18th Century Boxing/References to the sport in old newspapers

1748-11-26 The Whitehall Evening-Post Or London Intelligencer (page 2)
A few Nights since was buried John James, particularly famous for his Art and Bravery in Boxing, the Funeral (which was extraordinary decent) was defrayed by his Father. It was remarkable, that his Pall was supported by Broughton, Taylor, Stevenson, Smallwood, Slack, and Field, six of the most celebrated Bruisers that this, or perhaps any Age has produced.

 

1748-02-20 The Ipswich Journal (page 2)
Country News.

2. Norwich, Feb. 13.

At Broughton's Amphitheatre in London on Wednesday last, was decided the third Battle between George Taylor the Barber and John Slack, which ended in Favour of the Barber in twelve Minutes, in which not above three were employed in Fighting, both being very circumspect, and trying to make each other Fight. There were very few Blows or Falls: The Barber was in very fine Order, and not only fixed a severe Blow on Slack just below his Ribs (where he had stopped several before with his Elbows) which he could not get rid of, but followed it with two or three more desperate ones in the same Place, which forc'd Slack to give up.---The Truth is, that Strength and Weight must be served, and there was a great Superiority in both on Taylor's Side.---The Box was 117l. Norwich Mercury.

 

1748-02-04 The London Daily Advertiser (page 2)
At Mr. Broughton's Amphitheatre in Oxford-Road, on Wednesday next, the 10th instant, will be a decisive Trial of Manhood between

John Slack, from Norwich,
and
George Taylor.

Tickets will be deliver'd at the Door for the Matted Gallery at Five Shillings each.

The Doors to be opened at Nine.

Note, For the more convenient Reception of the Sporting Gentlemen, Mr. Broughton has greatly enlarg'd his Gallery.

N. B. Mr. Broughton proposes, with proper Assistants, to open an Academy at his House in the Hay-Market, for the Instruction of those who are willing to be initiated in the Mystery of Boxing; where the whole Theory and Practice of that truly British Art, with all the various Stops, Blows, Cross-Buttocks, &c. incident to Combatants, will be fully taught and explain'd; and that Persons of Quality and Distinction may not be deterr'd from entering into a Course of these Lectures, they will be given with the utmost Tenderness and Regard to the Delicacy of the Frame and Constitution of the Pupil, for which Reason Mufflers are provided, that will effectually secure them from the Inconveniency of black Eyes, broken Jaws, and bloody Noses.



1748-02-10 The Derby Mercury (page 2)
London, February 11.

Thursday was fought at Broughton's Amphitheatre in Oxford-Road, the famous and long expected Battle between John Slack and James Field, for fifty Guineas, which lasted one Hour and Thiry-one Minutes, and at last was won by the former.

 

1744-04-23 London Daily Advertiser (page 2)
At Broughton's Amphitheatre, near Tyburn-Road, Tomorrow, the 24th instant, will be decided the great TRIAL of MANHOOD, between
JOHN BROUGHTON
AND
GEORGE STEPHENSON.
The Doors to be open at Eight, and the Champions mount at Ten.
Tickets to be had at John Broughton's, St. James's Market; and at Brooke-Street, Coffee-House, Brooke Street, Grolvenor-Square.


At the Great Booth in Tottenham-Court, commodiously repair'd for the better Reception of Gentlemen who delight in the manly Art of Boxing, on Thursday the 26th instant, will be a severe Trial between the following Combatants.
Whereas Mr. Smallwood, by an accidental Blow in our last Engagement, depriv'd me of both my Sight and Senses, whereby he came off victorious, vainly imagines himself superior to me in Manhood; in order to convince him of his Error, as likewise continue the Reputation I have obtained, by twice defeating Mr. John James, do invite Mr. Smallwood to fight me for Twenty Pounds.
John Slack.
I Thomas Smallwood accept the challenge, and will not fail to meet Mr. Slack, and fight him for his Sum.
Thomas Smallwood.
Note, There will be several Bye Battles as usual, particularly one between the noted Buckhorse and the hardy Butcher.
The Doors will be open'd at Ten, and the Masters mount at Twelve.


1744-04-25 London Daily Advertiser (page 1)
LONDON.
Yesterday the great Boxing-Match was fought at Broughton's Amphitheatre in Oxford-Road, between Broughton and Stephenson, when the former beat his Antagonist in eight Minutes and a half.

