I've been researching australian bareknuckle boxing. it's fascinating. does anyone know where to find the portraits of the major stars like haddy gaddy, hough, bailey, chalker or kable? thanks!!
Tough ask!! The only place they would be recorded would be in the State Libraries of Sydney and Melbourne. They are incredibly helpful with requests. Have yougot any details on the first ever Australian boxing team headed by Bareknuckle giant Bill Sparkes who took a team of 11 "milling coves" to San Francisco's notorious Barbary Coast in 1847?
This content is protected ...cup awarded to William 'Bill' Sparkes. The inscription is interesting reading 'Presented to W. Spakes by the gentlemen of Richmond for his manly conduct.....' http://www.nma.gov.au/collections-search/display?irn=127806
Perhaps more impressive is the fact Sparkes recieved this silver cup following his all out war with Nat Langham.. May 1847. Langham was M/W champ of England, and Sparkes had taken time out to visit the 'mother land' for the sake of testing himself. The actual fight was a tough encounter, leaving the local sportwriters with nothing but praise for Sparke's courage. I have the original report in one of the old mags and will print it out shortly. Langham was to meet an up-and-comer by the name of Tom Sayers 6 years later... and defeat Sayers.
