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

While we're on Slack, does anyone know where the claim he was Figg's grandson came from?

 

I was booted for a while, not ignoring.

Exciting stuff fellas.

 

Do the mods ever explain why they boot people?

 

edit - I meant my original post was too long not the thread.

 

Very very ****in' cool.

 

Derby Mercury - Friday 13 September 1765
Tuesday Morning early a Battle was fought in St. George's fields, between James Ellis, a Carman, and William Round, a Paviour, called Stick-in-the-Mud, for five Guineas a Side, besides, many Bets depending ; when, after a Contest of near twenty-two Minutes, Round beat his Antagonist ; but they were both so much bruised, that theywere obliged to be carried home by their Companions ; and neither of them were able to speak when put to Bed

Newcastle Chronicle - Saturday 23 May 1767
Yesterday morning the fighting butcher, known by the name Primroe, fought with one Layton, a paviour, in a field near the Foundling hospital, for a wager of 20l. besides considerable betts :
The batte lasted near 32 minutes, and Primrose came off conqueror ; though both parties were so much bruised that they were carried away in a coach.

 

Some of this one is hard to read

Ipswich Journal - Saturday 07 January 1727
On Monday last Mr Caroon, a Biscuit Baker at Rascliff Cross, being at the Amphitheatre, near Sadler's Wells, to see a Boxxing Match, and climbing up into one of the Galleries, was kick'd by one James, a Boxer, under the Left Jaw, of which he instantly died, leacing a Wife and three Children behind him. The said James has since absconded.

Stamford Mercury - Wednesday 01 March 1721
On Monday last there was a Boxing Match at the Bear-Garden in Marybone Fields, during the Fray, a scaffold broke down, tho' not without some Contrivance, for several Gentlemen were robbed to a considerable Value, and others had their Legs and Arms broke.

Stamford Mercury - Thursday 11 May 1738
On Thursday there was a great Boxing Match at Tottenham Court Great Booth, between one Dimmock, a Carman in the Borough, and Smallwood, a Brickmaker ; when after a smart Contest of 24 Minutes duration, the latter was so sorely beaten that he was as blind as a Beetle, and forced to be carried off the Stage. Scores of Pounds were laid in Bets ; and at the Beginning of the Battle Ten Guineas to Five were offered against the Conqueror. The Brickmaker being noted for his Hardiness, and bearing sound beating, which, if he survives is sufficiently proved.

Newcastle Courant - Friday 09 February 1739
On Tuesday a great Boxing match was fought at the great Booth at Tottenham court, between the two noted Champions, Smallwood a Chairman, and Dimmock a Carman ; and the latter was by a Fall, which dislocated his Collarbone, kill'd on the Spot: They endeavour'd to bleed him, and used all proper Means, but to no Purpose.

 

Jack Slack is the main reason I write my articles. The only fight writer I consider better than myself. I just finished covering the real Jack Slack in my upcoming book, he was a brutal, swaggering monster in his prime and one of the crookedest promoters of all time in his retirement. Interesting cat.

 

1720-03-12 The Original Weekly Journal (London, England) (page 1688)
On Wednesday Night last one Thomas D----y, who kept a Boxing-School, was apprehended, in Knave's Acre, on suspicion of Robbing on the Highway, and committed to the Gate house, by Justice Santlow.

 

1729-02-19 The Daily Post (London, England) (page 1)
At Mr. FIGG's Great-Room,
At his House, the Sign of the City of Oxford, in Oxford Road, Marybone-Fields, on Tuesday the 25th of February,
WILL be an extraordinary Boxing Match between Mr. Thomas Allen, (commonly known by the name of Pipes,) and the famous Mr. John Gretton, for the whole House and a Hundred Pounds; Mr. Allen (pretending he had not the last Time fair Play) has demanded this second Engagement, which Mr. Gretton (willing to give the utmost Satisfaction, as well to Mr. Allen as to the worthy Spectators) has freely accepted of, and they are both resolv'd that this shall be a Decisive Battle, neither intending to give up the Victory till he shall be convinc'd of the superior Manhood of his Antagonist beyond all future Disputes, which shall be publickly acknowledg'd by the vanquish'd Champion before the honourable Assembly then present.

N. B. The Man that Shews any foul Play, shall lose both Money and the House.

The Doors will be open'd at Two, and the Champions mount the Stage between Four and Five.

There will be the usual Diversion of Cudgel-playing before the Champions mount the Stage.


1729-02-25 The Daily Post (London, England) (page 1)
We are inform'd, that Mr. Allen, well known by the Name of Pipes, was this Day to engage with Mr. Greton, at Mr. Figg's Great Room; but being now indispos'd, desires it may be deferr'd 'till this Day Fortnight, at which Time he hopes to give a general Satisfaction to the honourable Assembly then present.

 

1729-03-11 The Daily Post (London, England) (page 1)
At Mr. FIGG's Great-Room,
At his House, the Sign of the City of Oxford, in Oxford Road, Marybone-Fields, this present Tuesday being the 11th of March,

WILL be an extraordinary Boxing Match between Mr. Thomas Allen, (commonly known by the Name of Pipes,) and the famous Mr. John Gretton, for a Hundred Pounds and the whole House. This great Tryal of Manhood was to have been perform'd on Tuesday, the 25 of February last, but Mr. Allen at that Time, being indisposed, deferr'd it to the day above-mention'd, hoping he shall then be in perfect Health, that he may have an Opportunity of giving a general Satisfaction, not only to Mr. Gretton, but to the honourable Assembly then present, being resolved to exert his Manhood to the utmost, and to make this a decisive Battle.

This is the last Time of Mr. GRETTON's Fighting.

N. B. The Man that Shews any foul Play, shall lose both Money and the House.

Care will be taken that the Quality shall enter without Interruption.

The Doors will be open'd at Two, and the Champions mount the Stage between Four and Five.

There will be the usual Diversion of Cudgel-playing before the Champions mount the Stage.

 

Derby Mercury - Thursday 01 June 1738
TO BE LETT
A very good Brick House, with Outhouses, a good Stable, Garden Wall'd about, and all other Conveniences, situate upon the Nuns-green in Derbym where the late John Gretton liv'd. It is very fit for a Houser, there being a good Workshop for one of that Occupation. Enquire of William Moore, Joyner in St. Mary-Gate, in Derby aforesaid.

 

July 12, 1711 London Spectator
When I was some Years younger than I am at present I used to emply my self as a more labourious Diversion, which I learned from a Latin Treatice of Exercises, that is written with great Erudition. It is there called the [word unreadable], or the Fighting with a Man's own Shadow, and consists in the brandishing of two short Sticks griped in each Hand, and loaded with Plugs of Lead at either end. This Opens the Chest, exercises the Limbs, and gaves a Man all the pleasure of Boxing, without the Blows. I could with that several Learned Men would lay out that Time which they employ in Controversies and Disputes about nothing, in this method of fighting with their own Shadows. It might conduce very much to evaoirate the Spleen, which makes them uneasy to the Publick as well as to themselves

 

Hi Matty lll...hope all is well with you. Excellent thread...I'm enjoying it immensely!

 

If anyone is interested someone suggested this was referring to De Arte Gymnastica, they said it was republished in the 1670's, which would fit the timeline, though it was originally from the 1500's and based on ancient sources.

The latin is online, but no translations, which is a shame, though there are English translations, including one showing both the original latin, alongside a translation.