James J. Corbett KO 21 John L. Sullivan, September 7, 1892

The first heavyweight championship fight of the gloved era, this battle between James J. Corbett and John L. Sullivan perfectly fit the archetype of the legendary, but aging, warrior vs. the hungry young challenger.

During the 1880s, Sullivan had become America's first sports superstar and its first pop culture icon. He was an explosively powerful athlete who demolished the toughest men in the world with ease. After capturing the bare-knuckle championship of the world from Paddy Ryan, he traveled the country, offering $500 to any man who could last four rounds with him in gloved exhibitions.