James Figg - The First Bare-Knuckle Boxing Champion

djanders · Jan 27, 2010

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James Figg was born in Thame Village, Oxfordshire in 1695 and went onto become the first recognised champion of boxing. Figg was six feet tall, weighed 185 pounds and was well versed in both armed and unarmed combat. History tells us that it was the Earl of Peterborough who first spotted Figg's potential after witnessing him giving a demonstration of boxing, fencing and the use of the quarter-staff on the village green. The Earl took Figg down to London where he would fight all comers, teach his fighting methods and give demonstrations of his skills. Figg became a popular figure and many people wished to learn from him and watch him fight. In 1719, Figg opened a boxing academy, which held over 1000 people, where he and his students would teach and demonstrate their skills. Figg's business card for his academy declared him to be, "Master of the noble science of defence." Figg never lost a fight and was considered to be the champion of Great Britain until he retired in 1730.

As Figg's reputation grew, more and more "gentleman amateurs" took up boxing as a pastime and sought out Figg's tuition. One of Figg's students was a 'Captain Godfrey' who wrote, "I have purchased my knowledge with many a broken head, and bruises in every part of me." This statement emphasises the realistic, and sometimes harsh, nature of Figg's tuition. Figg also drew upon his extensive knowledge of fencing to enhance the empty-handed fighting skills of his students. The parries & ripostes of fencing had a large influence upon what became parries & counter-punches of modern boxing.

The boxing that Figg taught and practised was markedly different from the boxing of today. Although hitting with fists was emphasised, a boxer could grapple and throw his opponent (the cross-buttock throw being the favourite) and then either hit him when he was down, or continue to grapple whilst on the ground. Indeed, it was not until 1743 - 13 years after Figg's retirement - that kicking an opponent whilst he was down ("purring" as it was called at the time) and gouging were banned from the 'sport'. Whilst the original art of boxing was a complete system that covered all ranges, the skills of kicking, grappling and ground work are completely omitted from the arts modern offspring. And this situation is by no means unique to boxing. As examples, Judo and Aikido tend not to include the striking skills that were once a fundamental part of the art. And the vast majority of karateka no longer include the grappling and groundwork associated with the karate katas in their training (read my book, "Karate's Grappling Methods" for further details). This "specialisation" does have an upside however, as it has resulted in these specific skills being taken to extremely high levels. There can be little doubt that when it comes to punching, modern boxing is head and shoulders above all other arts.

As an example of how complete boxing was, I shall tell the tale of one of Figg's most famous fights. On the 6th of June 1727, James Figg fought Ned Sutton - a pipe maker from Gravesend. The bout generated huge interest and amongst the audience were many important names of the time, including Sir Robert Walpole - the Prime Minister.

The first match was to be with swords! Which goes to illustrate that the use of weapons were also part of a boxer's training - Much the same as weapons were also a part of the training of the majority of eastern martial arts. The first thirty minutes of the bout were fairly uneventful until Sutton went on the attack, which resulted in Figg cutting his arm on his own sword. Under the rules this did not count, and hence the bout continued. It was in the sixth round that Figg cut Sutton's shoulder, which resulted in Figg being granted the first victory.

After a thirty-minute interval, the "Fist-Fighting" began. After eight minutes Sutton executed a throw which resulted in Figg being dumped at the umpire's feet. Figg immediately regained his feet and went onto to throw Sutton such that he required time to recover as the result of the bad and heavy landing. When the bout continued, Sutton landed a blow that was so powerful that Figg was knocked clean off the stage (ropes were not used at the time) and into the audience. Figg recovered and went onto punch Sutton to the floor, where he then grappled Sutton into submission.

The final bout was with Cudgels, during which Figg broke Sutton's knee and hence secured a three-nil victory. The description of Figg vs. Sutton bout shows how grappling, groundwork and weapons skills were as much a part of boxing as the punching for which the art is so revered today. This tale also helps to show just how skilful and knowledgeable a martial artist Figg was. How many of today's martial artists would have the skills and the courage to fight in no-holds-barred contests where the contests fought with bare knuckles, and live swords & cudgels! When you consider that Figg was also never beaten, I think it becomes clear just how talented a martial artist he was.

