in the 1880s. John L. Sullivan became the first American heavyweight champion in 1882 under the bare-knuckle rules and again in 1892 he became the first heavyweight champion of the gloved era. Sullivan trained for his initial heavyweight championship in Belfast, New York. By the end of the 19th century America was becoming the center of professional boxing. The sports economic incentive rose as popularity brought larger purses and commercial success. Sullivan's championships initiated a period of over 100 years of American dominance in the heavyweight class. Boxing was again being banned in America in the early 1900s, and was mostly outlawed in New York state. A loophole allowed fights to take place in athletic clubs, so many bars became on-the-fly athletic clubs in order to host matches. The Walker Law, passed in 1920, regulated boxing in the state of New York. The law reestablished legal boxing following the three-year ban created by the repeal of the Frawley Law. On December 14, 1920, Jack Dempsey, the heavyweight champion, appeared at Madison Square Garden, knocking out Bill Brennam in the 12th round. The fight drew one of the largest crowds the arena had experienced in that period. In 2018, Newsday selected the 10 most notable fights that took place in New York: Jack Dempsey KO 2 Luis Ángel Firpo, Sept. 14, 1923, Polo Grounds. Dempsey's fifth title defense; over 80,000 watched him defeat the Argentinian. James J. Braddock W 15 Max Baer, June 13, 1935, Madison Square Garden Bowl. Braddock, a 10-1 underdog, defeated the heavyweight champion. Joe Louis KO 1 Max Schmeling, June 22, 1938, Yankee Stadium. World War II on the horizon, the second fight between Louis and the German Schmeling is remembered as one of the major sports events of the 20th century. Joe Louis KO 13 Billy Conn, June 18, 1941, Polo Grounds. Behind after 12 rounds, Louis rallied to win. Rocky Marciano TKO 8 Joe Louis, Oct. 26, 1951, Madison Square Garden. Marciano, who was 27, defeated Louis, who was 37. Floyd Patterson KO 5 Ingemar Johansson, June 20, 1960, Polo Grounds. Patterson became the first former heavyweight champion in history to regain his title. Joe Frazier W 15 Muhammad Ali, March 8, 1971, Madison Square Garden. The fight was billed as “The Fight of the Century”. Muhammad Ali W 15 Ken Norton, Sept. 28, 1976, Yankee Stadium. The third fight of their trilogy. Lennox Lewis