Tom Sullivan (boxer)
Encyclopedia
Thomas Sullivan, also known as "Tommy" and "Irish Tommy" (January 1, 1922 South Boston, Massachusetts
-December 23, 1957 South Boston) was an Irish-American professional light heavyweight
boxer who was murdered by the Mullen Gang
and Patriarca crime family
.
Brittany
-Irish
emigrants Thomas and his mother simply identified as "Margaret (Mary) Sullivan" (1875–1957). It is unknown if that is her maiden name, or married name, as that is how she is identified in the newspaper articles concerning her son. Upon arriving to America his parents Thomas and Mary settled in South Boston. Thomas and Mary conceived two sons, Thomas, named after his paternal grandfather, not his father as is popular in American culture, following the old Gaelic
-Celtic tradition. He had dirty blond hair and blue eyes. He had a younger brother also named Thomas after his paternal uncle who was a stillborn
and a sister Leehna Maher-Sullivan. His father left Mary and their children at a very young age leaving all the responsibility to his mother. Mary Sullivan was a doting mother who supported her only son Tommy throughout his professional boxing career. In Joseph Barboza's autobiography Barboza, Sullivan is wrongly identified as "Rocky", not "Tommy". Thomas was known in the neighborhood as a "tough puncher" who later went to work as a longshoreman in Boston
, Massachusetts
and lived with his mother on East Fifth Street. Even after his boxing career finished he remained physically fit from working dock at the Boston Harbor
as a longshoreman and sparred at a gym to maintained his lean physique. During the late night bar brawl with Edward McLaughlin
Tommy showed immense strength and lifted up one end of the four-door sedan and was able to move the car and prop one of the wheel chassis up on the curb, putting the sedan on a tilt and allowing him access to the bloodied and battered cowering Edward McLaughlin who had retreated for cover underneath and continue the assault. His opponent, Edward was severely handicapped against Sullivan at the time of the fight, he was out of shape and was out of shape from alcoholism
.
When Thomas could not financially support himself after his successful boxing career ended he moved back into his childhood home to live with his elderly mother and cared for her. It is suggested that after he stopped his boxing career that he suffered from bouts of alcoholism brought on by depression
.
He became well known around Boston during his boxing career including notorious Patriarca crime family members and associates like Joseph Barboza in North Boston, although he never was positively recognized as an associate of the Patriarca crime family who managed a stable of prize fighters during that time and maintained a clean boxing record. The unsubtantiated rumors that Thomas was a prizefighter first emerged on June 9, 1942 during the match with Dave Hoblitzel in Portland, Oregon. The bout was stopped by the referees. The boxing officials in attendance stated that neither man was trying. Although he was never put under scrutiny for corruption during his professional boxing career, investigative journalist Howie Carr
refers to him as a "prizefighter
". After his professional boxing career ended abruptly he sought out work as a longshoreman at the Boston Harbor. While working at the docks he no doubt struck up friendly relationships with McLaughlin Brothers associate Thomas J. Ballou and Patriarca crime family mob associate Joseph Barboza.
After the death of Thomas, Mary was overcome with emotional distress and shock and confined herself to her bed. Soon afterwards she was able to walk around their first floor apartment. On January 3, 1958, eleven days after both Harold Hannon and George McLaughlin were murdered by rival gangsters, Mary Sullivan died, she was eighty-three. A newspaper quoted quoted neighbors as saying that her son's murder would "kill her." She was too grief stricken and emotionally distraught to attend his funeral at Gates of Heaven Parish located at 615 East Fourth Street.
