English Champions: "Big Ben" Benjamin Brian

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by BitPlayerVesti, Dec 8, 2018.



  1. BitPlayerVesti

    BitPlayerVesti Boxing Drunkie Full Member

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    Benhamin Brian AKA Big Ben became Champion of England by defeating Tom Johnson in 1791.

    The Ipswich Journal – Dec 16 1786 (page 2)
    B London, Thursday, Dec. 14.
    8. The old English athletic exercise, the science of boxing, was yesterday exhibited in its highest perfection, at Dartford, in Kent, between Ben, from Kingswood, near Bristol, and Tring, whose fame has been long recognized as an adept in that art. The place chosen was upon the Brimp, where the gentlemen in the neighbourhood play their cricket matches. The ground was railed in, and at two o’clock the competitors appeared in the ring. The battle was for 20 guineas. A great number of gentlemen attended. After the first round, which was merely an introduction to a more serious affair, the combatants closed, and Tring threw the first fall. Ben was successful in the second. A dreadful combat then ensued, in which the odds varied on either side. It continued for 25 minutes; in the course of which victory alternately seemed to incline; but at last the superior strength and dexterity of Ben prevailed.


    From Boxing Reviewed 1790
    BIG BEN
    This pugilist is distinguished by the name of Big, without any particular claim to it, for he is not remarkably large, but much about the sie of Johnson. He strikes very straight with both hands, but has little art in his guard. He is wonderful game, and never permits his adversary to recover himself, but follows him with great boldness, till the decision of the round. His blows are uncommonly powerful, and without any particular direction. I am happy in the opportunity of doing justice to his private manners, for he has been unwarrantably represented as an impudent, abusive fellow; but every one who knows him will allow, that, though not qualified to shine in a drawing-room, he is a well-behaved, obliging man. He has never lost a battle.

    Bury and Norwich Post - Wednesday 19 January 1791
    BOXING.—Johnson and Big Ben.

    The battle between these two prize-fighters, upon which so much expectation has been formed, was on Monday decided in favour of Big Ben. The place was in the valley at Wrothan, Kent, where a stage of 20 feet was erected, and a surrounding scaffold for the company, but which broke down before the battle began. They set-to at half past twelve.—Johnson's second was Joe Ward, and Mendoza his bottle-holder. Big Ben's second was Will Ward, and Humphries his bottle-holder. The odds at setting-to were 7 to 4 in favour of Johnson, who had never been beaten.

    Big Ben manifested such superior strength, that after the first two rounds, Johnson fought with great caution. —He manoeuvered—run about—and practiced all those skilful shiftings which had been so successful in former battles, but Big Ben was too well instructed to tire himself out by following this train. He stood still, and stood up, while Johnson crouched almost to kneeling—He suffered Johnson to be the assailant; was not thrown from his guard by his feints, and by this means he kept his wind, when Johnson was labouring for want of breath. Ben took especial care to guard his head against what he knew to be Johnson’s favourite blows; and by this conduct the odds gradually turned 2 to 4 in his favour. After they had fought three or four and twenty minutes, the scientific observers thought they saw Johnson coming round again, and there was even betting. Johnson now directed his blows at the body, and he struck Ben several severe strokes; but Ben guarded himself very well; and Johnson dislocated one or two of the fingers of his right hand in striking against Ben’s elbow—after fighting a round with his fingers broken, and unable to close his right hand, he gave in.

    There was a second battle between the Ruffian and Johnson’s Brother, which was a severe trial of strength without skill, and terminated in favour of the latter, after a great effusion of blood on both sides.


    Stamford Mercury - Friday 21 January 1791
    BOXING

    The battle between Johnson and Big Ben, upon which so much expectation has been formed, was on Monday decided in favour of the latter. The place was in the valley of Wrotham, where a stage was erected, and a surrounding scaffold for the the company, but which broke down before the battle began.

    They set to at half past twelve. The seconds were Will Ward and Joe Ward---the bottle-holders, Humpries and Mendoza---Theodds at setting to were seven to four in favour of Johnson, who had never been beat.

    Big Ben was in high health, and manifested such superior strength, that after the first two rounds, Johnson fought with great caution. He manoeuvred.---run about---and practised all those skilful shifting which had been so successful in former battles, but Big Ben was too well instructed to tire himself out by following this train. He stood still, and stood up, while Johnson crouched almost to kneeling. He suffered Johnson to be the assailant; was not thrown from his guard by his feints, and by this means he kept his wind, when Johnson was labouring for want of breath. Ben took especial care to guard his head against what he knew to be Johnson’s favourite blows, and by this conduct the odds gradually turned to 7 to 4 in his favour.

