John Mahan
Encyclopedia
John Mahan, also known as Steve Taylor, (January 26, 1851-1895?) was a 19th century Irish-born American bare-knuckle boxer and pugilist. He was a noted heavyweight fighter in the Northeastern United States
during the 1870s and billed as having "an unbeaten record" until his prizefight with future heavyweight champion John L. Sullivan
in 1881. Sullivan rose to national prominence as a result of his victory while Mahan went into semi-retirement, taking part in numerous exhibition bouts during the 1880s. Mahan later toured the U.S. with Sullivan and became one of his chief sparring partners.
One-time coroner of Jersey City, New Jersey
, he was also involved in New York City politics with Boss Tweed
during his boxing career and later involved in the Tweed Ring.
, Ireland
on January 26, 1851. Later emigrating to the United States, he became coroner of Jersey City, New Jersey
. He was also active in New York City machine politics and, aligning himself Tammany Hall
and Boss Tweed
, became involved in what would later be referred to as the Tweed Ring.
Like many politicians of the era, Mahan began taking part in professional boxing. Under the ring name Steve Taylor, he eventually established himself as a formidable bare-knuckle boxer and pugilist in the Northeastern United States
. He was described as "a six footer, of very powerful build, and as agile as a cat". One of his first major fights was against Billy Edwards
at the Brooklyn Rink in Brooklyn, New York on June 5, 1876, which he lost after 17 rounds, and scored an 18-round victory over Charles McDonald later that year.
On November 17, his bout against Brooklyn champion John J. Dwyer at the Lyceum Theatre was interrupted by the New York City Police Department
who stopped the fight and the match was declared a draw. A rematch was fought between the two in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
on March 23, 1877, this time with both wearing boxing gloves
, in which he lost. Despite this, he earned a reputation as a "game and scientific boxer" from his matches with Dwyer and was referred to by some newspapers as "the ex-heavyweight champion of America". It was reported that he was "almost the only American who could any stand" against Jem Mace
when the boxing champion arrived in the U.S. and the two sparred with each other throughout the country.
He often frequented Harry Hill
's bar, a hugely popular sportsman resort and the center of New York's sporting culture during the late 19th century. He became a sparring partner for then bare knuckle champion Joe Goss
and later helped train Paddy Ryan
who would defeat Goss for the title in 1880.
. This was in reference to the more widely known challenge with Sullivan had posted to Paddy Ryan
. Taylor, Ryan's former trainer, accepted in this first-ever impromptu boxing match. Refereed by Matt Grace, a well-known collar and elbow wrestler, while Dick Hollywood and Billy Madden
were the cornermen for Mahan and Sullivan respectively. Mahan was knocked out by Sullivan "after a few hard licks" in the second round and, in a gesture of good sportsmanship, offered half the prize to his opponent. After the bout, Mahan said "Taylor [Mahan] takes his hat off only to Sully". The event received much attention from the press, this being the young Sullivan's New York debut, and was especially covered by the Police Gazette, the New York Clipper
and the New York Herald
.
on October 19 of that year. This specific bout was considered a comical exhibition bout, Mahan outweighing the lightweight boxer by at least 40 pounds, and went to three rounds before both men retired. During the match, one man supposedly yelled out to Gillespie that he "either stand on a chair or put his glove on a broomstick".
After holding a two-day exhibition bout at the People's Theater in St. Louis, Missouri
from November 5–6, Mahan and Sullivan were arrested by authorities while he and the others were preparing to leave the following morning. The two were charged with violating a state law prohibiting public sparring and boxing exhibitions but, after posting bail, they were forced to forfeit their bonds in order not to make their scheduled tour of California. He faced Mike Gillespie once more at the St. Charles Theatre, then one of the largest venues in the county, and fought four rounds before ending the match for a wrestler vs. boxer match between Charles Bixamos and local lightweight boxer Pat Kendrick.