. During this match Lawless retired in his corner after the second round, due to a laceration over his eye that he received from Sullivan. On June 9, 1942 he fought Dave Hoblitzel in Portland, Maine
. The bout with Hoblitzel was the boxing match that brought up allegations of corruption
. Although Thomas was never put under scrutiny for corruption during his professional boxing career, investigative journalist Howie Carr
referred to him as a "pug ugly prizefighter". On March 18, 1946 he fought against Jimmy Fields in Boston, Massachusetts. Fields fought the fight against Sullivan under the ring moniker "John Henry Eskew". Before a large crowd totaling 10,817, Eskew dropped Sullivan for a count of two in the second round. Following his loss, an angry Sullivan continued on and gave Eskew a brutal beating over the next two rounds. He left Fields draped over the ropes in the fourth round and won by a technical knockout.
On December 14, 1946 Tommy was matched up against Al Priest in Boston. This was the largest gate ever attracted at an indoor boxing match in Boston up to that time. 13,250 spectators attended the sport, the ring accumulated $59,944 in total. On June 2, 1947 he fought against Coley Welch. He successfully knocked down Welch twice in the third round and one in the seventh round.
He fought with an orthodox stance and boxed 143 rounds over the span of his short career winning twenty of them with fourteen knock outs and two losses. Thomas was considered by many to be one of the more successful boxers that came out of Boston during that time period, more than Edward G. Connors
, Anthony Veranis
, Rocco DiSiglio
and Americo Sacramone.
. By mob associates it was considered a good battle because both McLaughlin and Sullivan were ex-professionals, but Sullivan had a more successful bout than McLaughlin and had been a main event celebrity fighter. The trouble arose from a heated argument that soon turned violent. Edward hit Sullivan from behind with a length of iron pipe, knocking him to the floor. Edward swung again but he rolled out of the way and got to his feet, his face badly bloodied from the blindsided attack. One of Sullivan's punches during the fight tore McLaughlin's ear. The bar brawl was witnessed by many South End Bostoners including Joseph Barboza, his fellow friend, sparring partner and longshoreman.
The fight played out in the barroom and then made its way out into the street. Edward, now badly beaten, finally gave up and rolled under a car parked in the street to get away. Tommy was relentless in his attack on the gangster, he lifted up one end of the car and propped one of the wheels up on the curb allowing him access to McLaughlin.
wars between the McLaughlin Gang and the powerful Patriarca crime family. Two suspects, including Edward McLaughlin were brought in for questioning about the murder. One provided an airtight alibi clearing him of any suspicion in the murder while McLaughlin remained under suspicion. The case eventually went cold and no one was ever charged or convicted in the murder of Sullivan. Howie Carr states that Sullivan's killer was Harold Hannon. Hannon was later murdered in the ensuing Irish Mob wars.
Harold was garroted with piano wire
and had his corpse tossed into the Boston Harbor on August 20, 1964.
Sullivan's bar brawling foe, mob leader George McLaughlin was shot dead at a bus stop in West Roxbury, Massachusetts
in October 1965.
South Boston, Massachusetts
South Boston is a densely populated neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts, located south and east of the Fort Point Channel and abutting Dorchester Bay. One of America's oldest and most historic neighborhoods, South Boston was formerly known as Dorchester Neck, and today is called "Southie" by...
-December 23, 1957 South Boston) was an Irish-American professional light heavyweight
Light heavyweight
In boxing, the light heavyweight is a weight division above 168 pounds [12 Stone or 76.204 kilograms] and up to 175 pounds [12.5 stone or 79.38 kilograms]), falling between super middleweight and cruiserweight...
boxer who was murdered by the Mullen Gang
Mullen Gang
-Gang members:Paulie McGonagle was a Boston mobster and onetime leader of the Mullen Gang, a South Boston street gang involved in burglary, auto theft, and armed robbery. During the war against Donald Killeen and his brothers, McGonagle successfully led the Mullens in a string of shootings which...
and Patriarca crime family
Patriarca crime family
The Patriarca crime family, also known as the New England crime family and the Providence crime family, is an Italian-American organized crime syndicate based in New England, specifically Providence, Rhode Island and Boston, Massachusetts, and is part of the Italian-American Mafia or "La Cosa Nostra"...
.