    Big Ben’s hair was rolled up in his neck, and Johnson becoming desperate from the steadiness and strength of his adversary, seized him by the hair with his left hand, that he might strike him to more advantage. To prevent this his second cut his hair close to his head. Ben fought more in the Broughtonian style, and struck his straight forward blows with amazing power of arm, and he fought equally with both hands. After they had fought three or four and twenty minutes, the scientific observers thought they saw Johnson coming round again, and there was even betting. Johnson now directed his blows at the body, and he struck Ben several severe strokes; but Ben guarded himself very well; and Johnson dislocated one or two of the fingers of his right hand in striking against Ben’s elbow.--- After fighting a round with his fingers broke, and unable to close his right hand, he gave in.

    It was very evident that Ben was too powerful for Johnson; but at the same time it should be observed, that he was temperate and collected.


    Reading Mercury - Monday 24 January 1791
    Yesterday the long-expected battle was fought between Big Ben and Johnson, in a small field at Wrotham, in Kent. Upwards of 2000 persons were assembled on the occasion; Johnson having Joe Ward for his second, and Mendoza for his bottle-holder; and Big Ben, with Humphries for his second, and W. Ward for his bottle-holder. Colonel Tarleton and Major Hanger officiated as umpires, and Mr. H.Ashton as arbitrator. The odds at setting to were 7 to 4 in favour of Johnson, who had never been beaten. After fighting for 29 minutes, a most desperate blow, which Johnson received on his right ear, brought him to the ground; and at the next round, which made the 24th, he gave in. a more severe battle was certainly never fought, for it was not till the last extremity that Johnson would resign that title of Champion of England. He had one finger broken, both eyes closed, and his lips almost cut to pieces; and he was obliged to be carried off the stage, by four people, undressed as he fought. Big Ben was much bruised about his head, and had one eye closed; he dressed himself on the stage and walked away. Johnson was knocked down 17 times, fell once by accident, and several times dropped on one knee. Ben never fell but when he was knocked down, and stood up to his antagonist with great courage, skill, and activity. In the course of fighting, Johnson caught hold of Ben’s hair with his left hand, and gave him some desperate blows with his right. To prevent this a second time Humphreys cut off Ben’s hair close to his head. In every struggle it was evident Ben was the stronger man; his arms were longer, and more powerful; Johnson shifted much; Big Ben never.—The door-money, collected at 10s. 6d. each person, is computed to amount to 160l.

    There was a second battle between the Ruffian and Johnson’s brother, which was a severe trial of strength without skill. They were both dreadfully beaten, but the Ruffian had his jugular vein opened, and bled so copiously from the neck, that they were obliged to take him from the stage to save his life.

    After the engagement between Johnson and Big Ben, Humphreys challenged Mendoza to fight him in six months for any sum. Mendoza mentioned five hundred pounds, and stated that he was willing to fight in one month or two. This was, however, declined by Humphreys, who said the sprain in his knee was the reason of his not agreeing to that proposal, and accordingly mentioned aloud, that he and his old friend were to meet again in six months. Mendoza then repeated the agreement, and said, that “he would not wish for any thing better.”

    Northampton Mercury - Saturday 12 April 1794
    On Tuesday died Benjamin Brian, commonly called Big Ben. The last set-to of this celebrated pugilist was with Death, who, notwithstanding Ben’s courage and capacity, put in one fatal blow, which, knocked him off the stage of life, the Victor Bade his sould—“Good morrow!”—Sic transit Gloria Busserorum et Black-guuardorum

     
    Last edited: Feb 3, 2020
  2. BitPlayerVesti

    BitPlayerVesti Boxing Drunkie Full Member

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    Last edited: Dec 8, 2018
  3. BitPlayerVesti

    BitPlayerVesti Boxing Drunkie Full Member

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    Found a new fight when looking for stuff on Harry Sellers.
     
  4. Unforgiven

    Unforgiven VIP Member banned Full Member

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    I have an old RING RECORD BOOK that lists Brain as 6'4 and 230 pounds but Pierce Egan wrote that he was not a great deal bigger than Johnson, although it seems clear he was noticeably bigger/stronger.
    cyber boxing has Brain at "196 to 203 pounds", and 5'10, which seems about right.
     
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  5. BitPlayerVesti

    BitPlayerVesti Boxing Drunkie Full Member

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    I think he seems to be a bit taller, but not much heavier, though he does seem to have been stronger when they fought.
     
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  6. Unforgiven

    Unforgiven VIP Member banned Full Member

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    Is it "Brain" or "Brian" ?
     
  7. escudo

    escudo Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Take your pick. Different papers called him different things. Basically before 1800 or so names are a shitshow in British papers.
     
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  8. Seamus

    Seamus Proud Kulak Full Member

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    Thanks for asking. I have always wondered about this.
     
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  9. Unforgiven

    Unforgiven VIP Member banned Full Member

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    I think Birth records and the name on his grave stone would give some sort of answer (or answers!).
     
  10. Unforgiven

    Unforgiven VIP Member banned Full Member

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    Apparently he's buried at St Sepulchre without Newgate Churchyard, not at all far from where I live.
     
  11. BitPlayerVesti

    BitPlayerVesti Boxing Drunkie Full Member

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    You see him called Bryan as well
     
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