In wrestling annals, for years there has been an oft-repeated though never verified account about a mixed boxer versus wrestler contest between John L. Sullivan and William Muldoon, two of the biggest sports stars of their day. The story took on mythic proportions, yet the details were always sketchy. This writer personally discounted the tale as just another unconfirmed and likely untrue story among the many found in the wild and wooly world of professional wrestling.
Dan Anderson in his diligent research of late 19th century wrestling history just recently found the buried treasure detailing the legendary Sullivan/Muldoon bout. The pair did square off after all! However it was not in a mixed match, but rather in a pair of wrestling contests held in late May of 1889.
The Great John L had been ill for several months, was grossly out of shape and drinking heavily. He had not defended his championship since March 10, 1888 when he fought to a 39 round draw with Charley Mitchell in France. Jake Kilrain was a persistent challenger for the crown and when Sullivan neglected to meet him, the Police Gazette awarded Kilrain a championship belt. It was finally arranged for the rivals to fight it out for the undisputed title and a $10,000 side bet. To bring Sullivan into fighting form, the well-known wrestler and physical culturist William Muldoon was recruited. Part of the initial regimen, it seems, was to stage a few wrestling bouts between the champion and his trainer. This would serve to show that John L was rounding into shape and also generate publicity for the upcoming big fight.
The pair tangled first in Cincinnati on May 28. They wrestled ten rounds, using the London Prize Ring system. The meaning is a little unclear, but London Prize Ring rules governed pugilistic encounters before the Marquis of Queensbury rules were adopted. The fighters would meet for an often unlimited number of rounds with a round ending only with a knockdown, knockout or a throwdown. Some grappling techniques to throw an opponent off his feet were permitted in old-time prizefighting, although wrestling on the ground was not allowed. It seems that Muldoon and Sullivan met in a modified match where they only wrestled in an upright position and refrained from hitting with their fists. Ten rounds were stipulated for the encounter. Each man won five rounds, thus making the affair a draw. A newspaper account describes, “Sullivan looked in prime condition…He was not in the least fatigued.” (1.)
The troupe moved on to Gloucester, MA., where on May 30, Muldoon and Sullivan wrestled again, this time at a baseball park. This match was billed as being contested under “Greco-Roman and prize ring rules.” This may indicate that they were wrestling Greco-Roman style, standing but not with fixed grips as in collar-and-elbow, sidehold or similar styles. The prize ring portion seemed to designate that there was no ground grappling involved and the use of rounds, ending with a fall. The announcer said that it was a wrestling match; so again it doesn’t appear to have been a mixed wrestling/boxing contest.(2.) At any rate Muldoon won two quick falls in ten minutes. One account relates that “Sullivan was layed flat on his back with considerable force.” (3.) Some four thousand people were on hand to witness the confrontation. Another wrestling bout was scheduled for that evening, but Sullivan may have had enough grappling as he sparred with Mike Cleary instead. Muldoon and the champ packed it off to New York where they would begin their serious and intense training.
Muldoon’s work proved to be successful. When Sullivan and Kilrain battled it out on July 8, 1889 in Richburg, MS., the Great John L won by a knockout in the 75th round. Muldoon was in his corner. It was the last official championship bare knuckle prizefight held in America.
1.) John L. And Muldoon/Pittsburg Post/May 29, 1889; Muldoon And Sullivan/May 29, 1889.
2.) Sullivan At Gloucester/Trenton Times/ May 31, 1889.
3.) “ “
Other sources: Nat Fleischer’s All-Time Ring Record Book 1943 edition; A Pictorial History of Boxing/Sam Andre and Nat Fleicher; email correspondence from Dan Anderson and Crimson Mask.
Notes: Dan Anderson is to be applauded for uncovering the truth about the fabled Muldoon/Sullivan encounter.
John L. Sullivan engaging in public wrestling matches was not that unusual for a pugilist of that era. His successor James J. Corbett often appeared in wrestling exhibitions while training for fights. Likewise James J. Jeffries, Bob Fitzsimmons, Sailor Tom Sharkey, Jack Munroe, Denver Ed Martin, Jack Johnson and Jack Dempsey occasionally took part in wrestling bouts and exhibitions.
The popular staging of mixed wrestler versus boxer contests did not really get underway until the early 1920s with Ed “Strangler” Lewis’ highly publicized and ballyhooed challenge to Jack Dempsey. Although that stalwart pair never got around to comparing their respective skills in the ring, countless encounters between grapplers and boxers have occurred over the decades since. The overwhelming majority ended with a victory for the mat man.
Still yet to verify is the storied contest between Evan “Strangler” Lewis and the little fighter George Dixon.
Mark S. Hewitt
2007
