John L. Sullivan Becomes First World Heavyweight Champion – August 29, 1885 (This Day In Boxing History)

Boxing’s first ever world heavyweight championship was held 137 years ago today.

John L. Sullivan defeated Dominick McCaffrey via points after six rounds. He won the inaugural world heavyweight championship, which was under the Marquess of Queensberry Rules at Chester Park in Cincinatti.

Sullivan knocked down McCaffrey several times in a scheduled six-round fight that continued to an unofficial seventh round.

This fight was also the first heavyweight title fight with three-ounce gloves and the first with a three-minute round format.