John L. Sullivan was the last great bare-knuckle champion and the first national sports hero of America. He won the Heavyweight Title in 1882 from Paddy Ryan. He defended this title against ring greats Charley Mitchell, Hebert Slade, Dominic McCaffrey and Jake Kilrain. He held the title for an incredible ten years. No one had ever seen the likes of the "Boston Strong Boy," who toured the nation, taking on all comers, with an offer of $1000 if they could last four rounds. No one could. With his epic 76-round victory over Jake Kilrain in 1889, his legend grew dramatically. Such a prominent figure was Sullivan, that when he was defeated in 1892 by Gentleman Jim Corbett, women and men across the nation wept. Offered here is a sterling silver cup given to John L. Sullivan by the people of Boston. This ornate cup is inscribed, “AMERICA’s CHAMPION JOHN L. SULLIVAN”. The cup is tarnished and could stand some restoration, but it represents one of the very few award/trophies that have ever surfaced of this American icon. Magnificent in every detail.