George Meggs is considered to have been Champion of England from 1761 when he beat William Stevens until 1762 when he lost the title to George Millsom Stevens later said he threw the fight against Meggs, and Meggs is said to have never considered a top boxer in the tradional lineage. From Boxiana In less than twelve months, after his name [William Stevens] had become almost a terror to Pugilists, by his beating the Champion, he entered the lists with George Meggs, a Bristol collier, for 200 guineas, at the Tennis-court, James street. Stevens scarcely knew how to make a fight of it— and let Meggs drive him about as he pleased ; and after seventeen minutes in humbugging the spectators — Stevens gave in. The sporting men were properly swindled upon this occasion; and the Nailer had the impudence to acknowledge soon after, that he was tipped handsomely to lose the battle, and that he had gained more by so doing— exclaiming, at the same time, " that he was as good a man as ever !" The Nailers and Blacksmiths of the Metropolis were finely spoke to by the loss of this battle, as they had' backed the man of iron, from his former stanch character, for considerable sums. It is said, that a celebrated engraving, now extant, of a blacksmith's shop where the Nailer had worked, the men of which had sported their little cash upon his head, was taken from their hearing he had lost the battle ! " I saw s smith Stand with his hammer, thus, The whilst his iron did on the anvil cool, With open mouth, swallowing a tailor's news ; Who, with his sheers and measure in his hand, Standing on slippers, which his nimble haste Had falsely thrust upon contrary feet." The fights of the Nailer, after the above circumstance, cannot prove interesting, as he had grossly forfeited all pretensions to honour. . . From Boxiana GEORGE MEGGS, Of no particular note as a Pugilist, except beating the Nailer. He received instruction from Slack, and fought with Milsom, the baker, at Calne, in Wiltshire, for forty minutes, which was well contested, but Milsom was declared the conqueror. Meggs was not satisfied, and demanded another trial, when Milsom beat him easy the second time. Parsitt Meggs, brother to the above Pugilist, also tried it on with Milsom, but, in the event, got a severe beating. From Pugilistica Slack now quitted the pugilistic profession, and returned to his old trade, opening a butcher's shop in Chandos Street, Covent Garden. Here he carried on a good business, but still mixed himself in fistic matters. He backed and trained George Meggs, of whom more anon, to fight Bill Stevens, his conqueror, for the championship and 200 guineas. The fight came off on the 2nd of March, 1761, at the Tennis Court, St. James' Street. The reporter says, "At the first onset Stevens missed his blow, and Meggs struck him that instant on the side of the head and knocked him down. This error seems to have lost him the battle. After this the battle lasted seventeen minutes, with scarcely a blow struck, when Stevens gave in." We regret to say that this disgraceful affair was clearly traced to Slack, who gave Stevens 50 guineas and his stake. " Pancratia" says: "An old supporter of Stevens, meeting him one day, expressed his surprise at this defeat, when Bill drily answered him, ' Why, Lord bless you, the day I fought Jack Slack I got 90 guineas ; but I got 50 guineas more than I should otherwise have done by letting Georgy beat me ; and, damme, ain't I the same man still?" The Nailer and Slack both fell into disrepute; but the latter stuck to hia business, and appears to have prospered until his death in 1778.
