born in VA Tom Molineaux seems to have come from a family of bred boxers owned by slave master Algernon Molinueux in the early 1800's era... Tom Molinueaux was a prize and won all matches being matched against other slaves on other plantations. Boxing was thriving in the slave days as slaves fought each other regularly. A challenge from another slave Master Peyton Randolph and a win by TOM won Master Molineaux alot of money. Happy with his loot, he gave TOM five hundred dollars and set him free. it is DOCUMENTED THAT the Master was so serious about training, that if he received reports that TOM was not training hard he would be Flogged with the WHIP... TOM Molineaux heard about Professional boxing opportunities in ENGLAND. He moved around to Baltimore, Philadelphia, lived in New York City for fives years gaining popularity fighting bouts and in 1809 assumed the title of CHAMPION OF AMERICA BY late 1809 early 1810, Molineaux moved to England a FREE MAN who is documented as bragging, boasting and proclaiming himself the Champion of the United States to the chagrin, disgust and shocking amazement of Britons who could not believe that a BLACK MAN was able to make such a ruckus. Molinueaux would tell LONDON journalists of what he would do to the BRITISH Champion TOM CRIBB and was bent on becoming the WORLD CHAMPION BY beating CRIBB. Cribb demanded that Molineaux fight two opponents of his choice to see if he was worthy. Molineaux whiped out the first and second by brutal KO. Setting up a match in which MOLINeaux displayed what was described as a quickness and power that led to the worse beating of Cribbs career. In the 19th round Molinueaux and Cribb clenched... Molineaux had Cribb in a "headlock" prompting the white crowd to storm the ring and pummell Molineaux who suffered a broken finger. In the 27 round the savage beating of Cribb was still taking place. to start the 28th round Cribb could not get up off of the stool. Molinueaux jumps for joy in the center of the ring as the Champion of the world Not so easy... the corner accussed Molineaux of having something in his hands, Cribb was given more time. Molinueaux is said to have faded from then on and conceded to defeat in round 40... If I am not mistaken these guys were fighting bare fists. UNREAL MOLINUEAUX was a Black American pioneer a century before Jack Johnson.
I see this real subject matter is TOO REAL---This is the story that illustrates what boxing has always meant for many... a way out, and way to have a voice. Bragging and proclaiming to be best goes waaaaay back... I wonder what Molineaux would say in relation to Floy'd "Slave Contract" remark sonme years ago...