On October 6, 1884, Mahan fought exhibition bouts against Mike Cleary and Jack Burke at Turn Hall in New York City. He later joined Sullivan on another national tour organized by manager Pat Sheedy and included Joe Lannon, George La Blanche, Jimmy Carroll and Patsy Kerrigan. He fought Jimmy Carroll to 3 rounds at the Masonic Hall in Portland, Oregon
on December 10. On March 28, 1887, he and Joe Lannon sparred with Sullivan in Hoboken, New Jersey
. He would continue to face Sullivan for several months and, three months before Sullivan embarked on a tour of Europe, Mahan facing him for the last time in Boston on August 8, 1887.
Mahan's last recorded fight was reportedly in Sligo, Ireland against Peter Maher to whom he lost in a 3-round knockout in 1891. According to Harry Hill, while testifying before the Lexow Committee
, he claimed that Mahan was working as a bartender in Boston when questioned by lawyer John Goff
.
Northeastern United States
The Northeastern United States is a region of the United States as defined by the United States Census Bureau.-Composition:The region comprises nine states: the New England states of Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont; and the Mid-Atlantic states of New...
during the 1870s and billed as having "an unbeaten record" until his prizefight with future heavyweight champion John L. Sullivan
John L. Sullivan
John Lawrence Sullivan , also known as the Boston Strong Boy, was recognized as the first heavyweight champion of gloved boxing from February 7, 1881 to 1892, and is generally recognized as the last heavyweight champion of bare-knuckle boxing under the London Prize Ring rules...
in 1881. Sullivan rose to national prominence as a result of his victory while Mahan went into semi-retirement, taking part in numerous exhibition bouts during the 1880s. Mahan later toured the U.S. with Sullivan and became one of his chief sparring partners.
One-time coroner of Jersey City, New Jersey
Jersey City, New Jersey
Jersey City is the seat of Hudson County, New Jersey, United States.Part of the New York metropolitan area, Jersey City lies between the Hudson River and Upper New York Bay across from Lower Manhattan and the Hackensack River and Newark Bay...
, he was also involved in New York City politics with Boss Tweed
Boss Tweed
William Magear Tweed – often erroneously referred to as William Marcy Tweed , and widely known as "Boss" Tweed – was an American politician most notable for being the "boss" of Tammany Hall, the Democratic Party political machine that played a major role in the politics of 19th century...
during his boxing career and later involved in the Tweed Ring.
Early life and boxing career
John Mahan was born in Kells, County MeathKells, County Meath
Kells is a town in County Meath, Ireland. The town lies off the M3 motorway, from Navan and from Dublin. In recent years Kells has grown greatly with many Dublin commuters moving to the town....
, Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
on January 26, 1851. Later emigrating to the United States, he became coroner of Jersey City, New Jersey
Jersey City, New Jersey
Jersey City is the seat of Hudson County, New Jersey, United States.Part of the New York metropolitan area, Jersey City lies between the Hudson River and Upper New York Bay across from Lower Manhattan and the Hackensack River and Newark Bay...
. He was also active in New York City machine politics and, aligning himself Tammany Hall
Tammany Hall
Tammany Hall, also known as the Society of St. Tammany, the Sons of St. Tammany, or the Columbian Order, was a New York political organization founded in 1786 and incorporated on May 12, 1789 as the Tammany Society...
and Boss Tweed
Boss Tweed
William Magear Tweed – often erroneously referred to as William Marcy Tweed , and widely known as "Boss" Tweed – was an American politician most notable for being the "boss" of Tammany Hall, the Democratic Party political machine that played a major role in the politics of 19th century...
, became involved in what would later be referred to as the Tweed Ring.
Like many politicians of the era, Mahan began taking part in professional boxing. Under the ring name Steve Taylor, he eventually established himself as a formidable bare-knuckle boxer and pugilist in the Northeastern United States
Northeastern United States
The Northeastern United States is a region of the United States as defined by the United States Census Bureau.-Composition:The region comprises nine states: the New England states of Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont; and the Mid-Atlantic states of New...
. He was described as "a six footer, of very powerful build, and as agile as a cat". One of his first major fights was against Billy Edwards
Billy Edwards
Billy Edwards was a was a standout lightweight of the late 1860s and 1870s in England.-Professional career:...
at the Brooklyn Rink in Brooklyn, New York on June 5, 1876, which he lost after 17 rounds, and scored an 18-round victory over Charles McDonald later that year.
