Continuing from William Stevens "The Nailer" Part I Bath Chronicle and Weekly Gazette - Thursday 12 March 1761 There are three Brothers of the Name of Maggs, all noted Boxers, who have Challenged any three Men in England to fights what is called a Welch Main, for any Sum.--- The Bristol People, it is supposed, have carried away above 10,000l. won at the late Battle in the Hay Market ; and are so elate with their Success, that they offer to back their Champion for 1000 Guineas, against anyone Man in the World. Gazetter. George Meggs is normally dismissed if given any attention at all. Seem as an unskilled bum who was given the title in a fixed fight. Boxiana sums him up as "Of no particular note as a Pugilist". Whether or not his win over the Nailor was indeed a fix, he appears to have been better than he is dismissed as. Especially given that it seems there was significant interest in him fighting Stevens. Another interesting thing is the spelling variations of his last name, with both Maggs and Meggs being used, so I believe it was pronounced more like Mæggs, but this really isn't something I know a whole lot on. Sadly there is scant information on what happened next with George Meggs, as far as I am aware this information comes from Pancratia in 1812. From Pancratia In July, 1766, (apparently should be 1762) George Meggs fought a pitch battle for a considerable sum with one Millsom, a baker, of Bath, at Calne, in Wiltshire; the contest laster 40 minutes, when Millsom was acknowledged the conqueror. In the August following, Meggs having challenged Millsom to another combat, was again severely beat. The same Millsom also vanquished Parsit Meggs, George's brother, a celebrated West-country bruiser. The only corrobarating evidence for these contests I have so far found is this: Oxford Journal - Saturday 01 January 1763 On Monday next a Battle is to be fought at the Tennis-Court at Barton Hundred, near Bristol, by Maggs and Milsom. Many Bets are depending, the Courage and Strength of the Champions being well known to the Gentlemen of the Fist, &c. Bath Chronicle and Weekly Gazette - Thursday 06 January 1763 Last Monday the boxing Match between Parss Maggs and George Milsom, was fought at the Tennis-Court near Bristol, when, according to the Bruisers Language, Milsom in a few Minutes beat his Antagonist hollow. There were several bye Battles. —We hear, Milsom was so elated with his easy Victory, that he has sent a Challenge to George Maggs, who lately beater the Nailor, to fight for 100 Guineas While I would rather have more to go on, I am inclined to believe these contests took place if a year after normally stated, and so it appears that the championship passed from Meggs to George Millsom. 1762 also saw William Stevens, The Nailor, return to the ring Derby Mercury - Friday 01 January 1762 Yesterday a Bruising Match was fought near Strutton-Grounds, Westminisrerm between Stevens, a Nailer, and his Brother, against one Carrits and his Brother, when the Nailer beat his Antagonist, but the Brother of the Nailer was beaten. It was a very hard Battle on both Sides; and Smallwood and the Nailer's Second having differ'd, the two Seconds fought, and Smallwood was beat in two Minutes As stated in the prologue, this time seems to have seen legal interferance with boxing, which may be part of why information is so hard to come by. Bath Chronicle and Weekly Gazette - Thursday 10 June 1762 The Battle which was to have been fought Yesterday between the noted Stephens The Nail, and Turner the Coach-Spring Maker, at the Repository on Saffron-Hill, for 100l. each was put a Stop by the Activity of Mr Justice Welch, being contrary to a late Act which suppressed these Meetings, as only Nurserier for Thieves, &c. The Odds were greatly in Favour of the Coach Spring Maker against the Nailer As previously stated, it is unclear at this time the extent to which they had champions as in this modern sense, this advert for another fight of the Nailor makes it appear that if the status of champion existed, it wasn't held in especially high regard. Though it also would not be the only time in history where other boxers were better regarded than the champion. London Lloyd Evening Post April 25, 1763 The great boxing match, which has been some time depending between the famous Will Stephens the Nailor, and the Coach Sping-Maker, for a considerable sum of money, is to be determined at the next New-market meeting in May. Great bets are depending upon this battle, they being reckoned the best boxers in the kingdom. This continues with George Millsom "The Baker" and Tom Juchua AKA Disher
