Quote Originally Posted by drgoodlooking


February 7, 1882 September 7, 1892 John L. Sullivan Universal

Sullivan defeated Paddy Ryan in 1882 to earn initial championship recognition.
Intresting piece [click]

But I and many boxing historians would disagree with the start.

Most work on the theory Corbett/Sullivan was the first fight for The Queensberry Rules Heavyweight Championship, thus Corbett was the first champ; Sullivan being London Prize Rules World Heavyweight Champion, and until fighting Corbett, having never had A Queensberry Rules fight before (Although he did have a number of London Prize Rule fights with gloves.).

But personally I believe Peter Jackson was the first Queensberry Rules Heavyweight Champion. He claimed the title with a 19 round victory over George Godfrey in 1888. A claim that predates Corbett's by four years, and he had a 61 round draw with Gentleman Jim in 1891 to strengthen his claim.

Lineage wise, Jackson would lose his belt to James J Jeffries in 1898. Jeffries beat Bob Fitzsimmons in 1899, Fitzsimmons having beaten Corbett in 1897. And Jeffries would beat Corbett in 1900 and 1903.