Strong Boy

The Life and Times of John L. Sullivan, America’s First Sports Hero

By: Christopher Klein

Narrated by: Joe Barrett

"I can lick any son of a bitch in the world."

So boasted John L. Sullivan, the first modern heavyweight boxing champion of the world, a man who was the gold standard of American sports for more than a decade and the first athlete to earn more than a million dollars. He had a big ego, a big mouth, and even bigger appetites. His womanizing, drunken escapades, and chronic police-blotter presence were godsends to a burgeoning newspaper industry. The larger-than-life boxer embodied the American dream for late 19th-century immigrants as he rose from Boston's Irish working class to become the most recognizable man in the nation. In the process the "Boston Strong Boy" transformed boxing from outlawed bare-knuckle fighting into the gloved spectacle we know today.

Strong Boy tells the story of America's first sports superstar, a self-made man who personified the power and excesses of the Gilded Age. Everywhere John L. Sullivan went, his fists backed up his bravado. Sullivan's epic brawls, such as his 75-round bout against Jake Kilrain, and his cross-country barnstorming tour in which he literally challenged all of America to a fight are recounted in vivid detail, as are his battles outside the ring with a troubled marriage, wild weight and fitness fluctuations, and raging alcoholism. Strong Boy gives listeners ringside seats to the colorful tale of one of the country's first Irish American heroes and the birth of the American sports media and the country's celebrity obsession with athletes.

©2015 Blackstone Audio, Inc. (P)2015 Christopher Klein

Excellent

The very interesting bio of the first American sports super-
star. JLS closed out the era of the bare-knuckle fighter, and ushered in the modern sport of boxing by Queensbury rules. A fascinating account and a more than worthwhile listen for anyone interested in fistic history. Highly recommended.

Larger than life

Fascinating to hear about a man who touched millions of lives, fought numerous bouts in and out of the ring and changed sports forever.

Such an interesting life

I never knew such a colorful character pioneered American sports celebrity, and the author writes with such colorful description you’ll feel like you’re in the boxing ring trading blows with the champ. Outstanding book!

Great book!

As a boxing fan I truly enjoyed this book. What a fascinating character in boxing history. Truly entertaining!

an icon of american history. well perforned

what a crazy time and what an absolute lunatic john L. was.
tragedy victory tragedy