Heavyweight champion of the world gets floored by a woman
1892 - John L. Sullivan, also known as the 'Boston Strong Boy ', was the Heavyweight champion
of the world. One night at a boxing ring in Arkansas, a woman by the name of Hessie Donahue
was asked to spar with Sullivan in a novelty item. The idea was that towards the end of the
performance, when the champion had dealt with all comers, he would announce that he had
been challenged by a woman! She would then trade a few playful blows with Sullivan until the
curtain came down. But, it got rather out of hand, and Sullivan threw a punch to Hessie's face
that was far harder than he intended. Upset by this change from the script, Hessie let rip with
a right to Sullivan's jaw and the champion dropped unconscious to the floor... where he stayed
for a disturbingly long time. |