Massa Kendrick

One of the ealier black boxers.
http://www.cyberboxingzone.com/boxing/kendrick-massa.htm

This was just from a quick look out of curiosity, I don't plan on researching him further at present, there's likely plenty more out there on him.

Jackson’s Oxford Journal Sat Jun 5 1819 (page 4)
Earl Derby shewed his usual hospitality to sporting friends during Epsom Races—Oliver and a black named Kendrick, fought a battle there on Friday for 50l.—Oliver won, but it took him an hour and three minutes to accomplish it.

The Morning Chronicle Wed Aug 18 1819 (page 3)
Bone, whom Carter beat in his maiden fight, challenged to fight Kendrick, the black, in the same ring as Cy. Davis and the Irishman on Tuesday next, for a purse, which the black accepted.

The Exeter Flying Post or Trewman’s Plymouth and Cornish Advertiser Thu Sep 2 1819 (page 3)
Second Fight.—In consequence of Boone not appearing to fight Kendrick, the Black, a purse of 25 guineas was made up on the ground, and Scroggins and Josh. Hudon agreed to fight for the same. After 11 well-contested rounds, Scroggins yielded, and Hudson triumphantly bore off the prize.

The Morning Chronicle Wed Dec 15 1819 (page 4)
SPARRING.

The Fives Court in St. Martin’s-street was yesterday numerously attended, for the benefit of Oliver, who fights Shelton on the 23d instant. The sports were far from keeping pace with the patronage bestowed, as there was not one read good set-to, the matches being chiefly confined to youngsters, unknown in the ring. The best bouts were between Purcell and Scroggins, Reynolds and Calaid, and Sutton and Kendrick the black. Oliver and Spring set-to, and the former had decidedly the best of it. Robert Burn was anxious for a display, but neither Sutton nor any other of the bid ones would have him.

Belasco mounted the stage, and challenged to fight the Birmingham lad, in six weeks, for 50l. The challenge was accepted, Brummagen said his money was ready.

There were other challenges talked of, but quite of minor importance.

The majority of amateurs breeched, retired to Franklin’s to cut five and six at surloins. The place for the fight between Martin and Josh. Hudson would be fixed there, which takes place on Thursday. Betting 5 to 4 on Hudson, and 30 to 10 that Martin and Shelton don’t both win.

The Morning Post Fri Dec 24 1819 (page 3)
BOXING DISAPPOINTMENTS, &c.

The great fight between Oliver and Shelton, who are considered the two best men of the day, was to have taken place at Copthorne yesterday, more than 30 miles from London; but it did not. The fight had been formerly stopped at Byefield, seven miles nearer to London than Copthrone, but the Magistrates would not permit it. Cophthorne having been names, Shelton had gone there; and Oliver being at Byefield, the former was sent for, but his backers, sticking to their articles, refused that removal which should cause any fatigue to their man. This situation, the amateurs determined upon a fight, and the half-starved black, Kendrick, who had formerly fought Oliver at Epsom races last year, was pitted against Sutton, another black, the best man of the day. Sutton hit him to death, to use the technicality, in a few minutes, without giving him half a chance, and any other comment is unnecessary, excepting that poor Kendrick was so much pitted that the ring turned round. The Amateurs returned full of disappointment and blue ruin, with floored prads and sulky driving.

London New Times April 26, 1820 page 3
Massa Kendrick and the Life Guardsman went to work in opposition to each other like hammer-men at a blacksmith’s forge. The man of war was in high spirits, and some of the clumsy thumps of blacky made him reel again; but as to any display of science, it was not resorted to by either of the combatants. Kendrick is in better condition than he ever before appeared at the Fives Court, and will yet prove an ugly customer for any one that may fancy him.

London New Times August 9, 1820 page 3
Massa Kendrick took a turn with young Abbot, and a heavy turn it was; it was after those warlike days when the battering ram was introduced for the purposes of demolishing walls. This set-to also produced on both sides a challenge for 20l. aside

The Morning Post Thu Apr 26 1821
Bow-Street.—Yesterday Spring Alias Kendrick, the Black Pugilist, was brought to the Office on a Bench Warrant, a true Bill having been found against him at the Sessions, on the charge of Cribb, the Pugilist. The Prisoner endeavoured to pass off the charge, by saying they were both fighting men together, and made light of the charge; however Cribb attended, and was determined to pursue the charge, stating that the Prisoner had assaulted him so violently, and behaved in such an outrageous manner in his house, that he was obliged to take him by the waist and throw him down. The Prisoner was ordered to remain in town till he had good security.



The Bristol Mercury and Daily Post Western Countries and South Wales Advertiser Sat May 5 1821 (page 4)
Kendrick, the Black Diamond, was then brought up before the Magistrate, on a Bench warrant, for an assault on the Champion of England!

