English Champions: Jack Broughton "The Father of Boxing"

The Julian Callender (in England) changed year on March 25th.

So March 13th 1743 converts to March 24th 1744, which would be a Tuesday. However if you changed year on Janurary the first, like we do now, but otherwise used the same dates, it'd convert to Sunday.

It's a little odd that the error would happen to fit.

 

From Boxing Reviewed by
by Thomas Fewtrel, 1790
Broughton
Stands the first of former pugilists. His height did not exceed five feet eleven inches, and his weight was sometimes above, sometimes under fourteen stone. He was remarkably well formed, but more calculated for strength than action, he had a good eye, and his arm was not, as has been ridiculously reported, longer than the symmetry of his body demanded. The history of almost every pugilist sufficiently proves, that the mind, whatever opinion may be hazarded to the contrary, is very much interested in all contests of this nature. It is the origin of motion, and the body is its slave. Broughton was superior to all others in mental powers ; his sagacity in discovering the weakness of an adversary, and ability in covering himself from the most dangerous blows, enabled him to overcome many, to whom he was inferior in bodily force. His favorite blows were straight, and one directly planted in the mark or pit of the stomach generally proved decisive. Few battle are now decided in this manner, as from the guard, and the forward bent of the body this dangerous place is nearly secure. He used round blow, particularly when he wished to strike his antagonist under the left ear. His attitude was somewhat like that of Ryan, in his first battle with Johnson; though the arms were not so much extended, they were, however, more so than those of his cotemporaries. When a blow was directed at his body, he beat it down, when his head was aimed at, he caught his opponent's fist in his open hand. The cross-buttock wasknown long before his days; but he was considerably improved and brought it into notice. Whatever state the science was in at that period, Broughton, it must be admitted, exceeded all other fighters in a knowledge of the principles, for his great talents soon led him to discover much of the theory, that was before unknown. Many were his superiors in strength and activty, non went beyond him in science and courage. He is deservedly placed at the head of the Boxers of his own time, and his amiableness of manners went hand in hand with his public estimation.

 

Thanks for posting, other than the comment about one eye and Slack, it seems based on Godfrey's writing's on Taylor. I think most of the stuff on the early period in the old books I've see seems mostly just based off Godfrey's writings.

From A Treatise Upon the Useful Science of Defence By Capt. John Godfrey 1747
GEORGE TAYLOR, known by the Name of GEORGE the BARBER, sprang up surprisingly. He has beat all the chief Boxers, but Boughton. He I think, injudiciously fought him one of the first, and was obliged very soon to give out. Doubtless it was a wrong Step in him to commence a Boxer, by fighting the standing Champion : For GEORGE was not then twenty, and BROUGH TON was in the Zenith of his Age and Art. Since that he has greatly distinguished himself with others; but has never engaged BROUGHTON more. He is a strong able Boxer, who with a Skill extraordinary, aided by his Knowledge of the Small and Back-Sword, and a remarkable Judgement in the Cross-Buttock-Fall, may contest with any. But, please or displease, I am resolved to be ingenuous in my Characters. Therefore I am of the Opinion, that he is not over-stocked with that necessary Ingredient of a Boxer, called a Bottom ; and am apt to suspect:, that Blows of equal Strength with his, too much affect him and disconcert his Conduct.

Before I leave him, let me do him this Justice to say, that if he were unquestionable in his Bottom, he would be a Match for any Man.

 

Thanks, I'll check it out.

I wasn't meaning to disparage it, I'm sure concepts of plagerism have changed a lot, I don't know the standards of the day, and it's not right to judge it by our standards. I was just saying that part seems largely copied from Godfrey (which can also be found online for free BTW). It also doesn't invalidate any of it either.

I'll have to look into Taylor beating Broughton.

 

Sorry. I'm just being an idiot today. I meant looking into Taylor beating Broughton. I find it odd that Taylor is listed as a Champion before Broughton, while Godfrey describes a young Taylor fighting Broughton as the Standing Champion. I wonder when Taylor beat Broughton, Godfrey wrote the treatise in 1747, so it must have been after that. I wonder if it was after Slack beat Broughton then.

The short bit on Figg is decent too. I'm just reading through it ATM.

 

This seems to say Broughton was champion by 1730, having won it from Gretton. Interesting.
Daily Journal October 19, 1730
At Mr. Stoke’s Amphitheatre, In Islington Road, this present Monday, being the 19th Instant,

Will be the compleatest Trial of Manhood that has been for some Years past, between the two famous Champoins, John Broughton, who won the Coat and Crest of Liberty the 1st of August last, and Tho. Allen, Pipe-Maker, for several considerable Sums of Money. They fight wet or dry, and he that is not ready to mount the Stage with his Second, at 4 o’cClock, forfeits 10l. so those that intend to have good Places, are desired not to delay their coming. There need to Encomium to recommend those Champion to the Publick, they having an establish’d Character; Pipes, by beating Burch of Harrow on the Hill, and the Lincolnshire Drover, who beat the Italian Boxer. Broughton, by beating Gretton, who has for several Years reign’d Champion.

Attendance will be given at 12 o’Clock, with suitable Accommodation for the Reception of the Quality and others.

 

No.
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