Pollack-tier books on Heenan, Sayers, Mace, Belcher, Cribb, Broughton, etc?

Not sure but I don't believe anyone has ever been on Pollack's tier for what he does from my limited reading exp, man's in his own league, not sponsored by the guy I have had my critiques but he is special at what he does IMO.

 

Don't expect anything dated before 1790 covered in details.
Don't expect multiple sources to cover what had taken place before 1815-1820.
During the 1820's (Tom Spring, Jem Ward) you could find up to 6-7 different reports of the same bout. Unfortunately, the books that were written on Cribb, Spring, Bendigo, etc. mostly relied on one source (Boxiana or Bell's Life in London or Pugilistica).

 

The Manly Art by Elliot Gorn

 

Sporting journalism, and pugilism reporting in particular, was born in late 18th century. The earliest known figure we know, who started reporting boxing in newspapers regularly (not just the results of the bouts, but misc gossips, challenges, etc.) was Edward Topham (better known as Major Topham). I'm not saying nobody else had done this, but first regular boxing coverage is attributed to him (he died on April 26, 1820, aged 69, he wrote for London World and London Morning Post).


1824-04-04 Bell's Weekly Dispatch (page 120)
The Father of Fight-writing.--Major Topham, who died at Doncaster about four years since, has recently received the reward due to his memory as a sportsman and a scholar, by the erection of a plain handsome monument of statuary marble, with a dove coloured back-ground. We are pleased with this tribute, post mortem, seeing that to him is the public indebted for many regulations regarding the prize-ring, and it was he who set the example of the present manner of reporting prize-fights. Topham for many years wrote those accounts for the Morning Post.


Another well-known early boxing reporter was George Kent, who reported boxing bouts for misc newspapers since 1790s.

1826-10-15 Bell's Life in London, and Sporting Chronicle (page 329)
DEATH OF MR. GEORGE KENT.
We have this week to announce, with sincere regret, the death of Mr. George Kent, for many years historiographer of the Ring, and in other respects connected with the detail of sporting events. In the early part of his career, Mr. Kent was connected with Bell's Weekly Dispatch, and was subsequently proprietor of a Paper, called Kent's Weekly Dispatch, which was, after a short existence, incorporated with Mr. Bell's Journal. He was also well known, for many years, as the Reporter of Milling occurrences for the daily Press, a duty which he performed with an originality of humour, and a characteristic faithfulness of description, which left all his competitors in the back ground. Of late years, however, the gradual decay of his health, arising from a too ardent devotion to "Life" in the wildest of its eccentricities, added to the rivalship of other candidates for public patronage in his "line," diminished his sources of income, and, in the evening of his days, he was reduced to the most melancholy state of distress. In fact, to use his own phrase, he had not "a feather to fly with;" and in closing his mortal career on Thursday evening last, in the 49th year of his age, while the power of utterance was still left to him, he said "he should bequeath the task of laying his bones decently in the grave to those persons who had so often derived amusement from his labors, and for whose advantage, as well as his own, he had so assiduously devoted the humble talents which he possessed."

1826-10-15 Bell's Weekly Dispatch (page 336)
Sporting Obituary.--Died, on Thursday evening, in his 49th year, Mr. George Kent; to whom the Sporting World is indebted for very many spirited accounts of boxing matches, which were given in a style of originality indicative of considerable talent--though unaccompanied by that correctness of language which can only be attained by the medium of a regular education. During the last thirty years, Mr. Kent has been in the habit of writing for the daily papers on sporting subject; and he was, for some years, part proprietor of a Sunday journal, called Kent's Weekly Dispatch and Sporting Mercury, which expired about six years ago, from the irregularity of its conductor--more than from a want of patronage on the part of that numerous circle of acquaintance who respected the talents of Mr. Kent, while they deplored his thoughtlessness.


Pierce Egan, in his Book of Sports, and Mirror of Life (page 68) wrote:
He commenced three or four sporting publications, connected with the boxers, but he never completed any one of them. His slang was well applied in his pugilistic articles--extremely witty and full of point. Several of the most learned writers of the age have stepped aside from their studies to peruse the milling articles of Kent with pleasure and amusement.


Not saying you couldn't find several different reports of the same bout prior to 1815-1820, but it'd be a difficult task, mostly all London newspapers printed the same report (I never was able to figure where they acquired them, as there were no news agencies, a-la Associated Press, back in the days).

