 The close betting gave the edge to Sullivan, 100 to 89.Despite his being the smaller man, Sullivan was undefeated in eight fights, primarily in Australia and England, and had claimed the Middleweight championship of England..

Sullivan hoped to use what he believed to be an advantage in grappling, to weaken the larger Hyer by way of hard throws, legal in London Prize Ring Rules, but when this failed, Hyer's superior reach and height allowed him to dominate Sullivan.Several accounts do report that Sullivan attempted to throw Hyer in the early match with some success, and credited him with the first three.