Bath Chronicle and Weekly Gazette - Thursday 26 February 1761 We hear that the Battle between Maggs and the Nailer, intended to have been fought in London on Monday last, is deffered 'till next Monday, at the declare of several Noblemen. Derby Mercury - March 6th February 1761 London March 2nd This Day at Noon, the Match between Maggs and the Nailor was fought at the Tennis Court in James Street, near the Hay Market. The Odds at first were greatly for the Nailor, but it was decided in favour of the former, who obtained the Victory over his Antagonist Public Ledger - March 3, 1761 Yesterday the great boxing match, which has beemn so long in agitation, and upon which so many considerable sums were depending, between Meggs, a collier, from Bristol, and the famour Nailor, sho some time since beat Slack, was decided at the Tennis-court, in James-street, in the Hey-Market; Smallwood was second to Meggs, and Faulkner to the Nailor; the knowing ones were very much take in; for before they set to, the betts were three to one in favour of the Nailot, and two to one was laid the battle did not last five minutes. At the first onset, the Nailor missing his blow, Meggs hit him on the side of his head and knocked him down, after which nothing material happened but hugging and dodgin, with which they prolonged the battle about seventeen minutes, when the Nailor gave out; the prices of the feats were half guineas ad crowns, and 'tis thought that twice the number of people were turned away for want of room, than those who saw the battle. Bath Chronicle and Weekly Gazette - Thursday 05 March 1761 Monday last the Trial of Skill between George Maggs, of Pensford in this County, and Stephens the Nailer, was decided at the Tennis-Court in St. James-Street, near the Hay-Market, London. There were assembled the greatest Concourse of Nobility, Gentry, &c/ ever known on the like Occation. The Champions mounted the Stage between Twelve and One. At first setting to, Maggs struck the Nailer down; afterwards the Nailer knocked him down twice; and for ten Minutes he seemed to have the Advantage: However, the heroic Maggs, by his great Skill, uncommon Strength, unequal'd Courage, and matchless Agility, soon changed the Scene; struck the Nailer down six Times successively; and finally stript him of all Laurels he had acquired by his many former Victories.--- Smallwood was Second to Maggs, and Faulkner to Stephens.--- According to the most exact Accounts, the Battle lasted just seventeen Minutes and a half. A certain Royal Personage was present, and won large Sums. 'Tis said upward of 50,000l. depended on the Issue of this Battle: One Nobleman lost above 2000l. We hear that Maggs and the Nailer were weighed a few Days before they fought; and that there were only five Pounds Difference, which was in Maggs favour. Oxford Journal - Saturday 07 March 1761 Monday the tryal of Skill between the Nailor (who so easily beat Slack some Time since) and Maggs from Bristol, was dtermined at the Tennis-Court in James-street, by the Hay-market, before several People of Distinction, and a great Number of Spectators ; when Maggs in about eight-teen Minutes and a half, tore the Laurels from the Brow of the most powerful Nailor, and gained to himself, the Honour of being the Champion amoungst the Broughtonians. 'Tis said several Knowing Ones were out of the Secret Oxford Journal - Saturday 14 March 1761 On Saturday last Maggs, the Conqueror at the last bruising Match, set out on his Return Home with his ill earned Laurels, and a considerabl Sum of Money that he had gained from foolish Encouragers of Riot and Mischief.
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. Oxford Journal - Saturday 31 January 1767 A ltter from Bristol say that George Meggs, the famous Hero of Pensford, in Somersetshire, wbo beat William Stevens, the Noted Nailer, at the Tennis Court, on which there were so many Thousand Pounds depending, is now matched to fight with Richard Hunt, a Kingswood Collier, whom he hath once beat before ; but as it was a very long Battle between them at that Time, and not altogether fairly decided at last, Hunt is the present Challenger. They are to fight on a raised Stage on Clarken Down, near Bath, for One Hundred Guineu a Side of their own Money. There will be a great deal won and lost at this Battle, is the Champions are suffered to decide it Bath Chronicle and Weekly Gazette - Thursday 06 October 1768 Monday last the bruising match, which has been long in agitation between the notes Maggs of Pensford, and one Ellis, of Glastonbury, was decided with the space of five minutes in favour of Maggs.- Many considerable betts were depending on the issue of this battle. Bath Chronicle and Weekly Gazette - Thursday 22 June 1769 On Monday the great bruising-match between Stevens, the Nailer, and George Milsom, a collier of Kingswood, was fought at the Riding-school in Bristol. the battle lasted about seven minutes, when victory declared for the latter. - It is thought there were present near 400 persons, and the box collection was very considerable, as great numbers paid 2s. 6d. for their admission. The betts were in favour of the Nailor till a few hours before the combat, when six to four were laid on Milsom's side, who was the favourite of the knowing-ones.