Salt Lake Tribune | 1905-11-19 | Page 38 | First Battle of John L. Sullivan

First Battle of John L. Sullivan. Tribune Special Sporting BoilflC. DF.X BR, Nov.lt, "The first time John I,. Sullivan fought." aid Jim Coibett this week "was at HaiTy Hill's old dance hall In Now York In the winter of 1880, The dam e hull was one of tho notorious placea uf old ;othani, but Hill clwnvs saw that ovi rybody got a gquare deal. "In tho.se days It w iia v. mug Johnnv Sullivan of Boaton. Hill's mage manager, Tom Campbell, liked the New England 1 nd asked him if ho would take g chance against Steve Taylor who was thou reputed to bo thf uTOSl ICtentlflfl boxer in the I'nlted States. Sullivan answered an-swered In tho affirmative, nnd the battle was arranged Sullivan Wns Game. The men met without Buy of the preliminary pre-liminary talk and arguments over rules, Taylor did all the preliminary talking and dnncing around, while young Johnnv stood In tho middle of the ring In c mposed manner; The Inability of Taylor Tay-lor to mov e the Boston strong hi v made him fidget around the ring In a more rtervoue fashion than ever. Sidestepping, feinting and shooting out blows failed to feuze Johnny. Tho bout luid gone along but a short distance when Sullivan let drive one of those blown that won him to many tights In later years. It landed On the point of the Jaw, tiud Taylor went down and out for Pally five minutes. "That wns the beginning of the career of Sullivan."