Champion of America: Tom Hyer

Tom Hyer is often regarded as the first Champion of America, claiming the title in 1841. He is also considered the second Champion of America after Tom Molineaux, or in some cases second after Jacob Hyer.
The Championship is considered to have next been claimed by John Morrissey, though Yankee Sullivan also claimed the title.


Here are excerpts from The American Prize Ring By W E Harding

1880-06-12 The National Police Gazette (page 15)
On the spring of 1842 Tom Hyer, a tall, powerful, muscular specimen of humanity, born Jan. 1, 1819, standing 6 feet 2 inches in his stocking, loomed up ominously before the public and gave promise of being the champion of the pugilistic world.

Hyer had displayed great pluck and ability in several bar-room fights and announced that he was ready to fight any man in the world, for any amount from $1,000 to $10,000 a side.

Harrington, backed up by the Washington Market gang, claimed he could whip Hyer, but no match was made.

Between these two extremes represented by Harrington and Hyer there was at this period

a sort of Irish-Ameri- can influence led by the redoubtable Mike Walsh. who was considered the boss among the Spartan band of the numerous sporting houses in the vicinity of Park Row, Madison, Walker. Chatham and Division streets. It was at this time that politics and pugilism joined hands, and old Tammany Hall, at the corner of Frankfort street and Chatham Square, New York, was a rendezvous of the pugilist elements and rough-and-tumbles were of frequent occurrence among the members of the old Empire Club and outside gangs of Washington Market roughs who swore by Boss Harrington and were always ready for a mill. Mike Walsh the leader of the Spartan band of the cellars boasted that Hyer could whip all creation, and Park Row and Chatham street were witnessing rough- and-tumbles between the partisans of the rival factions.

Hyer's challenge created great jealousy among the pugilists and their followers, but for a lime no one responded.

On September 8. 1841, just 39 years ago, Tom Hyer, who had opened a sporting house in Park Row, opposite the City Hall, New York, was surprised by John McCheester. better known as Country McCloskey, rushing into his barroom and defying him to fight. McCheester had been sent by Yankee Sullivan. who said, “Country, if he won't fight you. I will fight the big elephant.” McCloskey said to Hyer, "I can whip a whole boat full of such ducks as you. Why, you talk of licking a Yankee! You can whip me. Come over to the park; I'll fight you for fun or ducats.”

The announcement aroused Hyer, but he declined to fight in the park.

In the meantime Park Row was alive with pugilists and their patrons. Hyer at last agreed to fight, and suggested an excursion up the Hudson.

It was on September 19th, 1841, precisely one week after the Sullivan and Hammond fight, that the graduates of pugilism steered, to use the vernacular, by Jake Somerindike, took the Abany boat for Caldwell's Landing. No ring was made with ropes and stakes, as they were not necessary in those days. The men stripped and stepped up to scratch, which was drawn by Jake Somerindike.

The fight was to settle a quarrel instigated by the enemies of Sullivan who were both at the time claiming to be the "best men in the country."' It was agreed that half a minute should elapse between each round so that no benefit should accrue from foul blows on either side as all blows were considered fair.

McCloskey stripped in good condition and weighed 165 pounds. Hyer weighed 180 and was three inches taller than McCloskey and possessed a tremendous long reach. Jake Somerindike and Al. Revnolds seconded Hyer while Aleck Hamilton was bottle-holder. Yankee Sullivan and Andy Ketchum seconded McCloskey and Jack Nesbitt was his bottle-holder.

The fight was a desperate one, and during the first eleven rounds McCloskey had the best of it. Betting was in McCloskey s favor throughout. In the twenty-eighth round it was anybody's fight. McCloskey's gang, who were assembled were from the many dives that filled Division street and Chatham Square, who shouted. " You've got him Country, now give him one of them old Chatham Square fellows." " Yes, he has,'' remarked the stalwart Hyer, and accompanying the remark by a tremendous, left-hander on Country's nose, broke the nasal fountain, which appeared literally split in twain.

In the following rounds $20 to 5 was laid on Hyer.

In the forty-fourth Hyer let go one of his steam-hammers and opened a deep gash in Country's head. After seventy-three rounds had been fought neither would give in, although both were terribly punished. In the seventy-fourth round a mutual brought both to the ground, and while they lay there Hyer said, " Put it there, old fellow," and both shook hands.

Again the fight was continued, and McCloskev was knocked down. When ninety rounds had been fought neither gave anv signs of relinquishing the contest, although it was plain to all that McCloskey could not win. To save further unnecessary trouble Yankee Sullivan wanted to throw up the sponge, but the indomitable pugilist refused. He remarked: " I will fight while I can see and use my hands." Deo't throw the sponge up." In the ninety-fifth round McCloskey was again knocked down and he had been punished so terribly that his mother would hardly have known him. Again his seconds wanted to draw him. but he begged to be allowed to fight while he could see.

