Charles Mitchell [who Fought J.L. Sullivan]

1880-90

Rare woodcut illustration, titled below the image with fighter’s details, ‘Charles Mitchell, England’s Young Champion, who fought Sullivan in America’ and above ‘Presented Gratis with the No.20 of Famous Fights in the Prize Ring’. Original sheet backed with tissue to strengthen.

310 by 260mm (12¼ by 10¼ inches).

1861-1918. He was an English world heavyweight boxing title contender and lightweight champion. He engaged in over 100 fights with both gloves and bare knuckles, often fighting men who outweighed him by 30 to 40 pounds. Mitchell toured the United States with Jake Kilrain and later Frank Slavin, putting on exhibitions. Mitchell was in Kilrain’s corner on the 8th of July 1889 when he fought John L Sullivan for the world heavyweight boxing championship. Mitchell himself fought John L Sullivan in 1883 knocking him down in the first round. Their second meeting took place in 1888 on the grounds of a Chateau at Chantilly, France in driving rain. It went on for more than two hours, at the end of which both men were unrecognisable. The contest was considered a draw. In 1894 Mitchell fought in his most noteworthy bout, against James J Corbett for the world heavyweight championship. Corbett won by knockout in the third round winning $20,000.