By John F. McKenna (McJack): John L. Sullivan retired after the fight and although he fought in exhibitions, he stayed retired. In his retirement years he would be a stage actor, speaker, celebrity baseball umpire, sports reporter and bar owner. Eventually Sullivan gave up drinking. As the story goes he walked into a bar, looked at his reflection in the mirror behind the bar, did not like what he saw and threw a bottle at the mirror, shattering it. He then turned around, walked out of the bar and never took another drink.
John L. Sullivan
Flashback: John L. Sullivan Profiled – Pt 2
By John F. McKenn (McJack): The popular cry when Sullivan would disappear from training camp was, “Send for
Muldoon, Sullivan is on the loose again!” In another instance Muldoon took a baseball bat to Sullivan and wrestled him into submission to keep him in camp when he needed a drink. He was the only person in the world that could pull it off. Sullivan, who was fat, listless and out of shape prior to the fight with Kilrain had been whipped into shape by the indomitable William Muldoon. When Sullivan stripped down to fighting togs, even his own supporters were amazed at the transformation.
Flashback: John L. Sullivan Profiled – Pt 1
By John F. McKenna (McJack): John L. Sullivan AKA “The Boston Strongboy” is universally recognized as the first Heavyweight Champion of the World. Before Sullivan, no formal titles existed. The concept of World Champion originated in the era that Sullivan fought. The historical importance of his contribution to boxing cannot be overstated. Sullivan went to great lengths to prove dominance over his competition both at home and abroad.