Vintage lithograph print by artist George Bellows depicting legendary American boxer John L Sullivan (1858 - 1918) being introduced to the crowd at a world heavyweight title fight. Sullivan, nicknamed "The Boston Strong Boy", is generally regarded as the last bare-knuckle World Heavyweight Champion under London Prize Ring Rules and the first gloved World Heavyweight Champion under Marquess of Queensberry Rules. He dominated the boxing scene during the 1880s and was America's first sporting superstar. His reign as king of the heavyweights came to an end when he lost to James J Corbett in 1892.
Vintage lithograph print depicting legendary American boxer John L Sullivan (1858 - 1918) being introduced to the crowd at a world heavyweight title fight. Sullivan, nicknamed "The Boston Strong Boy", is generally regarded as the last bare-knuckle World Heavyweight Champion under London Prize Ring Rules and the first gloved World Heavyweight Champion under Marquess of Queensberry Rules. He dominated the boxing scene during the 1880s and was America's first sporting superstar. His reign as king of the heavyweights came to an end when he lost to James J Corbett in 1892 in a gloved bout fought under Queensberry Rules. This print by artist George Bellows (1882 - 1925) shows Sullivan (large figure in centre holding a hat down by his side) being introduced to spectators at Madison Square Garden, New York, prior to the fight between then World Heavyweight Champion Jess Willard and Frank Moran on March 25 1916. Willard is sitting to the right of Sullivan having his gloves adjusted and the balding figure standing to the left of Sullivan is former champion Bob Fitzsimmons. Bellows was present at the bout and the work is entitled "Introducing John L Sullivan".
Size: 6123px × 6120px
Photo credit: © Fistiana / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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