KILRAIN, JAKE HAND WRITTEN & SIGNED LETTER (1886-TO JOHNNIE MURPHY)

HISTORY: Jake Kilrain was born in Greenpoint, New York on February 9, 1859. He began his professional boxing career on January 1, 1879 stopping Jack Daley in two rounds. During his career he fought James J.Corbett, Charley Mitchell, and Frank Slavin. On July 8, 1889 he fought John L. Sullivan for the World Heavyweight Title. John L. Sullivan fought one of his most famous bouts with Jake Kilrain in the last significant bare knuckle bout in boxing. Kilrain was hailed by Richard Fox, the publisher of the Police Gazette, as the new champion. Fox disliked Sullivan for a perceived slight in a bar and had long searched for an opponent to topple him. Sullivan’s weight had ballooned to 240 flabby pounds, and he went into extensive training with champion wrestler William Muldoon to trim down to 205. In the fight, Sullivan got off to a good start by tripping and hip-tossing Kilrain to win the first two rounds. Sullivan was thrown in the third. From then on, Kilrain fought on gamely but Sullivan had the better of it. Beaten and battered, Kilrain could not come to scratch for the 76th round. Offered here is a very scarce four page hand written and signed letter by Jake Kilrain. In the letter to trainer/fighter Johnnie Murphy Kilrain discusses his upcoming fight with Jack Ashton and talks of meeting the man who took John C. Heenan to England for his fight with Tom Sayers. Twice signed by Kilrain. Full letter of authentication from JSA (Jim Spence).

FULL DESCRIPTION: This is an original, hand written and signed letter dated June 19, 1886. Raised stamp at upper left. Includes original folds. No tears. Written completely in ink. Twice signed on last page, "John Kilrain. Toning on three pages. Minor edge wear. Exceptionally rare with this content. 4 1/2" x 7." Full letter of authentication from JSA.