The sable hero kicked most confoundedly at finding himself in the grasp of the law. When told by the Magistrate that he must find good and sufficient bail he exclaimed—“Bail!—What occasion for any bail! Missa Cribb is the quarrelsomest man in all England. He’s a fighting man, and I’m a fighting man, and if I gives him a punch in the head and he gives me another, what’s that to any body else? And so what’s the use of talking about bail?”

In reply to this tirade the champion calmly replied, “If I was not to take such a step as this now and then I could not carry on my business, or even live in my own house, for these swaggering blackguards.” He then explained to the Magistrate that the defendant was noisy and riotous in his house, and in consequence he insisted on his leaving: but instead of doing so he was daring enough to seize the champion by the cravat and attempt to extinguish his glories by strangulation, at the same time placing his hand hunder his thigh, apparently with the intention of throwing him: “But,” said the champion, “that was all my eye, and I bored him down.”

The Black Diamond was now about to retort, but the Magistrate stopped his mouth by ordering him to find the required bail without more ado: and not being then prepared with any, he was put into the turnkey’s boudoir.

Morning Chronicle July 19, 1821
SPARRING.

Ben Burn’s benefit, at the Tennis-court, in Great Windmill street. . . .

Larkin and Kendrick the Black hit away mischievously, and the Black had none the worst of the three first rounds, but he got an unlucky throttle in the 4th round, and strange to tell, this said hit lamed him in the knee, and he pulled off the gloves very judiciously in two rounds after.

The Morning Post Wed Aug 29 1821 (page 3)
SPARRING.

Crawley had his benefit at the Fives Court yesterday, and his merit as a boxer, was rewarded by a good Court. Amongst the best sets-to were the following:—

. . .

Kendrick, the black, and an athletic coachman, set to, and we only notice it to state, that such overgrown novices disgrace the stage by their awkwardness.

Observer Of The Times September 17, 1821 page 3
The Royal Tennis Court, in Windmill-street, produced a bumper on Thursday. . . .

Crawley, and Kendrick the Black made an excellent set-to; as did also . . . .

The Morning Chronicle Fri Dec 14 1821 (page 3)
Sparring.—Kendrick, the Black, had Benefit at the Royal Tennis Court, Windmill-street, yesterday, and it was satisfactorily attended.

The setting-to was far below mediocrity. The only novelty was the appearance of Neate, who was accompanied by Belcher and H. Harmer, with his arm in a sling, from a hurt in the shoulder. The Champion of England obeyed the call to mount the stage, and he was received with much acclamation. Gas was not there, but he is arrived safe in London, and recovering from the heavy he received.

London St James Chronicle And Evening Post December 18, 1821 page 3
CONTINUATION OF THE SPORTS AT MOUSLEY ON TUESDAY.

The sports were not over until dark. The second battle between Linney and Brown lasted more than an hour and a half, but it was too indifferent to go into any detail of it. There was went of mettle on both sides, and the conduct of Brown in treading upon his adversary, and hitting him foul when on the ground, excited much murmuring. Linney was declared the winner, but there was but little punishment on either side.

Kendrick and Acton fought a manly battle of 17 rounds. They turned up to their work, went up to each other’s heads, and never left until both felt the effects. Kendrick was backed at 6 to 4 in the first three rounds, but in the fourth he was floored by a doubler up in the body, which sent the wind out of him. Acton led for a time, but the Black got round, and finished the battle by giving his adversary a heavy fall.

Much crossing and jostling took place on the road home, in the absence of Sir Oliver to show a light upon the subject.

 

The Observer Sun Dec 23 1821 (page 4)
KENDRICK AND ACTON.

This was a manly stand-up fight of seventeen rounds, in which both men showed a perfect indifference to punishment. It was not concluded till night threw her sable mantle over the assembled multitude, and Kendrick became almost indistinguishable by the distant spectators. Kendrick was ultimately successful, but both were dreadfully beaten.

Gas (Ilickman) was on the ground, and in high spirits.

The Bury and Norwich Post Wed Dec 26 1821
Three boxing matches took place at Moulsey Hurst on Tuesday last.—The first was between Sampson, the Birmingham Youth, and Abbot, who lately beat Oliver; it was protracted to the 32d round, when Abbot was declared victor.—The second battle, between Linney and Brown, lasted more than an hour and a half, and was won by the former.—Kendrick, the black, and Acton, afterwards fought 17 rounds, and the latter was beaten.—Randall and Matin are matched to fight for 300l. a side.

The Morning Post Mon Feb 25 1822
BOXING.

The battle between Kendrick and Acton, will take place on Thursday next, the 28th instant, in a twenty-one feet rope ring, both men are sanguine of success. Acton has been trained at Brighton, under the tuition of the scientific Mr. Eales: while Kendrick has been training over the delightful spot, near Richmond, Surrey. Betting five to one on the Black. The Suffolk Champion, and Robert Burn, will also contend in the same ring, for a subscription purse. After which the battle between the two bakers, Miller and M’Lean, will settle their disputes, who takes up forty sovereigns.

