John L. Sullivan (elephant)

John L. Sullivan, (circa 1860 - April 1932), was a tuskless male Asian elephant that performed in the Adam Forepaugh circus and, later, in the Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Circus.

[1][2] John would have a boxing glove placed at the end of his trunk to spar with Thompson.

He babysat for the performers' children, did heavy lifting, and led the elephant herd to and from the show grounds and train.

[3] On 9 April 1922, John, with Dexter Fellows, began a 53 mile pilgrimage from Madison Square Garden to the Elephant Hotel in Somers, New York, to pay tribute to Old Bet, the first elephant in America.

[2][4] He died of old age or of heart failure in Sarasota, Florida in 1932.