John L. Sullivan vs. Mike Sheehan
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John L Sullivan beat Mike Sheehan 190 lbs by TKO in round 1
- Date: 1883-12-04
- Location: Davenport, Iowa, USA
This bout was part of Sullivan's grand exhibition tour of the U.S. after winning the title.
Sheehan was a Davenport blacksmith who somehow became known as "the strongest man in Iowa." He had five sons (two of which seconded him during the fight). According to a story later told by Sullivan, Sheehan's wife visited the champion in his hotel room asking that he not fight her husband...because she was afraid Sheehan might kill Sullivan!
However, during the actual match, Sullivan had no problem with his opponent. On the floor in a matter of seconds, Sheehan immediately refused to continue. Sullivan, despite the lack of a proper workout, paid his man one hundred dollars.