On November 17, his bout against Brooklyn champion John J. Dwyer at the Lyceum Theatre was interrupted by the New York City Police Department
New York City Police Department
The New York City Police Department , established in 1845, is currently the largest municipal police force in the United States, with primary responsibilities in law enforcement and investigation within the five boroughs of New York City...
who stopped the fight and the match was declared a draw. A rematch was fought between the two in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Philadelphia County, with which it is coterminous. The city is located in the Northeastern United States along the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers. It is the fifth-most-populous city in the United States,...
on March 23, 1877, this time with both wearing boxing gloves
Boxing gloves
Boxing gloves are cushioned gloves that fighters wear on their hands during boxing matches. The term also refers to gloves used in training, though these often differ from competition gloves...
, in which he lost. Despite this, he earned a reputation as a "game and scientific boxer" from his matches with Dwyer and was referred to by some newspapers as "the ex-heavyweight champion of America". It was reported that he was "almost the only American who could any stand" against Jem Mace
Jem Mace
Jem Mace was an English boxing champion. He was born at Beeston, Norfolk. Although nicknamed "The Gypsy", he denied Romani ethnicity in his autobiography...
when the boxing champion arrived in the U.S. and the two sparred with each other throughout the country.
He often frequented Harry Hill
Harry Hill (sportsman)
Harry Hill was an English-born American businessman, sportsman and saloonkeeper whose establishments were regular meeting places for sportsmen, gamblers and politicians as well as members of the criminal underworld of New York City during the late 19th century...
's bar, a hugely popular sportsman resort and the center of New York's sporting culture during the late 19th century. He became a sparring partner for then bare knuckle champion Joe Goss
Joe Goss
Joe Goss was born on 5 November 1838 in Northampton, England. Although he rarely scaled more than 160 pounds, the clever and aggressive Goss routinely fought men both bigger and heavier than himself....
and later helped train Paddy Ryan
Paddy Ryan
Paddy Ryan was an Irish American boxer, and became his sport's world's heavyweight champion from May 30, 1880 when he won the title from Joe Goss until losing his title to John L. Sullivan on February 7, 1882....
who would defeat Goss for the title in 1880.
Bout with John L. Sullivan
On March 31, 1881, at a testimonial benefit in Harry Hill's resort, an offer was made by New York sportsmen in attendance to give $50 to any man who, using Marquis of Queensbury rules, could last four rounds with John L. SullivanJohn L. Sullivan
John Lawrence Sullivan , also known as the Boston Strong Boy, was recognized as the first heavyweight champion of gloved boxing from February 7, 1881 to 1892, and is generally recognized as the last heavyweight champion of bare-knuckle boxing under the London Prize Ring rules...
. This was in reference to the more widely known challenge with Sullivan had posted to Paddy Ryan
Paddy Ryan
Paddy Ryan was an Irish American boxer, and became his sport's world's heavyweight champion from May 30, 1880 when he won the title from Joe Goss until losing his title to John L. Sullivan on February 7, 1882....
. Taylor, Ryan's former trainer, accepted in this first-ever impromptu boxing match. Refereed by Matt Grace, a well-known collar and elbow wrestler, while Dick Hollywood and Billy Madden
Billy Madden
Billy Madden was a champion American pugilist, trainer, and manager.Billy Madden was born on December 10, 1852, London England of Irish immigrant parents, and died February 22, 1918 in White Plains, New York after a protracted illness...
were the cornermen for Mahan and Sullivan respectively. Mahan was knocked out by Sullivan "after a few hard licks" in the second round and, in a gesture of good sportsmanship, offered half the prize to his opponent. After the bout, Mahan said "Taylor [Mahan] takes his hat off only to Sully". The event received much attention from the press, this being the young Sullivan's New York debut, and was especially covered by the Police Gazette, the New York Clipper
New York Clipper
The New York Clipper, also known as The Clipper, was a weekly entertainment newspaper published in New York City from 1853 to 1924. It covered many topics, including circuses, dance, music, the outdoors, sports, and theatre. It had a circulation of about 25,000. The publishers also produced the...
and the New York Herald
New York Herald
The New York Herald was a large distribution newspaper based in New York City that existed between May 6, 1835, and 1924.-History:The first issue of the paper was published by James Gordon Bennett, Sr., on May 6, 1835. By 1845 it was the most popular and profitable daily newspaper in the UnitedStates...