Both men at this stage were terribly punished. McCloskey's seconds were afraid that he would never recover, hut he would not have the fight ended. The fighting, up to the 101st round was terrific, and was only continued after the earnest pleadings of McCluskey against the better judgment of his seconds.

At the 100th round, gallant Tom Hyer, vexed because McCloskey was beaten and would not give in, exclaimed: "Oh, let him come up. let him come on. I'll kill him this time." Hyer could then hit McCloskey whenever and wherever he wished. After 101 rounds had been fought Sullivan said: " It is no use Country, banging at him. he's got you licked. I'll tackle him after a while."

McCloskey begged to be permitted to continue. but Sullivan knew that he would probably get killed and threw up the sponge. The fight lasted two hours and fifty-five minutes, and few men have since shown the thorough game qualities that McCloskey did in this battle.

Hyer, at the finish, although terribly punished, could have fought two hours longer. The pugilists at these times did not train as they do now and this fight was held —both being unprepared, under a hot. broiling sun. Sullivan was now eager to get up a match with Hyer. but another aspirant arose in the pugilistic corps—Tom Secor. He challenged Sullivan to fight. and. as Hyer refused to fight Sullivan for less than $3,000. the latter not being able to raise that amount agreed to fight Secor. The match was made and the fight took place January 4th. 1842 Secor was a large, powerful man. and weighed thirty pounds more than Sullivan. This contest created more interest than the McCloskey and Hyer fight. owing to more publicity being given to the affair. Sullivan's friends chartered the steamer Star, which went down New York Bay loaded to the guards. Secor's friends chartered the Steamer Citizen. Other steamers loaded with sporting men accompanied them.

The fight took place between Old Fort Tompkins and the Narrows, on Mr Aspinwall’s ground. Over two thousand persons were present. Sullivan was the favorite at $50 to $30. and a large amount was staked on the result. Country McCloskey and Rill Ford seconded Sullivan, while Frank Speight, afterward Captain of the Metropolitan Police Boat and Abe Vanderzee attended and seconded Secor, The fight was a desperate one. Sullivan displayed numerous tricks and constantly dropped down to avoid the blows. He punished Secor terribly, and after sixty-five rounds, had been fought it seemed cruel to let Secor fight any more. He was fearfully cut up and as helpless as a child. Sullivan now came forward, and grasping Secor by the hand which the latter shook, advised that he should be withdrawn. Secor refused to give up and continued to stand up ani be butchered until sixty-seven rounds had been fought, when his seconds would not let bun fight any longer and Sullivan was declared the winner. This battle was the most determined one ever witnessed during the early history of Pugilism in America ; but. it was afterwards superseded by one more terrible which will be reached during our history of the American Prize Ring.

 

1880-06-19 The National Police Gazette (page 15)

A sensation followed in prize ring circles by the arrival in 1842 of Ben Caunt, the then noted English pugilist. He came to this country to fight Hyer, Harrington or Sullivan. Caunt was not. however, agreeabe to make a match after his arrival, being afraid he would not receive fair play, and he returned to England.

. . .

[T]he rival gangs that resided in Gotham made strenuous efforts to bring Tom Hyer, the greatest pugilist America ever saw, and Yankee Sullivan together. Sullivan’s friends were legion, and they were ready to back the Irish-American champion against Hyer, but the stakes were too high. Hyer said “Why, it’s certain I can whip ‘Yank’ What is the use of making a match for $1,000 when his backers will presently get hot and put up five times that amount. In the meantime the great match was agitated and hung with Sullivan’s friends refusing to ratify a match for $5,000 a side, which Hyer stipulated must be the amount of the Stakes.

1880-07-03 The National Police Gazette (page 14)

Pugilism in America in 1848 was a flourishing institution. Tom Hyer was looked upon as the champion not only of America hut of the world. Among the native-born sporting men he was a great favorite, but he had a rival who was hacked up by the Irish Brigade, an organization that flourished at that time and combined with pugilism and politics. Hyer wanted to fight Sullivan and the latter was equally anxious to meet the American giant. Sullivan made the remark that he could and he would whip the big monument, and he finished the sentence with, " you bet I can.”

On the same day Sullivan entered Hyer's saloon full of fight. Hot words ensued and finally Hyer and Sullivan were engaged in a rough-and-tumble tight. It was a decisive and desperate affair and Sullivan received a terrible beating. The news spread like fire through the sporting drums and the result was freely discussed by sporting men.

Sullivan was mortified and then eager to fight Hyer in a ring. Finally on August 7, 1848, the pugilists , met at Ford's Tavern, 28 Park Row, when Hyer agreed to fight Sullivan for f.5,000. A forfeit was put up and the match arranged, both pugilists agreeing to fight at catch weight according to the new rules of the London prize ring on .January 7, 1849, tor $5,000 a side.

