Sullivan & Corbett
	(1892)
	While public sparring matches or exhibitions were tolerated, fighters who wished to engage in real contests were often relegated to wooded areas or floating barges to escape the police. In 1890, New Orleans passed legislation that legalized boxing as long as it was held under the Queensberry Rules. It meant that the fighters wore gloves, fought for three-minute rounds and were given a one-minute rest between the rounds. It also stated that a 10-count determined a knockout. Such legislation paved the way for the Corbett-Sullivan contest. It would be the first heavyweight title fight in history during which the participants wore gloves. The buildup to the fight began in 1891 when Sullivan was criticized for not defending his title. The Boston Strongboy took up acting and toured the world in the stage production of Honest Hearts, Willing Hands. Although he engaged in several exhibitions, he would not participate in a real fight from July of 1889 until meeting Corbett in September of 1892.

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