.
Semi-retirement and touring with Sullivan
Mahan went into semi-retirement following his match with Sullivan taking part in a few exhibition matches during the next several years. On March 19, 1883, Taylor was one of three opponents Sullivan faced at a benefit at the Mechanics Institute in Boston which earned over $15,000. The event was said to have been "the largest and most noteworthy sparring exposition ever given in New England". He later toured the country with Sullivan, Herbert Slade, Pete McCoy and Mike Gillespie. One of these was against Gillespie at an opera house in McKeesport, PennsylvaniaMcKeesport, Pennsylvania
McKeesport is a city in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, in the United States; it is located at the confluence of the Monongahela and Youghiogheny rivers and is part of the Pittsburgh Metro Area. The population was 19,731 at the 2010 census...
on October 19 of that year. This specific bout was considered a comical exhibition bout, Mahan outweighing the lightweight boxer by at least 40 pounds, and went to three rounds before both men retired. During the match, one man supposedly yelled out to Gillespie that he "either stand on a chair or put his glove on a broomstick".
After holding a two-day exhibition bout at the People's Theater in St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis is an independent city on the eastern border of Missouri, United States. With a population of 319,294, it was the 58th-largest U.S. city at the 2010 U.S. Census. The Greater St...
from November 5–6, Mahan and Sullivan were arrested by authorities while he and the others were preparing to leave the following morning. The two were charged with violating a state law prohibiting public sparring and boxing exhibitions but, after posting bail, they were forced to forfeit their bonds in order not to make their scheduled tour of California. He faced Mike Gillespie once more at the St. Charles Theatre, then one of the largest venues in the county, and fought four rounds before ending the match for a wrestler vs. boxer match between Charles Bixamos and local lightweight boxer Pat Kendrick.
On October 6, 1884, Mahan fought exhibition bouts against Mike Cleary and Jack Burke at Turn Hall in New York City. He later joined Sullivan on another national tour organized by manager Pat Sheedy and included Joe Lannon, George La Blanche, Jimmy Carroll and Patsy Kerrigan. He fought Jimmy Carroll to 3 rounds at the Masonic Hall in Portland, Oregon
Portland, Oregon
Portland is a city located in the Pacific Northwest, near the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers in the U.S. state of Oregon. As of the 2010 Census, it had a population of 583,776, making it the 29th most populous city in the United States...
on December 10. On March 28, 1887, he and Joe Lannon sparred with Sullivan in Hoboken, New Jersey
Hoboken, New Jersey
Hoboken is a city in Hudson County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's population was 50,005. The city is part of the New York metropolitan area and contains Hoboken Terminal, a major transportation hub for the region...
. He would continue to face Sullivan for several months and, three months before Sullivan embarked on a tour of Europe, Mahan facing him for the last time in Boston on August 8, 1887.
Mahan's last recorded fight was reportedly in Sligo, Ireland against Peter Maher to whom he lost in a 3-round knockout in 1891. According to Harry Hill, while testifying before the Lexow Committee
Lexow Committee
Lexow Committee . The name given to a major New York State Senate probe into police corruption in New York City. The Lexow Committee inquiry, which took its name from the Committee's chairman, State Senator Clarence Lexow, was the widest-ranging of several such commissions empaneled during the...
, he claimed that Mahan was working as a bartender in Boston when questioned by lawyer John Goff
John Goff
John William Goff was an American lawyer and politician from New York.-Biography:Born in County Wexford, Goff emigrated with his family to the United States while still a child. The family settled in New York City, where Goff worked for ten years as a clerk in a dry goods store while attending...
.
In popular culture
- Mahan was portrayed in the 1945 movie The Great John L. being introduced as Sullivan's undefeated opponent "with 21 straight wins".
Further reading
- Chidsey, Donald B. John the Great: The Times and Life a Remarkable American, John L Sullivan. New York: Doubleday, Doran and Company, 1942.
- Isenberg, Michael T. John L. Sullivan and His America. Urbana: University of Illinois Press, 1994. ISBN 0-252-06434-8