Early life and background
Thomas O'Suileabhain-Sullivan was born to a first generationFirst generation
The term First Generation can refer to:*First generation immigrant, a citizen or resident who is an immigrant or has immigrant parents*Anything of the earliest kind, often used when describing computers or technology....
Brittany
Brittany
Brittany is a cultural and administrative region in the north-west of France. Previously a kingdom and then a duchy, Brittany was united to the Kingdom of France in 1532 as a province. Brittany has also been referred to as Less, Lesser or Little Britain...
-Irish
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
emigrants Thomas and his mother simply identified as "Margaret (Mary) Sullivan" (1875–1957). It is unknown if that is her maiden name, or married name, as that is how she is identified in the newspaper articles concerning her son. Upon arriving to America his parents Thomas and Mary settled in South Boston. Thomas and Mary conceived two sons, Thomas, named after his paternal grandfather, not his father as is popular in American culture, following the old Gaelic
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
-Celtic tradition. He had dirty blond hair and blue eyes. He had a younger brother also named Thomas after his paternal uncle who was a stillborn
Stillbirth
A stillbirth occurs when a fetus has died in the uterus. The Australian definition specifies that fetal death is termed a stillbirth after 20 weeks gestation or the fetus weighs more than . Once the fetus has died the mother still has contractions and remains undelivered. The term is often used in...
and a sister Leehna Maher-Sullivan. His father left Mary and their children at a very young age leaving all the responsibility to his mother. Mary Sullivan was a doting mother who supported her only son Tommy throughout his professional boxing career. In Joseph Barboza's autobiography Barboza, Sullivan is wrongly identified as "Rocky", not "Tommy". Thomas was known in the neighborhood as a "tough puncher" who later went to work as a longshoreman in Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
, Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
and lived with his mother on East Fifth Street. Even after his boxing career finished he remained physically fit from working dock at the Boston Harbor
Boston Harbor
Boston Harbor is a natural harbor and estuary of Massachusetts Bay, and is located adjacent to the city of Boston, Massachusetts. It is home to the Port of Boston, a major shipping facility in the northeast.-History:...
as a longshoreman and sparred at a gym to maintained his lean physique. During the late night bar brawl with Edward McLaughlin
Edward McLaughlin
Edward "Punchy" McLaughlin was a former boxer and a member of the "The McLaughlin Brothers" gang of Charlestown, Massachusetts...
Tommy showed immense strength and lifted up one end of the four-door sedan and was able to move the car and prop one of the wheel chassis up on the curb, putting the sedan on a tilt and allowing him access to the bloodied and battered cowering Edward McLaughlin who had retreated for cover underneath and continue the assault. His opponent, Edward was severely handicapped against Sullivan at the time of the fight, he was out of shape and was out of shape from alcoholism
Alcoholism
Alcoholism is a broad term for problems with alcohol, and is generally used to mean compulsive and uncontrolled consumption of alcoholic beverages, usually to the detriment of the drinker's health, personal relationships, and social standing...
.
When Thomas could not financially support himself after his successful boxing career ended he moved back into his childhood home to live with his elderly mother and cared for her. It is suggested that after he stopped his boxing career that he suffered from bouts of alcoholism brought on by depression
Depression (mood)
Depression is a state of low mood and aversion to activity that can affect a person's thoughts, behaviour, feelings and physical well-being. Depressed people may feel sad, anxious, empty, hopeless, helpless, worthless, guilty, irritable, or restless...
.
He became well known around Boston during his boxing career including notorious Patriarca crime family members and associates like Joseph Barboza in North Boston, although he never was positively recognized as an associate of the Patriarca crime family who managed a stable of prize fighters during that time and maintained a clean boxing record. The unsubtantiated rumors that Thomas was a prizefighter first emerged on June 9, 1942 during the match with Dave Hoblitzel in Portland, Oregon. The bout was stopped by the referees. The boxing officials in attendance stated that neither man was trying. Although he was never put under scrutiny for corruption during his professional boxing career, investigative journalist Howie Carr
Howie Carr
Howard Louis "Howie" Carr, Jr. is an American journalist, author, and conservative radio talk-show host based in Boston with a listening audience rooted in New England.-Radio:...
refers to him as a "prizefighter
Prizefighter
A prizefighter is a boxer.Prizefighter may also refer to:*Don King Presents: Prizefighter, a video game by 2k Sports released in 2008*Prize Fighter, a video game by Digital Pictures released in 1994 for the Sega CD...