Not only was Figg a great fighter himself, but he was also great teacher. When Figg retired in 1730, the title of Champion was claimed by one of Figg's pupils - Jack Broughton, who was to retain the title of champion for 20 years! In 1741, Broughton fought George Stevenson. The fight lasted just under 40 minutes and was considered "brutal" even for the day. Both men took severe punishment until Broughton landed a solid blow just below Stevenson's heart. Stevenson dropped to the floor and did not get up. Broughton was heard to say, "What have I done? I've killed him!" Stevenson eventually recovered enough to pay his respects to Broughton before once again losing consciousness. Stevenson never recovered and died from his injuries a month later. During that month the two pugilists had become good friends and the death of Stevenson greatly upset Broughton. So much so that Broughton went on to devise the first set of rules in an attempt to make boxing matches safer. Amongst these rules was the declaration that at the beginning of each round a man would be given 30 seconds to make his way to a line at the centre of the ring, if they failed then they forfeited the bout. This line was referred to as the "scratch," and the term "not up to scratch" has now found its way into everyday usage. Broughton is also accredited with inventing the first ever pair of boxing gloves, or "mufflers" as they were called. However these "mufflers" were only used in training and were not worn in bouts proper.

After his retirement James Figg continued to teach his "noble art," but he did not have long left to live. James Figg died, aged 40, on the 8th of December 1734, leaving behind a wife and several children.
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Source: http://www.practical-martial-arts.co.uk/practical_karate/iain_abernethy/ia_james_figg.html

Sayers · Jan 27, 2010

Great post and a great read, thanks a lot for posting.

And a interesting bit of trivia, I never knew the origin of the 'not up to scratch' phrase was boxing related.

:good

TBooze · Jan 28, 2010

Sayers said: ↑

Great post and a great read, thanks a lot for posting.

And a interesting bit of trivia, I never knew the origin of the 'not up to scratch' phrase was boxing related.

:good
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As is toeing the line (of scratch). Loads of modern terms come from boxing.

A couple more examples:

The fan: Is not short for fanatic, but Fancy, as the Fancy were a fighters sponsors, who funded and watched the fights.

Stakes: The pieces of wood placed in the ground to mark out the ring, also had 'purses' on them which had the money bet on the fight in them.

Pachilles · Jan 28, 2010

Very interesting stuff, but now we're going to see All time P4P lists in the classic forum with James Figg at #1, Ned Sutton and Sam Langford vying for #2 and #3, and Jack Broughton at #4, nudging Jim Jefferies to #5 spot. This now knocks Roberto Duran and Jack Dempsey out of the top 5 which were thought to be infallibly placed, however these five fighters fought before the 20th century, which is evidence that proves god wrong, thus negating all existence.

I am the Metatron, Herald of the Almighty and voice of the one true God of Boxing. You have been warned, do not let this happen.

Pete47 · Jan 28, 2010

@djanders
Purring was not only kicking an opponent whilst he was down. There also was a fighting sport called Purring (shin kicking). Just look here: http://ejmas.com/jmanly/jmanlyframe.htm
Your article about James Figg is very interesting.

cross_trainer · Jan 28, 2010

Pachilles said: ↑

Very interesting stuff, but now we're going to see All time P4P lists in the classic forum with James Figg at #1, Ned Sutton and Sam Langford vying for #2 and #3, and Jack Broughton at #4, nudging Jim Jefferies to #5 spot. This now knocks Roberto Duran and Jack Dempsey out of the top 5 which were thought to be infallibly placed, however these five fighters fought before the 20th century, which is evidence that proves god wrong, thus negating all existence.

I am the Metatron, Herald of the Almighty and voice of the one true God of Boxing. You have been warned, do not let this happen.
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Since your post is older than mine, it is obviously correct. Therefore, I agree.

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James Figg - The First Bare-Knuckle Boxing Champion

djanders Boxing Addict Full Member

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TBooze Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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cross_trainer Liston was good, but no "Tire Iron" Jones Full Member

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James Figg - The First Bare-Knuckle Boxing Champion

djanders Boxing Addict Full Member

Sayers Member Full Member

TBooze Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

Pachilles Boxing Addict Full Member

Pete47 Member Full Member

cross_trainer Liston was good, but no "Tire Iron" Jones Full Member