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1889 John L. Sullivan vs. Jake Kilrain Full Ticket
On Monday, July 8, 1889 history was made in the small sawmill community of Richburg, Mississippi. This was the site chosen for the last bare knuckle heavyweight championship fight. The champion, John L. Sullivan agreed to fight Jake Kilrain. The site was somewhat of a secret due to the illegal nature of the sport which at the time was outlawed in thirty eight states. So this little hamlet 104 miles from New Orleans and three miles south of Hattiesburg became the site. The fight had evolved slowly over time largely due to the long standing animosity between Sullivan and Richard K. Fox of the Police Gazette who backed Kilrain. Fox used the pages of his publication to manipulate and goad Sullivan into the match. A crowd of about 3,000 assembled to see the fight on a blistering hot day. Sullivan’s corner had William Muldoon and Jimmy Wakely while Kilrain’s had Charley Mitchell and Mike Donovan. Bat Masterson was the timekeeper and John Fitzpatrick was the referee. It started at 10:10 a.m. Sullivan went right to work By the 34th round Kilrain’s nose was broken, his lip was split and one eye was swollen shut. The fight lasted 2 hours and 16 minutes. Donovan threw in the sponge in the 76th to end it. Kilrain could just not go on. Any artifacts from this fight are extremely rare. Few attended and the site was so remote there was little to bring back. Offered here is a very rare full, unused ticket to this historic event. Both names are boldly printed. The ticket is VG to excellent condition with some slight soiling. You will not get the opportunity to purchase a ticket from one of the most important fights in boxing history very often.
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