Lithograph, 27 x 19.5 in., including margins. John L. Sullivan and Jake Kilrain as They Appeared in the Ring. The Two Gladiators Preparing for an Opening in the First Round of Their Historic Fight at Richburg, Miss. on July 8, 1889. New York: Richard K. Fox, 1889. Supplement to The National Police Gazette.

Fine chromolithograph of the last world heavyweight title fight between bare-knuckle fighters.

Although John L. Sullivan was widely recognized as the world champion, Richard K. Fox -- the publisher of The National Police Gazette and this lithograph -- declared Kilrain the champ in 1887 in order to bait Sullivan into another championship bout. It worked, and the resulting bout was seen as a turning point in American sports coverage due to the unparalleled hype and pre-fight coverage. In the last title fight decided under London Prize Ring Rules (which dictated bare knuckles), Sullivan won in the 76th round when Kilrain's second threw in the sponge. Kilrain was not happy, but his corner claimed he would have died if the fight had gone on any longer. Sullivan became the undisputed champion of the world for the next three years, until losing to "Gentleman Jim" Corbett in New Orleans in 1892.