Four months after the match was made the pugilists went into training. Country McClorkey and Tom O'Donnell trained Sullivan at Shaw's Hotel, East New York, while Joe Winrow and George Thompson trained Hyer at P. Dodge's Hotel at McCorub's Dam.

In the meantime on both sides of the Atlantic the battle was the topic in sporting circles.

Yankee Sullivan had crossed to England and whipped the great Hammer Lane. From the pluck and science ho displayed many sporting men thought he would be able to trim Hyer. Large sums were wagered on the result and Hyer soon became the prime favorite.

Sullivan and Hyer had agreed that the fight should lake place near Virginia or Maryland. Sullivan won the toss and selected Pool Island in Chesapeake Hay. The authorities, however, harassed the pugilists and they changed the locality and went to Rock Point,Kent county, Maryland. A ring was pitched, the snow cleaned away and hot bricks were placed in the ring for the pugilists to warm their feet, it was such a dreadfully cold day.

Hyer was 6 feet 2½ inches in height and weighed 185 pounds. Sullivan stood 5 feet 10½ inches in height and weighed 155 pounds.


Johnny Ling won the toss for choice of corners for Sullivan and the latter selected a corner that would cause the sun to shine In Hyer's face. Tommy burns and Joe Winrow seconded Hyer while Hyer's brother was bottle-holder. Johnny Ling an>dCountry McCloskey seconded Sullivan and Stephen Wilson was his bottle-holder. Hyer displayed his colors, the stars and stripes, while the plucky Yankee Sullivan's colors were a green silk handkerchief with oval spots of white.

All being ready the pugilists received the finishing touches from their seconds. The seconds then advanced, shook hands and returned to their respective corners. The referee called time and the pugilists advanced, shook hands, and all was ready for the great battle.

 

The officials of the great fight were Sam Van Nostrand, referee, and H. Colton and J.J. Way were the umpires.

Round 1. As Sullivan faced Hyer no one could help admiring the grit and pluck he displayed bv agreeing to face such a modern giant. Sullivan was completely over-matched as his opponent was thirty pounds heavier, several inches taller and possessed a greater amount of strength and a longer reach than Sullivan. Hyer was a splendid specimen of a pugilistic champion, and America will never again have a champion his equal

It was well known that Sullivan would make a good fight, but it was long odds that he could not whip Hyer, bare accident, before the fight began.

The fight opened with Sullivan on the dash; Hyer on the wail. Sully made a running blow with his left at Hyer's head. Failing in that, he tried to get away from a prompt counter hit made by Hyer's left, and partly succeeded in avoiding it, but Hyer Instantly followed with his right and planted a stinger on Sully's forehead. Sullivan then rushed in to give body blows, and. after some smart but ineffective exchanges, he clinched Hyer on the under hold for a throw. The hopes of Sullivan's friends had been mainly based upon his well known o abilities as a wresler. But, now. indeed, he found his master. After several almost superhuman efforts. and when his best strength had been exhausted,.Hyer coollv took him by the upper hold and wrenched him to the earth, making him a present of all Hyer's weight at the same time. Shouts for Hyer.

2. On toeing the scratch, Sully's forehead showed the ruby from the blow given by Hyer's right .The cries of “First blood for Hyer" seemed to madden Sullivan, and take away what little caution be had. After severe exchanges on eyes and body, and Hyer giving another stinger with his right on Sully's forehead again, the latter tried his clinch with the under-hold again, but again Hyer twisted him to the ground as if he were a newspaper mall bag, Hyer on top as usual.

3 Sullivan went in for the reckless, and tried all his old points and dodges at the same time.Terrific exchanges were made, and Sully got in a tremendous body blow that staggered Hyer back for two steps, and finally sent him to the ground on his seat, Sullivan’s friends then took a turn at the shouting and Sully’s old smile of wicked glee once more illuminated his knotty features.

4. The thing seemed about even now, and both men came up with great alacrity. Some open-handed exchanges look place, but the men were cautious. Hyer gave another stinger on the forehead, and Sully gave another burster on the body. Sully soon ran in for his favorite hold, but Hyer straightened him out again by main strength, and threw all his weight on Sully into the bargain. A claim of " foul " was made on account of the length of time Hyer laid upon Suilivan, but the referee decided that the seconds of the under man should bestir themselves to take their principal away.

Sullivin had so far had decidedly the worst of the struggle.

5. From this to the 14th round, the 4th round may be considered a fair example, and repetition is not needed. In the 6th, Sullivan's tremendous exertions produced nervous twitchings in his legs. In the 8th, Hyer’s left eye began to swell and show the effects of Sully's compliments given in the 2d round. In the 13th, Hyer backed Sullivan over the ropes, and while they were fibbing, a person named Hennessey, from Boston, is said to have caught hold of the thumb of Hyer's hand that was on the rope. and bent the thumb backward. Hyer then let go, clinched Sullivan, threw him. and fell upon him, as usual. Sullivan's seconds exhibited an extraordinary backwardness while coming to pick up their man after his being thrown.

