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John Lawrence Sullivan (October 15, 1858 – February 2, 1918), was an Irish-American boxer recognized as the first heavyweight champion of gloved boxing, reigning from February 7, 1882, to 1892. He was a cultural icon of late 19th century America, the first boxing superstar and one of the world's highest-paid athletes of his era. Newspapers' coverage of his career, with the latest accounts of his championship fights often appearing in the headlines, and as cover stories, gave birth to sports journalism.