Auction Item Details
Lot 962
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Lot Number: 962
Description: Scarce September 7, 1892 John L. Sullivan vs. Jim Corbett Heavyweight Championship fight ticket. Widely regarded as the inception of modern era boxing, the epic championship bout between the champion Sullivan and young Corbett remains to date one of the most revered fights in the history of the sport. Although still an imposing fighter, Sullivan was clearly aged and not ready for the younger James Corbett who quickly outperformed his opponent with a bruising arsenal. It was written in a period newspaper that ôCorbett was out for blood when they again stood up, and started to finish the man who held the Championship for so many years, and whose name was a terror to all. He rushed in, and planted blow after blow on SullivanÆs face and neck. The Champion, so soon to lose his coveted title, backed away, trying to save himself. He lowered his guard from sheer exhaustion, and, catching a fearful smash to the jaw, reeled to the ropes, and the blood poured down his face in torrents, and made a crimson river across the broad chest. His eyes were glassy, and it was a mournful act when the young Californian shot his right across the jaw, and Sullivan fell like an ox." The offered ticket is one of a scant few surviving exemplars and may very well have been used by St. Louis Browns player Jack Boyle himself. The front of the ticket remains fairly clean for its age with one small corner chip at the lower right and a minor surface abrasion at the bottom left. Reverse has printed ticket rights notation and a hand stamped "R.M. Frank New Orleans, LA" address which was likely the ticket vendor. Very rare and highly desirable ticket from the most notable 19th century boxing championship fight. Includes letter of provenance from the Boyle family: VG
Estimated Price: ($2,000.00-$3,000.00)
