Was reading this interesting article theorizing than Angolan boxing may have influenced Bill Richmond's technique and how it differed to English boxers with his use of dodging, ducking, weaving; English above all prized a fighter's ability to stand rooted and take as well as give punishment. Unlike modern boxing, each fighter started face to face, each with a foot on the scratch, or starting line, and ideally battled toe to toe until one fighter was knocked down with a punch or a wrestling throw, which ended the round. The fighter who eventually was not able to return to the scratch in thirty seconds of the rounds end was declared the loser. The normal defensive practice was not to shift (step away) but absorb the blow directly or use the arms as a static shield without the aid of footwork. Pugilist and author Captain John Godfry gives a clear pic ture of the tactic in describing Broughton. "He steps not back. . . . No, Broughton steps bold and firmly in, bids welcome to the coming blow, receives it with the guardian arm."54 The most valued attribute of an English boxer was "the power of bearing blows, or what is generally called bottom." According to Egan, "There are men who seemed peculiarly formed for bottom. The severest blows make little impression on the ribs of some, and the heads of others. The old School furnishes a surprising instance of bottom. The noted Buckhorse, it is said, made a practice of standing without a guard and permitting himself to be knocked down by the hardest hitter for a trifling sum of money. The modern school also furnishes numerous instances of bottom, exhibited by Cribfb], Painter, Oliver.55 In terms of defensive techniques, the English revered "bottom" as the ultimate expre of manhood. In contrast, Richmond arrived in England with a combat style that, like Black At tic fighting styles, emphasized defensive agility. To the English, this tactic was indic of a lack of courage to "take a blow like a man." Thus Richmond's competitive pattern of fighting was initially rejected as cowardly. However, the efficacy of defen footwork and dodging became apparent with the numerous victories of Richmond o his much larger opponents. Richmond was widely regarded as excelling over all ot pugilists at "hitting and getting away."56 Unlike his flat footed English opponents, mond "had as many dodges and jumps in the ring as the party-coloured hero.... He w here there and everywhere in a twenty four foot ring; and no boxer understood wh termed milling on the retreat better."57 His ability to dodge all attacks and skillf counter punch while doing so allowed him to confound all who stood before him, des his being much lighter than his opponents. Although many contemporaries, especially inriuentiai lighters or the older Ungli style, would continue to censure defensive fighting as "an unmanly custom," Richm revolutionized the sport. His success as a professional ensured a large audience when fought the rising star Thomas Cribb, who became the champion in his next fight. T forty-two-year-old Richmond, weighing seventy-two pounds less than his twenty-f year-old and 224-pound opponent, exhibited the "danced" defense typical of Black A tic forms of combat. He "hopped and danced about the ring, sometimes falling do [intentionally dropping to the ground or perhaps into low defensive postures belo strike] at others jigging round somewhat in the style of an Otaheitan dance."58 T veteran fighters and proponents of bottom rejected Richmond's movement as cowardly and "mere burlesque, [that] ought not to have been tolerated" Although his style was initially rejected as cowardly, Richmond became one or the most sought-after trainers and exponents of the pugilistic science. His famous protegee, Molineaux, came closest to claiming the tide from Cribb.65 Yet it was Richmond who had the most lasting impact on boxings culture and technique through his innovations at London's Fives Court; these showcased gloved sparring matches that led to new standards, from which modern boxing has developed.66 Richmond was universally acknowledged as the pioneer exponent of new defensive strategies in the sport.67 He was a master of strik ing and then evading his opponents counter strikes. His defense combined dance-like footwork, side-stepping, and "many dodges and jumps."68 After a series of victories, jour nalists began to recognize his techniques as "a system" rather than "antics," and Richmond was acknowledged as excelling all other pugilists in the art of defense. This specialty earned Richmond respect and a wide following of pupils. Egan noted with admiration that there was "no pugilist better calculated to teach the science than Richmond," who "never received any lessons from any of [boxings] professors, but, on the contrary, has given instructions to some hundreds, not only in various parts of the kingdom, but in the very zenith of competition-London."69 Richmond's boxing academy was attended by subsequent black boxers including Tom Molineaux, Jim Johnson, and Massa Kendrick, in addition to numerous white fighters and enthusiasts. Even Lord Byron frequented Richmond's academy.70 Richmond also taught his revolutionary style to his son, whom Prince George of Cambridge chose as his sparring tutor.71 At the risk of stating the obvi ous, these students did not flock to Richmond in hopes he could impart some black biological superiority but to learn the defensive style that he introduced to the sport. Richmond was able to contradict the myth of black inferiority and, apart from Cribb, defeated all of his opponents. He could do this not because he had a thicker skull or more economic need than his opponents. Rather, his success can be attributed to his revolution ary fighting style, which shared an emphasis on defensive evasion with knocking and kicking and other Black Atlantic pugilisms. These black combat traditions may help to contextualize Richmond's evasion skills, which were the secret to his success and a lasting contribution to the sweet science.72 Did any boxers use a similar style to this before Richmond, or was he the first boxer to rely on agility? https://www.jstor.org/stable/26405256?seq=12
Complete bollocks. Modern Manhood; or, the Art and Practice of English Boxing - by Henry Lemoine, 1788: In Broughton's method, the pit of the stomach was more exposed, but his loins were removed totally. On the stage at that time, shifting, so much practised now, was unknown, or held as very mean and contemptible. The Modern Art of Boxing - by Daniel Mendoza, 1789: A short explanation of the technical terms used among boxers. Retreating. Receding one step backwards with the hinder leg, and the same with the foremost leg, and repeating this as often as is necessary; by which means you still retain your original situation, at the same time that you are getting from your adversary. Shifting. Running from your adversary whenever he attempts to hit you, or to come near you, or when you have struck him: this is practised with a view of tiring him out. Boxing Reviewed - by Thomas Fewtrell, 1790: Activity is in our time a greater requisite than it formerly was; for Shifting, which consists in the changing of ground, is more practised. Some have censured Shifting as an unmanly custom, but without reason. If indeed mere brutal force were to decide a combat, it might be deemed improper; but where the mind has a considerable share in the decision, as is the case at present, Shifting cannot be thought unmanly. The same censure might be passed on Fencing, or an accidental rencontre in a field of battle; but, would it not be absurd to say to a man, whose only care is the preservation of his life--"You must not avoid your enemy's sword, by changing your ground, you must not make use of that activity of which you are capable, because it is unmanly."
I’m going with a more recent guy for obvious reasons. This guy: https://boxrec.com/en/box-pro/12738 Johnny “ABBA” Aba was the dancing queen of his era. This content is protected