". After his professional boxing career ended abruptly he sought out work as a longshoreman at the Boston Harbor. While working at the docks he no doubt struck up friendly relationships with McLaughlin Brothers associate Thomas J. Ballou and Patriarca crime family mob associate Joseph Barboza.
After the death of Thomas, Mary was overcome with emotional distress and shock and confined herself to her bed. Soon afterwards she was able to walk around their first floor apartment. On January 3, 1958, eleven days after both Harold Hannon and George McLaughlin were murdered by rival gangsters, Mary Sullivan died, she was eighty-three. A newspaper quoted quoted neighbors as saying that her son's murder would "kill her." She was too grief stricken and emotionally distraught to attend his funeral at Gates of Heaven Parish located at 615 East Fourth Street.
Boxing career
At the age of twenty, Tom started his career as a professional boxer. He was considered by many a local celebrity in South Boston. On March 17, 1942 Tommy had his first professional boxing match against Johnny Lawless in Portland, MainePortland, Maine
Portland is the largest city in Maine and is the county seat of Cumberland County. The 2010 city population was 66,194, growing 3 percent since the census of 2000...
. During this match Lawless retired in his corner after the second round, due to a laceration over his eye that he received from Sullivan. On June 9, 1942 he fought Dave Hoblitzel in Portland, Maine
Portland, Maine
Portland is the largest city in Maine and is the county seat of Cumberland County. The 2010 city population was 66,194, growing 3 percent since the census of 2000...
. The bout with Hoblitzel was the boxing match that brought up allegations of corruption
Corruption
Corruption usually refers to spiritual or moral impurity.Corruption may also refer to:* Corruption , an American crime film* Corruption , a British horror film...
. Although Thomas was never put under scrutiny for corruption during his professional boxing career, investigative journalist Howie Carr
Howie Carr
Howard Louis "Howie" Carr, Jr. is an American journalist, author, and conservative radio talk-show host based in Boston with a listening audience rooted in New England.-Radio:...
referred to him as a "pug ugly prizefighter". On March 18, 1946 he fought against Jimmy Fields in Boston, Massachusetts. Fields fought the fight against Sullivan under the ring moniker "John Henry Eskew". Before a large crowd totaling 10,817, Eskew dropped Sullivan for a count of two in the second round. Following his loss, an angry Sullivan continued on and gave Eskew a brutal beating over the next two rounds. He left Fields draped over the ropes in the fourth round and won by a technical knockout.
On December 14, 1946 Tommy was matched up against Al Priest in Boston. This was the largest gate ever attracted at an indoor boxing match in Boston up to that time. 13,250 spectators attended the sport, the ring accumulated $59,944 in total. On June 2, 1947 he fought against Coley Welch. He successfully knocked down Welch twice in the third round and one in the seventh round.
He fought with an orthodox stance and boxed 143 rounds over the span of his short career winning twenty of them with fourteen knock outs and two losses. Thomas was considered by many to be one of the more successful boxers that came out of Boston during that time period, more than Edward G. Connors
Edward G. Connors
Edward G. Connors also known as "The Bulldog" and "Eddie", was an associate of the Winter Hill Gang and successful bar owner in Revere, Massachusetts.-Biography:...
, Anthony Veranis
Anthony Veranis
Anthony Veranis, also known as "Mickey White" and "Tony" was an associate of the Winter Hill Gang and a professional welterweight boxer.- Early life :...
