditional London Prize Ring Rules. The only problem was that fighting, and especially bareknuckle fighting, was illegal.

This book follows Sullivan's career path, fight by fight, blow by blow, in glorious detail, using local next-day primary sources. Also covered is Sullivan's personal life, training, negotiations, legal battles, fight hype, and all of the extracurricular activities outside the ring that helped make him the world's most famous man. The 490 page book contains over 200 rare contemporary lithographs, drawings, photographs, and advertisements.


http://www.amazon.com/Ring-John-L-Sulli ... .+sullivan

[Caractacus]

But what I want to know is , how is the biography of "Big Wheeler" coming along ?

[ewenhay]

I've got Adam's previous Sullivan book. Does this one significantly differ?

[apollack]

It is a new and improved version. I think it is better written, has added info on the fights, more on his personal life and outside-the-ring life, much more on the hype leading up to the Kilrain fight, WAY more photos and lithographs - over 200, particularly from the National Police Gazette, it is hardcover, and it includes the Corbett fight.

[ewenhay]

Thanks Adam for taking the time to reply. And good luck with the book.

[Caractacus]

But what I want to know is , how is the biography of "Big Wheeler" coming along ?

That would be Jess Willard BTW(thats what Doc Kearns had refered to him as)

[Caractacus]

What I have been wondering lately about John L. Sullivan is,
I was watching the DVD of GENTLEMAN JIM starring Errol Flynn
with Ward Bond as John L.
in it when Sullivan is in his training camp ,he knocks someone down with a big right hand
and when the dude hits the canvas Sullivan did like a little thing with his hips
to exclamate the knock down.
Is it known if Jawnel do that in real life ?
(sort of like what happens at 0:07,except only one thrust)


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2bz-Qet4BDM