- The noted Darch, who lately beat Parsitt Maggs, was second to Milsom ; and George Maggs, the present hero of England, was second to the Nailer. - Immediately after the battle, Darch challenged George Maggs to fight him for 100 guineas and the door collection ; but it is said that Maggs made no reply Bath Chronicle and Weekly Gazette - Thursday 24 May 1770 On Monday last the much talked-of buising-match between George Maggs, of Pensford, and George Milsom, of Kingswood, was decided on Leigh down near Bristol, within four minutes, in favour of the latter.- Very large sums were depending on the issue of this battle, and many of Magg's friends were so sanguine in his behalf, that bets of two to one against Milsom were laid to a considerable amount. Public Advertiser - July 22, 1772 We hear from Cirencester, that the famous Maggs was beat by his Antagonist Stanley, after a Contest of Half an Hour Derby Mercury - Friday 21 June 1776 About six Weeks ago a Bet was made for a Battle for 50 Guineas a Side, between Cochran, the noted Irish Bruiser, and Seller, a Sawyer, from the West of England. The Combatants tossed up which should chuse the Place of fighting, and Seller winning, chose Staines in Middlesex, where he had a Number of Acquaintance. Leonard was chosen as Second to Cochran, and the famous Maggs was sent for from Bristol to second Celler. Monday being the Day fixed for the Battle, a stage was erected at the White Lion Inn, and Thousands of People assembled in Coaches, Landaus, Post and single Horse Chaises, and on Foot; and Road from Hounslow to Staines being a perfect Fair. The Combatants mounted the Stage at Two of the Clock, and it being agreed that the Conqueror should have the Door Money, it was deposited in the Hands of a Gentleman, amounting to about 60l. Just as the Antagonists had shaken Hands, and were putting themselves in a Posture of Defence, a Barn, on which were above a Hundred People, fell at once to the Ground, but not one Person was materially hurt. The Battle now commenced; and after a sever Contest of twenty Minutes, Victory declared in Favour of Seller, who by one Blow cut Cochran's Cheek bare to the Bone from the Top of the Jaw to the Neck. Immense Sums were lost by the Friends of Cochran, who was never beaten before; whereas Seller had never before mounted a public Stage. One Gentleman lost 1,800l. and Seller cleared about 110l by the Victory. The News was brought to Whitechapel by Pigeons in forty Minutes after the Battle ended. Monthly Mirror May 1, 1803 Bath, April 29.—On Monday died in this city, George Ring, formerly a baker, and celebrated as one of the first pugilists in the kingdom. He was rather under the middle size, but the quickness of his eye, and the muscular power of his arm, and his general activity, brought him always off victorious, though opposed to men of far superior size and strength. To, his method of fighting, Ward, Mendoza, Humphries, and other noted heroes of the fist, it is said, owed their celebrity; for he introduced what is termed the present scientific mode of combat. But the glory of George Ring was of short duration: hard blows, frequently experienced, and a life of continued dissipation, brought premature old age, poverty, and neglect; at a period when he ought to have been in the bloom of health and vigour, every “puny whipster” could “knock him about the scone, and he durst not tell him of his action of battery.” As a contrast to the above character, we cannot avoid noticing that the celebrated George Maggs, whose fame rang through this country nearly fifty years ago as the champion of England, when he beat the noted Stephens, the nailor, in London, is now living in this city, a hale, hearty, respectable old man; a handsome and venerable pile of stately ruins.
Despite being described as "Of no particular note as a Pugilist", Meggs is actually quite interesting. The reference to him as "Champion amoungst the Broughtonians", is a rare piece of evidence supporting the tradional lineage of English Champions, in this time period. The later reference to him as "the present hero of England" in 1769 is rather odd, the standard lineage has the Championship having at this point passed from Meggs, to Millsom, to Juchau, and to Darts from 1766 until losing to Lyons shortly after this particular article. It is possible that the Championship changed hands far more in this period and Meggs regained it. Of course it is also possible that it meant something else with "the present hero of England", or made a simple error, which given the Newspapers often fail to get the names of the fighter correct, certainly cannot be ruled out. I also find it odd how Boxiana describes "From the year 1761 to 1783, a period of twenty-two years, the CHAMPIONSHIP was in a very unsettled state, and knocked about quickly from one nob to another", however when you look at the reigns listed, they are actually fairly lengthy. Meggs held it for over a year, Millsom then held it for over three years, before Juchau won it and held it for nearly another year, before Darts then reigned for over another three years. Lyons then had a brief reign before Corcoran held the title for five years, before Sellers held it for nearly another three years. At this stage I have far more questions than answers, and while I am happy to speculate, I do not think there is enough information to draw many conclusions about the lineage around this time. Heavyweight Champions from Ancient to Present
Thanks, though honestly I think that says more about the lack of research than anything else. I haven't done anything I don't think anyone else could do, and I've been doing it pretty casually. Pretty amazimg considering there's lengthy information of tons Star Wars characters from obscure comics, but only the odd mention of some of these guys.