 

1743-10-22 The Ipswich Journal (page 1)
Sunday's Post.
LONDON, October 15

Yesterday was fought the grand Boxing-Match, in the Great Booth at Tottenham-Court, between Mr. John Slack the Champion of Norfolk, and Mr. John James the most famous Boxer of London : The Betts were Twenty Pounds to Five, and Ten Pounds to Two, on the Head of Mr. James; as he was the best Boxer publickly known in London, having beat all that he had fought : But the Londoners were prodigiously let in, having laid great Sums of Money ; for Mr. John Slack beat their famous Hero in less than eight Minutes, though there were great Odds laid that Mr. James would beat Mr. Slack in two Minutes. Slack gave James such Falls by Cross-Buttocks as quite demolished him, and his Blows with his Hands were such as James shrunk at every Time. In short Mr. James was, within Eight Minutes Time, by several Men carried off the Stage for dead. The said Mr. Slack a few Days before boxer a famous Irishman in Morefields, and beat him blind in less than four Minutes. Norwich Gazette.

 

1738-05-11 The Derby Mercury (page 4)
Last Friday Night was buried, Thomas Allen, commonly called Pipes, particularly famous for his Art and Bravery in Boxing; He was Gallery Door keeper to Drury-Lane Playhouse; and the Funeral (which was extraordinary decent) was, for his faithful Services, defray'd by his Master. It was remarkable, that his Pall was supported by John Broughton, Nathaniel Peartree, George Taylor, George Stevenson, Benjamin Boswell, and Thomas Dimmack. Six of the most celebrated Boxers that this or perhaps any Age has produced. To see half a Dozen such brave Fellows affectionately and decently attending him to his Grave is an Instance (as in their Scene of Life he was often their Antagonist) of the innate generous Love of Valour for which Englishmen are so justly distinguish'd.

 

1738-03-30 London Evening-Post (page 2)
Thursday Noon was decided the great Boxing Match at the Booth at Tottenham-Court, between the famous John Broughton and George Stephenson, Coachman to the Right Hon. the Marquess of Powis, for 100l. (Pipes was second to Broughton, and the fighting Barber to the Coachman) when Broughton beat his Antagonist in 16 Minutes and an Half. Several considerable Sums were depending, and a great Number of Persons of Distinction present; It was one of the hardest Battles ever known, and both were oblig'd to be carried off the Stage, terribly bloody and bruis'd. One Mayner, a Barber and Perriwigg-maker in Dean-street, Soho, was squeaz'd to Death in attempting to get into the Booth.

 

Interesting stuff, these ones are from my old stomping ground, Tyburn road near Hyde Park corner. I was born in Paddington, a local Notting Hill lad and as a kid worked and played in the west end, so walked past it all the time. You mentioned you were a history buff, Tyburn was the premier place in England to hang people and execute people. It was also the site of a medieval battle. I think that "Grolvenor-Square" is Grovsvenor Square where the US embassy is.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tyburn

 

1751-02-09 The Ipswich Journal (page 3)
Friday Post.

London, Thursday, February 7.

16. We hear that the Boxing Theatre in Tyburn Road will soon be suppressed by the Bench of Justices, as it is thought to contribute to the Nursery of a great Number of loose, idle, and disorderly People. Wh. Ev. Post.

17. Yesterday was decided the Boxing-Match between Taylor and Slack, which lasted about 15 Minutes, and was ended in favour of Taylor, at a Time when it was thought that Slack would have beat him, the Odds being Ten to One of it; but it was said that in the last Fall he hurt his Leg, and therefore gave out.


1751-02-16 The Ipswich Journal (page 1)
Country News.

1. Norwich, Feb. 9. At Broughton's Amphitheatre, on Wednesday last, after the most bloody Battle that ever was seen for the time it lasted, which was just sixteen Minutes, George Taylor beat his Antagonist John Slack, from this City. The House was full before Nine, and the Fight over by Ten o'Clock. The Odds before setting to were Two to One on Taylor. For the first six Minutes there never was faster Fighting, or more terrible Blows and Falls, but Slack had the worst of it, and the Odds were greater against him than at the Beginning; but in the next five Minutes, which were employed in hard Boxing, without a Fall, the Battle was brought even, and both of them seemed equally tired, and out of Wind; from this time, Slack's straight Blows began to take Place, and he had greatly the Advantage, both in Fighting and Falls, insomuch that the Odds were at 14 Minutes more in his Favour than they had ever been against him; 'till unluckily, when it was impossible for him to have lost but by an Accident, by a Twist of his Leg to disengage himself from his Adversary's Lock, and in which he succeeded so as to give the Fall, he had the Misfortune to put out his Knee, which lost him almost a certain Victory. Taylor, who may be truly said, to have won this Battle out of the Fire, has declared he will appear no more on the Stage, so that our Countryman is now the first Fighting Man in England. There was above 200l. in the boxes, besides Tickets.

 

1751-03-16 The Ipswich Journal (page 3)
We are assured that George Taylor, the noted Boxer, is match'd to fight Tom Smallwood, of Bow-Street, Covent-Garden, well known in the same Art, on the 1st of May next, 100 Guineas to 50; and that there are very great Bets depending on this Battle, Smallwood having thrice beaten the famous Norwich Butcher, Slack.

