James Figg

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James Figg (1695[2] – 7 December 1734, surname sometimes spelt 'Fig'[3]) exhibited and taught methods of fighting with swords, cudgels and fists from a base in London in the eighteenth century. He is widely recognized as the first English bare-knuckle boxing champion, reigning from 1719 to 1730.

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James Figg c. 1727–1729. The verses below read:
The Mighty Combatant, the first in Fame,
The lasting Glory of his Native Thame,
Rash, & unthinking Men! at length be Wise,
Consult your Safety, and Resign the Prize,
Nor tempt Superior Force; but Timely Fly
The Vigour of his Arm, the Quickness of his Eye.[1]

LifeEdit
James Figg was born in Thame in Oxfordshire,[3]"during the reign of William III",[4] and fought his early prize fights there. According to one source, he came to the attention of the Earl of Peterborough, who was a "staunch patron of all brave and manly sports", and who brought him to London.[4] In 1719 he started his own school based at an amphitheatre in Tottenham Court Road, London, where he taught boxing, fencing, and quarterstaff.[3] In 1720, he was fighting at an amphitheatre in Marylebone near the Oxford Road (now called Oxford Street).[5] He also demonstrated his skills at booths and rings set up on parks and fields.

In 1725, the poet John Byrom visited Figg's amphitheatre where, at a cost of 2s 6d, he saw Figg fight Ned Sutton. He reported: "Figg had a wound and bled pretty much; Sutton had a blow with a quarterstaff just upon his knee, which made him lame, so then they gave over".[6]

In June 1727, Sutton had his revenge over Figg, beating him at his own amphitheatre. Figg was forced to withdraw, having suffered a wound in the belly and being "Cloven in the Foot".[7]

On 11 October 1729, it was reported that Figg had been made gate-keeper to Upper St James's Park by the Earl of Essex.[8]

In October 1730, it was reported: "yesterday the invincible Mr. James Figg fought at his Amphitheatre Mr. Holmes, an Irishman, who keeps an Inn at Yaul near Waterford in Ireland, and came into England on purpose to fight this English Champion". It was reported that during the bout, Holmes had his wrist cut to the bone and was therefore forced to retire. It was stated that this fight was the two hundred and seventy-first contest fought by Figg without defeat.[9]

In December 1731, Figg contested a sword-fight with John Sparks before the vising Duke of Lorraine. Foreign ministers and Nobility were also stated to be in the audience for the fighting which took place at the New Theatre, Haymarket.[10][11]

Although records were not kept as precisely at the time, the common belief is that Figg had a record of 269–1 in 270 fights. His only loss came when Ned Sutton beat him to claim the title. Figg demanded a rematch, which he won, and also went on to retire Sutton in a rubber match. After 1730 he largely gave up fighting, and relied on his three protégés to bring in spectators: Bob Whittaker, Jack Broughton, and George Taylor. Taylor took over Figg's business upon Figg's death in 1734, though Broughton went on to become his most famous protégé.[12]

Figg died on 7 December 1734 and was buried in St Marylebone Parish Churchyard on 12 December of that year.[13] He left behind a wife and several children. [14]

 

Of course !!!

on a serious note, I bet some of those 18th century fights must have been both interesting and brutal.

 

Figg is regarded by some historians as boxing’s first heavyweight champion. But in truth I don’t think what men of his time did was “boxing.” I think it was actually just pure “ fighting.” From the sound of it, it seemed like anything goes. Including weapon usage.

 

I haven’t read those writings but it sounds interesting. Good post

 

I think that would be something that a lot of us would be interested in. Perhaps start a separate thread on the topic. Over the years I have become increasingly more interested in ancient and obsolete forms of pugilism. James Figg is a character I’ve always been fascinated in.