John L. Sullivan vs. Enos Phillips

John L Sullivan beat Enos Phillips 150 lbs by KO in round 4

• Date: 1884-05-02
• Location: Nashville, Tennessee, USA

This bout was a part of Sullivan's exhibition tour of the U.S. offering money to locals who could last four rounds in the ring with him. Phillips, of Nashville, Tennessee, was Sullivan's third challenger in a period of four days. He was a replacement for one William E. Stern, Sullivan's scheduled opponent, who did not appear for the match at Buckingham Theater. Phillips, a teenager from the audience of 1,400 volunteered, but weighed only 150 pounds, compared to Sullivan's 230. In light of the eighty pound weight difference, Sullivan hesitated to accept the challenge, but eventually relented to please the crowd. He carried the challenger for three rounds, moving and lightly sparring. In the fourth, Sullivan finally attacked, flooring the boy three times before the local police interfered.