Boston Knuckles

John L. Sullivan, the last of the great bare knuckling fighters of the 19th century, was America's first international pop culture superstar. The great John L was also the first national 'Bad Boy', making front page news for barroom brawling, wife-beating, and knocking out a trolley horse with one punch. A bully and a bigot, Sullivan was also a generous man who gave away the fortune he made in boxing to the needy. John L. Sullivan is also the first American professional athlete to turn to acting once his boxing skills had eroded. John L. Sullivan was the 'best and the worst' of the Glided Age.