Uploaded August 2020 | Updated September 2026, 1 hour ago
Check out thetombstonetourist.com/graves/john-l-sullivan for the complete biography, photos, videos, exact directions to his final resting place and more exciting content!
Known as the Boston Strong Boy or simply John L. Sullivan was the first boxing superstar and cultural icon in the late 1800s. In fact he was the last heavyweight champion of bare-knuckle boxing under the London Prize Ring and the first heavyweight champion of gloved boxing. As heavyweight champion from 1882 to 1892 he was also one of the world's highest-paid athletes of his era.
The Sullivan-Kilrain fight is considered to be a turning point in boxing history because it was the last ever bare-knuckle heavyweight title bout. It was also one of the first sporting events in the United States to receive national press coverage.
On July 8, 1889, an estimated 3000 spectators boarded special trains for the secret location, which turned out to be Richburg, Mississippi. The fight began at 10:30 in the morning, and at first it looked like Sullivan was going to lose, especially after he vomited during the 44th round. However, the champion got his second wind and was able to turn things around for himself. After a grueling beatdown, Kilrain's manager finally threw in the towel after the 75th round. Yes, you read that right - 75 rounds of boxing.
The effects of prize fighting along with him being overweight and unhealthy after a long life of overindulging in food and alcohol took its toll on the boxer. Sullivan died at age 59 at his home in Abington, Massachusetts, of a heart attack.
The barn where Sullivan trained still stands in the small town of Belfast, New York and is now the Bare Knuckle Boxing Hall of Fame.
He is buried at Mount Calvary Cemetery just south of Boston, Massachusetts in the town of Roslindale. His grave and that of his extended family is on the corner of Section 3 that borders Section 4 on Maple Avenue on the road. His lot number is Lot 24 but the monuments do not appear to be marked in this section. Baseball legend Hugh Duffy is buried 40 feet down the road from Sullivan.
#famousgraves #gravesite #grave #cemetery #cemeterylovers #boxing
Check out thetombstonetourist.com/graves/john-l-sullivan for the complete biography, photos, videos, exact directions to his final resting place and more exciting content!
Known as the Boston Strong Boy or simply John L. Sullivan was the first boxing superstar and cultural icon in the late 1800s. In fact he was the last heavyweight champion of bare-knuckle boxing under the London Prize Ring and the first heavyweight champion of gloved boxing. As heavyweight champion from 1882 to 1892 he was also one of the world's highest-paid athletes of his era.
The Sullivan-Kilrain fight is considered to be a turning point in boxing history because it was the last ever bare-knuckle heavyweight title bout. It was also one of the first sporting events in the United States to receive national press coverage.
On July 8, 1889, an estimated 3000 spectators boarded special trains for the secret location, which turned out to be Richburg, Mississippi. The fight began at 10:30 in the morning, and at first it looked like Sullivan was going to lose, especially after he vomited during the 44th round. However, the champion got his second wind and was able to turn things around for himself. After a grueling beatdown, Kilrain's manager finally threw in the towel after the 75th round. Yes, you read that right - 75 rounds of boxing.
The effects of prize fighting along with him being overweight and unhealthy after a long life of overindulging in food and alcohol took its toll on the boxer. Sullivan died at age 59 at his home in Abington, Massachusetts, of a heart attack.
The barn where Sullivan trained still stands in the small town of Belfast, New York and is now the Bare Knuckle Boxing Hall of Fame.
He is buried at Mount Calvary Cemetery just south of Boston, Massachusetts in the town of Roslindale. His grave and that of his extended family is on the corner of Section 3 that borders Section 4 on Maple Avenue on the road. His lot number is Lot 24 but the monuments do not appear to be marked in this section. Baseball legend Hugh Duffy is buried 40 feet down the road from Sullivan.
#famousgraves #gravesite #grave #cemetery #cemeterylovers #boxing
