John L Sullivan mb-artistname John Prince showing Church Street in the

showing Church Street in the foreground

South view of the first Royal Exchange with coats of arms above

North-west view of the Church of St John at Hackney

view of the hall and staircase

players jogging around pitch

John L Sullivan mb-artistname John Prince showing Church Street in theJohn L Sullivan, American boxer, c1898. Born in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1858, John L Sullivan (1858 1918) is regarded as the first world heavyweight champion. He held the title from 1881 until 1892, when he lost it to James 'Gentleman Jim' Corbett. Sullivan was the first American sportsman to become a national celebrity and the first to earn over $1 million.