 

During the 1820s it was probably the best time to have multiple perspectives, like I said, you could find half a dozen or more different reports of the same bout.

For example, 1st round of Jem Ward vs Sampson:

1824-12-29 Morning Advertiser (page 3)
Round 1. After shaking hands most cordially; when in attitude each man eyed his opponent with a stern determination. After some sparring, Ward let fly with his left hand, which was well stopped; he tried it again, and succeeded in resting it on Sampson's breast. A sharp rally, with mutual advantages, when they closed, and both went down together--Ward saved Sampson the trouble of using his tongue to answer that his opponent had drawn first blood, for it flowed freely from Sampson's mouth.

1824-12-29 The Morning Herald (page 1)
1. Sampson put himself in attitude with great appearance of determination. Ward stood more loosely, as if undetermined what style of fighting to adopt. He seemed to gather himself below his height as if to try at the body. Sampson was planted to the ground ready with the left to counter on his head. Sparring for a few seconds; Ward made himself up and let fly at the head; Sampson stopped him admirably. Ward, after a short interval, tried the same again; well stopped once more. Sampson hit both left and right; Ward broke away. Sampson went in; Ward fought with him a short and sharp rally; Ward got under in the fall; the ground so miry that neither could keep on the feet to wrestle. No great mischief done.

1824-12-29 The Star (page 3)
Round 1. They shook hands, and soon looked fiercely at each other. Sparring--Ward made a left hander, which Sampson stopped--another attempt, and then he hit Sampson in the breast. A bold rally round the ring, and in a close both down together.--Ward drew first blood from the mouth.

1825-01-02 Bell's Life in London, and Sporting Chronicle (page 7)
Round 1. The men were brought to the scratch at a quarter to one, and instantly threw themselves into a position. Sampson's manner was firm and imposing, and his looks betokened a determination to do his best.--Ward gathered himself into as narrow compass as possible, and throwing his head and shoulders back, worked about his terrific left hand with an evident intention to bring it into action as speedily as circumstances would admit--while with his right he kept a steady guard. Sparring for a short time. Ward let fly his left, but was stopped. Sampson countered, but was stopped also. Sampson broke ground, but was again stopped, when Ward rushed to fight and caught Sampson on the pudding-trap, rattling his grinders in a very musical manner. Sampson returned, very slightly, and in a close Ward was thrown, Sampson on him [brave! from the Brums]. Ward picked himself up and laughed.

1825-01-02 Bell's Weekly Dispatch (page 8)
Round 1. Sampson appeared eager to commence hostilities. The office had been given to Ward, over-night, that the Birmingham Youth intended to go to work instanter; Jem was therefore on the look out, and on setting-to he put himself in such an attitude, that Sampson, however he might wish to begin fighting, could find no opening for a chance. Ward gathered himself well up for hitting, and soon, let fly with the left hand; Sampson stopped the hit, and offered a quick return blow, which was broke away from. An anxious sparring match followed--each offering to let fly--each ready to stop the effort of his antagonist. Ward offered another left-handed facer, which was neatly turned off. "Beautiful," said a swell yokel, "it is as elegant as fencing--who would not ride a hundred miles to see such fighting as this?" Sampson sparred high, guarding his head well; Jem made a left-handed feint at the body, in order to bring down the hands of the Brum, and at length planted a right-handed muzzler. Sampson now went in, to try his luck at close quarters--some little fibbing, in which no mischief was done, ensued, and the men fell under the ropes: Sampson had rather the best of the fall. Sampson was picked up with claret on the left side of his mouth: Ward got up with a grin on his mug.

1825-01-02 Pierce Egan's Life in London, and Sporting Guide (page 389)
Round 1. The bust of Ward was beautiful; his lithe, but smiling mug, and his masterly attitude, proved an imposing aspect on the spectators: Samson was equally gay, firm and confident. A sharp look-out took place between them for an opening, but Ward was stopped cleverly by Phil. ("Well done," from the Brums.) Samson endeavoured to make play, but was stopped in his turn. The science exhibited was good on both sides; and Phil., by his manoeuvres, appeared to make himself up to do some mischief, but Ward said it was "no go." Some exchanges took place to the advantage of the "Lad of the East," and a slight tinge of the claret was visible on Samson's mouth. Ward fought his way in; but, in closing, he went down, and Phil. fell upon Jem. "Nothing the matter," observed ould Tom Jones, "but there soon will be, if I am any judge."


