James Figg The First Champion

Paul Whitehead's 1744 The Gymnasiad has a poem depicting Stevenson's death but it appears to be based on romantic whim, not reality.

The popularity of sword-fighting explains Mendoza's emphasis to show the merits of boxing via fencing comparisons which he does a few times in The Art of Boxing (1789).

There are contemporary opinions that Broughton was a much more refined character than Figg which helped boxing become more accepted.

 

Here's the report of Slack-Stevens bout, held on June 2, 1760:

1760-06-07 Read's Weekly Journal Or British-Gazetteer (page 3)
Monday the famous battle was fought between Slack and Stephens, the nailer; at the Tennis-court in James street, haymarket, the combatants had only three bouts; in the first Slack struck his antagonist a violent blow on the side of his head; at the second, Stephens hit Slack under the short ribs, and gave him a desperate fall; and finally pursuing his advantage gave him so dreadful a blow on his stomach, that he lay for some time senseless on the stage, and was obliged, after about three minutes and a half contest, to submit to the superior strength of his adversary, who is reckoned to be one of the best bruisers in England. The knowing ones were let in for very considerable sums. There was a great appearance of persons of distinction. His Grace of ------ it is said laid 4000 l. to one; and the ------ it is thought won not less than 20,000 l. Vulcan by hitting the right nail on the head resolves to make no more; as a nobleman besides a present of 100 guineas, has promised to make a handsome provision for him. If chins had been sold by the inch, the butchers in a certain market, might have sold great pennyworths, for they were seen to lengthen prodigiously after the heroe's fall; who has now a right to make use of the exclamation, How are the mighty fallen!

It is remarkable, that as soon as the battle was over, two to one was offered in favour of Slack, if they fought a second battle. Rifum teneatis Amici.

 

And here's how Stevens lost his title on March 2, 1761:

1761-03-09 The Suss-ex Weekly Advertiser, or Lewes Journal (page 1)
LONDON, March 3.
Yesterday the great Boxing Match, which has been so long in agitation, and upon which so many considerable Sums were depending, between Meggs, a Collier from Bristol, and the famous Nailor, who some time since beat Slack, was decided at the Tennis-Court, in James Street in the day market; Smallwood was Second to Meggs, and Faulkner to the Nailor. The knowing ones were very much taken in; for before they set to the betts were three to one in favour of the Nailor, and two to one the battle did not last 5 minutes. At the first onset the Nailor missing his blow, Meggs hit him on the side of his head and knock'd him down, after which nothing material happen'd but hugging and dodging, with which they prolonged the battle about 17 minutes, when the Nailor gave out. The prices of the seats were half guineas and crowns, and 'tis thought that twice the number of people went away for want of room than those that saw the battle.
There were several bye battles, particularly one between the Brick Maker and the Danny Lad, who fought some time since, which was pretty smart, till by an unlucky fall the former broke his Leg.



1761-03-07 The Bath Chronicle and Weekly Gazette (page 4)
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 Occasion. 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 the 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 upwards 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's Favour.

 

Here's another bout of Stevens, the whole thing sounds funny:

1761-12-29 The Whitehall Evening-Post or, London Intelligencer (page 6)
Yesterday a Bruising Match was fought near Strutton-Grounds, Westminster, between Stevens, a Nailer, and his Brother, against one Carrots and his Brother, when the Nailer beat his Antagonist, but the Brother of the Nailer was beaten. It was a very hard Battle on both Sides; and Smallwood and the Nailer's Second having differ'd, the two Seconds fought, and Smallwood was beat in two Minutes.



Tom Smallwood was a famous boxer who had defeated Slack thrice before 1751.

 

Broughton-Stevenson bout:

1738-03-30 London Evening-Post (page 2)
Thursday Noon was decided the great Boxing Match at the Booth at Tottenham-Court, between the famous John Broughton and George Stephenson, Coachman to the Right Hon. the Marquess of Powis, for 100l. (Pipes was second to Broughton, and the fighting Barber to the Coachman) when Broughton beat his Antagonist in 16 Minutes and an Half. Several considerable Sums were depending, and a great Number of Persons of Distinction present; It was one of the hardest Battles ever known, and both were oblig'd to be carried off the Stage, terribly bloody and bruis'd. One Mayner, a Barber and Perriwigg-maker in Dean-street, Soho, was squeaz'd to Death in attempting to get into the Booth.



The man who was Broughton's second, died shortly afterward, and both Broughton and Stevenson attended the funeral.

1738-05-11 The Derby Mercury (page 4)
Last Friday Night was buried, Thomas Allen, commonly called Pipes, particularly famous for his Art and Bravery in Boxing; He was Gallery Door keeper to Drury-Lane Playhouse; and the Funeral (which was extraordinary decent) was, for his faithful Services, defray'd by his Master. It was remarkable, that his Pall was supported by John Broughton, Nathaniel Peartree, George Taylor, George Stevenson, Benjamin Boswell, and Thomas Dimmack. Six of the most celebrated Boxers that this or perhaps any Age has produced. To see half a Dozen such brave Fellows affectionately and decently attending him to his Grave is an Instance (as in their Scene of Life he was often their Antagonist) of the innate generous Love of Valour for which Englishmen are so justly distinguish'd.

 

Loss of Figg to Sutton in 1727:

1727-06-10 The Ipswich Journal, or The Weekly-Mercury (page 3)
LONDON, June 13.
The Company at Mr. Figg's Amphitheatre was agreeably entertain'd this Week; and pretty much at his own Expense; for there having been some private Disputes between him and Mr. Sutton, the Gravesend Champion; the last was determined to end them, in that publick Manner; so to it they went in Earnest; The Hero of the Day was Mr. Sutton, who came off Victorious; and his Opponent 'tis thought will not be fit for Action for some time, being wounded in the Belly, and, to use their own Term, made a Devil of; that is, Cloven in the Foot.

 

massive shame audio visual recording only went back the 19th century. if only the romans had stuck around to invent cameras, though I guess there would come a point where old recordings would be too faded anyway.

 

Too bad we don't have film of any bareknuckle fights of old days to know how it happened. Always better to see for yourself than read the reports or see the images in the manuals.

 

Instead of sitting on your fat ass in front of your computer maybe you should pay a visit to your local library and do some actual research.

That might be a start. Whether you believe it or not the internet isn't the final word on research.