Raynors HCA 2016-10
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/21/2016
Very unusual cabinet card photograph “SULLIVAN & RYAN” by Heald & Giles, Providence R.I. The image shows two year old twins “Little Freddie and Frankie Straight” shaking hands in a boxing ring. VG and very unusual. The Sullivan vs Ryan boxing match. In 1882, Ryan agreed to face rising boxer John L. Sullivan for the championship. The fight was to be bare-knuckle under the London Prize Ring Rules in a 24-foot ring. Each side put up $2,500 winner-take-all. The fighters arrived in New Orleans on February 6, 1882. Governor Lowry of Mississippi issued a proclamation ordered all local sheriffs to do whatever was necessary to stop the fight, which was illegal. The next day, the fight crowd moved to Mississippi City, Mississippi where a ring was set up in front of the Barnes' Hotel in a grove of live oaks. After nine rounds, Sullivan knocked Paddy Ryan out with a right-handed punch which landed under Ryan's left ear. The fight had been conducted bare-knuckle under the London Prize Ring Rules. Historically the fight was the last time the championship would be won (as opposed to defended) in a bare knuckle fight. Ryan fought Sullivan on many occasions afterward, but never won.
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