 

1752-01-21 London Daily Advertiser (page 2)
I George Lea, who fought Mr. John Slack at the Corner of Bow-Street, Covent-Garden; the sole Reason of my not beating, was owing to my being so much in Liquor, not having been in Bed for three Nights before; and I have since challenged to fight him for Twenty Pounds, or any Sum he likes, on the Ground, which he refuses: I hereby give the second Challenge to fight him for Twenty Pounds on the publick Stage, being resolv'd to fight him the second Time, with two Seconds that never were Seconds on the publick Stage.


1752-01-23 London Daily Advertiser (page 2)
At Mr. Broughton's Amphitheatre, in Oxford-Road, on Wednesday next, the 29th instant, will be decided the Battle depending between George Lea, the Chairman, and John Slack, the Butcher.

To fight for Twenty Pounds each.

Bye-Battles as usual.

 

1752-11-25 The Ipswich Journal (page 1)
Country News.

Extract of a Letter from London, dated Nov. 15.

'This Day at Broughton's Amphitheatre, came on the Boxing-Match between Slack and Goddard, on the first Set to, 50l. to 20l. was laid on Slack, and several Pounds laid 3 to 1; Slack gave the two first Falls, but Goddard gave the Third, which made the House ring; after that, Goddard (who is much stronger than Slack) endeavored all he could to close with Slack and buttock him, rather than stand fair Boxing, by which Means he falled Slack often, and within 14 Minutes and a half our Norwich Hero was obliged to submit, and to all Appearance was very much beaten.' Norw. Merc.--See E 14 of last Week.

 

1754-09-07 Jackson's Oxford Journal (pages 2-3)
"Harlston in Norfolk, July 30. Yesterday in the afternoon Slack and Pettit met and fought. At the first Set-to, Pettit seized Slack by the throat, and held him up against the rails, and grain'd him so much as to make him turn extremely black; this continued for half a minute before Slack could break Pettit's hold; after which for near ten minutes Pettit kept fighting and driving hard at Slack, when at length Slack clos'd with his antagonist, and gave him a very severe fall, and after that a second and third; but between these falls Pettit threw Slack twice off the Stage, and indeed Pettit so much dreaded Slack's falls, that he ran directly at his hams, and tumbled him down, and by that means gave Slack an opportunity of making the falls very easy; when they had been fighting eighteen minutes, the odds ran against Slack a guinea to a shilling; whereas on first setting out, it was three or four to one on his head; but after this time Slack shortened Pettit so, as to disable him from running and throwing him down in the manner he had done before, but obliged him to stand to close fighting. Slack then clos'd one of his eyes, and beat him very much about the face. At twenty minutes Pettit grew weaker, Slack stronger; this was occasioned by Slack's strait way of fighting. At twenty-two minutes the best judged allow'd Slack to have the advantage over Pettit very considerably, as he was then recovering his Wind, which was owing to Game; when they had box'd twenty-four minutes, Pettit threw Slack again over the rails. This indeed Slack suffered him to do, as by that means he fixed a blow under Pettit's ribs, that hurt him much. Whilst Slack was again getting upon the stage (it was not half a minute before he was remounted) Pettit had so much the fear of his antagonist before his eyes, that he walk'd off without so much as civilly taking leave of the spectators, or saying any thing to any person. This the Cockers call roguing of it; for it is thought Pettit run away full strong. The whole time of their fighting was twenty-five minutes; and this morning the Battle was given to Slack, who drew the first ten guineas out of the box." Thus ended this dreadful combat.

Every man, who has the honour of the British fist at heart, must look with admiration on the Bottom, the Wind, the Game, of this invincible champion Slack. How must they applaud his address in fighting strait; and with what detestation must they look upon his dastard antagonist, who could so shamefully rogue it!

I cannot but lament the cruelty of that law, which has shut up our Amphitheatres: and I look upon the professors of the noble art of Boxing as a kind of disbanded army, for whom we have made no provision. The mechanics, who at the call of glory left their mean occupation, are now obliged to have recourse to them again; and coachmen and barbers resume the whip and razor, instead of giving black eyes and cross-buttocks. Some have been forced to exercise their art in knocking down passengers in dark alleys and corners; while others have learned to open their fists and ply their fingers in picking pockets. Buckhorse, whose knuckles had been used to indent many a bruise, now clenches them only to grasp a lin; and Broughton employs the muscles of his brawny arm in squeezing a lemon or drawing a cork. His Amphitheatre itself is converted into a Methodist Meeting-house! and perhaps (as laymen are there admitted into the pulpit) those very fists, which so lately dealt such hearty bangs upon the stage, are now with equal vehemence thumping the cushion.

