The Wasp — 1892 — page 438: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This satirical cartoon from *The Wasp* depicts a betting scene at what appears to be a bar or saloon. The central question, posed in the caption, asks: "Will John L. or Pompadour Jim Prove the Winner?" This refers to a proposed boxing match between **John L. Sullivan** (a famous heavyweight champion) and **"Pompadour Jim"** (likely Jim Corbett, known for his pompadoured hairstyle). The cartoon mocks the intense public wagering and debate surrounding their potential fight. The top panels show exaggerated boxing poses, while the bottom panels depict men frantically betting money (marked with dollar signs). The satire ridicules both the obsessive public interest in prizefighting and the gambling fervor it generated among working-class men during this era of American boxing popularity.