, Rocco DiSiglio
Rocco DiSiglio
Rocco DiSiglio, also known as Rocky DiSiglio was an American professional welterweight boxer and associate of the Patriarca crime family who was involved in armed robbery and illegal gambling.-Boxing career:Little is known about his personal life except that he was born in Newton...
and Americo Sacramone.
Barroom brawl with Edward McLaughlin
Thomas had resentment and anger towards the McLaughlin gang, and the gang leader George McLaughlin who had attempted to extort one of his close friends for money in early December. This infuriated him to no end. Two weeks before he was murdered, he made the mistake of getting into a vicious bar room brawl with Edward McLaughlinEdward McLaughlin
Edward "Punchy" McLaughlin was a former boxer and a member of the "The McLaughlin Brothers" gang of Charlestown, Massachusetts...
. By mob associates it was considered a good battle because both McLaughlin and Sullivan were ex-professionals, but Sullivan had a more successful bout than McLaughlin and had been a main event celebrity fighter. The trouble arose from a heated argument that soon turned violent. Edward hit Sullivan from behind with a length of iron pipe, knocking him to the floor. Edward swung again but he rolled out of the way and got to his feet, his face badly bloodied from the blindsided attack. One of Sullivan's punches during the fight tore McLaughlin's ear. The bar brawl was witnessed by many South End Bostoners including Joseph Barboza, his fellow friend, sparring partner and longshoreman.
The fight played out in the barroom and then made its way out into the street. Edward, now badly beaten, finally gave up and rolled under a car parked in the street to get away. Tommy was relentless in his attack on the gangster, he lifted up one end of the car and propped one of the wheels up on the curb allowing him access to McLaughlin.
Gangland slaying
After George McLaughlin was beaten, he held a great feeling of contempt and hatred for the former professional boxing celebrity. On December 24, 1957 Thomas was called to the side of a car that was idling in the street near his East Fifth Street home at 6:35 p.m. and was shot five times, killing him. It was originally believed that one of the gunman's shots mowed down Tommy in front of an old cemetery but Medical Examiner Dr. Richard Ford revealed that three shots had nearly torn off his head and two of the shots had lodged in his shoulder. During the initial murder investigation, homicide detectives became quickly convinced that his murder was connected with the Irish MobIrish Mob
The Irish Mob is one of the oldest organized crime groups in the United States, in existence since the early 19th century. Originating in Irish American street gangs of the 19th century — depicted in Herbert Asbury's 1928 book The Gangs of New York — the Irish Mob has appeared in most...
wars between the McLaughlin Gang and the powerful Patriarca crime family. Two suspects, including Edward McLaughlin were brought in for questioning about the murder. One provided an airtight alibi clearing him of any suspicion in the murder while McLaughlin remained under suspicion. The case eventually went cold and no one was ever charged or convicted in the murder of Sullivan. Howie Carr states that Sullivan's killer was Harold Hannon. Hannon was later murdered in the ensuing Irish Mob wars.
Harold was garroted with piano wire
Piano wire
Piano wire, or "music wire", is a specialized type of wire made for use in piano strings, as well as many other purposes. It is made from tempered high-carbon steel, also known as spring steel.-Manufacture and use:...
and had his corpse tossed into the Boston Harbor on August 20, 1964.
Sullivan's bar brawling foe, mob leader George McLaughlin was shot dead at a bus stop in West Roxbury, Massachusetts
West Roxbury, Massachusetts
West Roxbury is a neighborhood in Boston bordered by Roslindale to the north, the Town of Dedham to the east and south, the Town of Brookline and the City of Newton to the west. Many people mistakenly confuse West Roxbury with Roxbury, but the two are not connected. West Roxbury is separated from...
in October 1965.
External references
- http://www.boxrec.com/list_bouts.php?human_id=47839&cat=boxer
- http://www.thebrothersbulger.com/Tommy%20Sullivan.htm
- http://www.thebrothersbulger.com/Harold%20Hannon.htm