The dextrous use of the fist is truly British exercise: and the sturdy English have been as much renowned for their Boxing as their Beef; both which are by no means suited to the watry stomachs and weak sinews of their enemies the French. To this nutriment and this art is owing that long-established maxim, that one Englishman can beat three Frenchmen. A Frenchman, who piddles on a fricassee of frogs, can no more encounter with an Englishman, who feeds upon beef, than the frog in the fable could swell her little body to the size of an ox.

Our present race of spindle-shanked beaux had rather close with an orange wench at the playhouse, than engage in a bye battle at Tottenham Court. It is therefore no wonder, that they should object to this manly practice, for which they are so ill fitted. How can we imagine, that they could stand against the buffets of a bruiser when they might be patted down with the fan of a lady? An attempt was once made by Broughton to bring this study into vogue, by establishing a School for Boxing, in which he himself was to be the Lecturer. He invited the young gentlemen of the army, and all other men of spirit, to engage under his directions; and promised to arm their feeble wrists with muessirs, so that nothing might be apprehended by the sostest head or tenderest skin. A few indeed were hardy enough to try a fall with him: but most of our young fellows gave up the gauntlet for scented gloves; and loathing the mutton fists of vulgar carmen and porters, they rather chose to hang their hands in a sling, to make them white and delicate as a lady's. I cannot but regret, that this design was not generally encouraged, as it might perhaps have abolished almost the only use, that is at present made of the sword; and men of honour, instead of tilting at each other, might have had satisfaction in a tight Set-to behind Mountague House.

The amusement of Boxing I must confess is more immediately calculated for the vulgar, who can have no relish for the more refined pleasures of whist and the hazard table. Men of fashion have found out a more genteel employment for their hands in shuffling a pack of cards and shaking the dice: and indeed it will appear upon a strict review, that most of our fashionable diversions are nothing else but different branches of gaming. What lady would be able to boast a route at her house consisting of three or four hundred persons, if they were not to be drawn together by the charms of playing a rubber?

To this polite spirit of gaming, which has diffused itself through all the fashionable world, is owing the vast encouragement that is given to the Turf; and horse-races are esteemed only as they afford occasion for making a bet. The same spirit likewise draws the knowing ones together in a ****-pit; and cocks are rescued from the dunghill, and armed with gaffles, to furnish a new species of gaming. For this reason among others I cannot but regret the loss of our elegant amusements in Oxford Road and Tottenham ourt. A great part of the spectators used to be deeply interested in what was doing on the stage, and were as earnest to make an advantage of the issue of the battle, as the champions themselves to draw the largest sum from the box. The Amphitheatre was at once a school for boxing and gaming. Many thousands have depended upon a match; the odds have often risen at a black eye; a large bet has been occasioned by a cross-buttock: and while the house has resounded with the lusty bangs of the combatants, it has at the same time echoed with the cries of five to one, six to one, ten to one.

The loss of this branch of gaming is a publick calamity; and I doubt not but the gentlemen at White's, and all others whom it concerns, will use their endeavours to have it restored. The many Plates given all over the kingdom have undoubtedly improved our breed of horses; and if the diversion of Boxing was to meet with equal encouragement, we should certainly have a more stout and hardy race of bruisers. It might perhaps become a fashion for gentlemen, who were fond of the sport, to keep champions in training, put them in sweats, diet them, and breed up the human species with the same care as they do cocks and horses. In course of time this branch of gaming, like all others, would doubtless be reduced to a science; and Broughton, in imitation of that great genius Hoyle, might oblige the publick with a treatise of the Fist, and Calculations for laying the Odds at any Match of Boxing.

 

Nothing changes!

 

1755-02-15 Jackson's Oxford Journal (page 1)
London.
From the London Evening Post.

On Thursday last a great Boxing Match was fought at Bristol, between Harris and Slack, when Slack beat his Antagonist in about six Minutes. The Odds, at the Beginning of the Battle, were ten to one on Harris, occasioned by Slack's receiving the first Fall.


1755-03-07 The Derby Mercury (page 4)
London, March 11.

Thursday last was decided at Bristol, the great Boxing Match between John Slack and Cornelius Harris. The Battle lasted upwards of twenty Minutes, when Harris was obliged to confess he could fight no longer. It is said he is so much bruised, that he cannot recover.


1755-03-15 Jackson's Oxford Journal (page 1)
From the Utrecht Gazette.

London, Feb. 28.

Thursday last was decided at Bristol, the great Boxing Match between John Slack and Cornelius Harris. The Battle lasted upwards of twenty Minutes and was carried on with great Vigour on both Sides; but at last Mr. Harris was obliged to confess he could fight no longer. It is said, he is so much bruised that he cannot recover. On this Battle centred all the Hopes of that Family, who have now lost their boasted Honour of having never been beat.