15. Sullivan very doubtful on his pins. Again he was sent to the ropes, where Hyer wrenched his left arm in such a manner as to leave it almost useless. Sully down again from a clear throw, and Hyer on top, as usual.

16. Sully's left arm full of tremors from pain. Hyer had previously made him do all his fighting within his half of the ring, and on this occasion Hyer advanced beyond the score, where Sully got a couple of stunners on the dial, which he took without wincing. Hyer again rushed him to the ropes, again threw him. and again fell on him. On taking Hyer off. Sully was found to be completely poweriess. and Hyer was proclaimed the victor in 17 minutes and six seconds, In short, Yankee Sullivan, brave and skillful as he was, had found his "master."

The battle was a short and desperate one. Sullivan was overmatched. Hyer proved that he was one of the greatest pugilists that ever entered the ring for a man of his proportions.

Hyer was badly punished, but his injuries were nothing compared with the terrible beating Sullivan received from Hyer's trip-hammer blows. Sullivan was so terribly battered that he had to be conveyed to the Mount Hope Hospital in Raltimore, and afterward took the cars for Yo:k, Pa , on his way home to New York. Hyer was arrested at Philadelphia, having stayed there one night (a requisition from the Governor of Maryland, based upon the idea that Sullivan's life was in danger, having been sent after him); but. as Sullivan arrived in New York on Thursday evening, Hyer could not be detained. All the large cities were much "exercised in mind." In New- York, as might naturally be expected, all classes shared, some more, some less, in those passing throes of public feeling and chaotic patriotism.

Sullivan's wonderful physique and endurance and his great constitution soon enabled him to recover from the effects of the terrible beating he had received from Tom Hyer.

 

Thanks for reading. There are some contemporary newsreports on Hyer, I add some to help add to the picture, but this took a bit of time to clean up.
Heavyweight Champions from Ancient to Present
Bareknuckle history meta-thread

Edit: I'll put this in it's proper place
The Wabash Courier, Volume 17, Number 27,Terre Haute, Vigo County, 3 March 1849
TOM HVER.—A New York letter says: "Hyer appears to-night at the Bowery as the principal bruiser in Tom and Jerry, and every ticket has been sold, and thousands were disappointed in not procuring them. He presided at the bar of the Branch Hotel on Sunday, and such was the anxiety to drink his health that $2,000 was spent in the operation."
https://newspapers.library.in.gov/cgi-bin/indiana?a=d&d=WACO18490317.1.2&txq=tom+hyer

More for the Morrissey thread
http://idnc.library.illinois.edu/cgi-bin/illinois?a=d&d=NYC18540729.2.13&txq=tom+hyer

 

I was interested in seeing the opinions of him from across the pond.

Bell's Life in London and Sporting Chronicle - Sunday 11 March 1849
REMARKS
The foregoing contest may be aptly termed a "hurricane fight." From the commencement to close it was bitter, unremitting, and determined. On the part of Sullivan, it consisted of a series of quick and almost superhuman efforts to outfight and stun his antagonist from the start, while Hyer who seemed to be thouroughly aware of his intent, contented himself with standing at the scratch and forbidding any entrance to his side, by the tremendious counter-hits which he delivered in return for Sullivan's rapid visitations. He did not attempt to make parrying a leading feature of his policy, but for the greater portio of the time cheerfully met Sullivan's blow for the chance of countering. He had evidently settled upon this as his policy for the fight, judging correctly, that if hit and hit was to be the order of the day, the weakest structure must go to pieces in the struggle, in addition to this Hyer showed excellent skill in fighting, and his method of hitting short with the left, as a preliminary to the paixan discharge of right, in the style of a half upper-cut, could not have been excelled in the use which he made of it, by the best hitter who have sown themselves in the Prize Ring. To help him still further, he was cool and self-possessed, with the exception of a moment or two at the opening of the fourth round, when he seemed either shaken by his fall, or stung from his control, by the cheers which greeted Sullivan for the handsome blow. Sullivan, on the other hand, fought wild and over eager. He did not display that shredness and care which had characterised his previous fights. There never was, perhaps, a battle in which there was so much fighting in so short a space of time; non, certainly, in which more resolute punishment was given and take, without flinching on either side. The history of the fight consists of the fact that Sullivan was overmatched. Such is the account given by out contemporary of this affair. Sullivan subsequently gave formal notice to the stakeholder not to pay over the stake, but this was withdrawn, on the referee giving his formaal written decision, and Hyer bagged his "gold dust" triumphantly.