Likely John Badcock had his own version, too, in The Annals of Sporting and Fancy Gazette, which I don't have access to.

Later on (1830s-1850s) it wasn't covered as well as in the 1820s, as far as I can tell. Bell's Life in London was the main source. Egan retired, Badcock, too, Weekly Dispatch was covering boxing less and less, The Era was a good source for some years, with Harry Holt, followed by his son Henry, writing boxing for it. I suppose Miles (author of Pugilistica) did some reporting in the Sportsman's Magazine and later the Sporting World, but the issues of the latter available online are of the regular edition on the newspaper, only containing parts of his future book, while current news were included in so-called "Stamped Edition" which is not available.

 

I'd say it's more of a social study than a boxing book per se.

 

As for best books, I don't know what to recommend. I didn't quite like any of them.

Best book on pre-Broughton era is likely
https://www.amazon.com/Gladiatory-Art-Techniques-Gladiators-Sourcebook/dp/0999056786
The Gladiatory Art: The Lives, Writings, & Techniques of the Eighteenth Century Stage Gladiators. A Sourcebook.
by Ben Miller (Author)
alas, I don't have it (can't order it), but from what I gathered, it's the best you can get on James Figg and others.

After that, there are just too many gaps for the rest of the century, Pancratia, etc. only quote random pieces that are hard to rely on, I can't be sure they haven't made anything up.

First two decades of 19th century are pretty poor, too, due to Pierce Egan (main chronicler on this period, Miles mostly repeats parts from Boxiana for this period, too) having too rich imagination, can't be sure what you can trust.

There's fortunately, the Weekly Dispatch available online starting from 1817 as a good source that you can use to cross-check stuff. George Kent's namesake newspaper I haven't seen, but I recall it being quoted in one book (Bare-Knuckle Britons and Fighting Irish, by Adam Chill), so it must be available somewhere. Same for Badcock's newspaper (The Annals of Sporting and Fancy Gazette), I recall seeing full run of it (1822-1828) being sold at auctions, so it must be available somewhere.

So, basically, there are at least two newspapers (Bell's and Kent's Weekly Dispatches) from late 1810s, known for their regular boxing coverage, and there are at least 4 weeklies (Bell's Weekly Dispatch, Bell's Life in London, The Annals of Sporting, and Pierce Egan's newspapers, Life in London from 1824-1827 and Weekly Courier in 1829) from the 1820s also well known for regular boxing coverage.

Unfortunately, there's no Adam Pollack interested in this era.

 

there are Newspapers on the British Newspaper Archives going back to the 1700 odds, so there must be a good few reports about Prizefighting by the early-mid 1800's filed in their resources, Beyond what I briefly 'knew' about them, past tense, because I don't know it anymore, I was satisfied with the generalisations, it's to far back to research if you're not that interested in it.

But I suspect the Newspaper Archives offer a bit of material from the then main Newspapers.

 

britishnewspaperarchive and newspaperarchive both provide British newspapers from that era (for the 1700s the one without 'british' is a better source), but the problem is the text recognition technology doesn't work well with those old newspapers, so one has to go through the issues day by day, looking through contents in hope to find something, and 99% of them will be a miss. It wasn't until the weekly newspapers I listed above that you could find something boxing-related in pretty much every issue.

 

yeah, I can see that, even the Search Engines generally will throw out plenty of reports, however I have only recently discovered, that if you pull up individual Papers by the name of that Paper, you will get reports you didn't find come up in the general search for example.

so as the saying goes, there more than one way to skin a cat... so Try Searching in different manner and you will find further material.

Searches are not full proof, it is a lot of work and laborious, but that is Research, I have well over 4000 now for my interests.

and some searches can throw out 10's of thousands of reports, not that anyone would ever need that many, but the point is, you can't review them all, so some priceless nuggets will always be laying in wait... It's great & productive and thrilling work, but it's hard at times too.

 

I have just came across this, some of you may find it interesting, as it's on Topic, Enjoy.

https://www.exploringsurreyspast.or...rts/boxing-in-georgian-surrey-a-heroic-scene/

 

Defo worth a read