The Morning Post Fri Mar 1 1822
The fight between Acton and Kendrick the Black took place yesterday at Moulsey, the Magistrates having interfered to prevent its being fought at Hounslow.—Acton was seconded by Spring and Eales, and the Black by Randal and Jos. Hudon.

For several rounds the Black had decidedly the advantage, and betting was sometimes not less than ten to one in his favour. In the 15th round, however, Acton gave the Black a body blow of so severe a description that he fell apparently breathless, and did not recover its effect for the remainder of the battle. In the 17th round both men were at a stand still, but Acton, although most beat, was in best wind. After this the Black had not a hit left, and it became Acton’s turn to operate with all his might. The Black was led up to the scratch eight other rounds, but all the exertions of his seconds could not invest him with a hit, and Acton was declared the winner.

Bob Burn and Suffolk Champion are off till another time.

Jackson’s Oxford Journal Sat Mar 9 1822
BOXING.—Kendrick the black, and Acton, were matched for 25l. to fight on Tuesday last, at Arlington Corner, Hounslow Heath; but being prevented by the police, the men went to Mousley Hurst, followed by an immense number of amateurs of all degrees. The ring was here entered at thee o’clock, and 32 rounds of hard fighting ensued, which until the 18th were in favour of the black; by that time he had so exhausted himself, that Acton was enabled to take the lead, and win the battle. It lasted 53 minutes.

The Morning Chronicle Wed Jul 10 1822 (page 3)
Sparring.—The veteran Mendoza had a benefit at the Tennis-Court yesterday. The Court was very thin, and scarcely any of the boxers attended. Crawley and Kendrick the black made a good set-to, and it was the only one. Mendoza gave some good imitations of Johnson, Bill Ward, Humphries, and others of the old school.

The Morning Chronicle Fri Mar 1 1822
BOXING.

Yesterday being appointed for the battle between Acton and Kendrick, the Black, it was a day of much bustle in the pugilistic fancy, as two other battles were also nominated for the day’s play. Acton had once been beat by the Black, and both were considered men high on the list. There was a rare set out on the road of every description of vehicle that could be placed upon wheels, moved on by prads of every sort and size, from the highest mettled blood and bone, to the rourers that a knucker would scarcely stand half-a-bean each for. Arlington, corner public-house on Hounslow-heath, was the receptacle for commoners, but the Magpies was head quarters for the swells, and in Ten-acre field, down a lane contiguous, the ring was made. All was between hope and suspence until between one and two o’clock, when an enemy, one Trimmer, shewed himself from ambush, garbed with civil authority, and removed the forces by word of command, with only their blessings left behind. The next start was for Moulsey, and many turned sulky and declined the chase, trimming the meddler of their sports in blue ruin and heavy. The ring was made at Moulsey, and soon after three o’clock the men entered. The disparagement in size was full 20Ibs, in favour of the Black. Seconds—Spring and Eales for Acton; Randal and Josh. Hudson For Kendrick. Betting 2 to 1 on the Black.

Round 1. The Black placed a straight left-handed hit upon the mouth, ad Acton, who returned with a blow half telling on the body, when the Black hit him on the head with his right hand, ad followed with two others. Acton went down, being over-balanced by the blows.

2. The Black made the play, and placed blows left and right, which told heavily. He pursued his good luck, and placed more hits, in return for Actons’s which were short. Acton was floored heavily by a left-handed bow, and the claret flew from the nose and mouth in streams. Blackee screwed his very ugly physog into a knowing smile, and there appeared no chance for the white man in the minds of all.

3. The Black, flushed with success, commenced very mischievous play in this round, and had an untaught ploughman been before him he could not have operated more successfully. It was Rhode’s farm to a milk-walk; after hitting him several times Acton went down, seemingly as senseless as a drunken beadle from a city feast, 4, 5 and 6 to 1, or any odds were offered in vain.

4. Blood flew in another stream from the right eye of Acton, which crimsoned the cheek, and the Black followed up his successful career in the same manner as in the two former rounds, placing his blows chiefly left handed, which prevented Acton’s getting into action, and he was thrown from a struggle out of the ring, with his adversary upon him.—10 to 1 was offered on the Black.

5. The Black had out fought himself and his pompey like the swell in a gale of wind in Chelsea-reach; Acton in all his distress made some scientific parries, and drew blood from the Black’s mouth. In was an equal round for the first time, but betters were shy. The Black was thrown.

6. Acton placed a blow, when the Black grassed him by a heavy blow on the mouth, none but a good one would have stood it.

7, 8, 9, and 10th rounds were in favour of the Black, who threw his adversary, or had him under in each of them, but his hitting got weaker.

The Black fought in distress until the 17th round, although he kept rather the best of it; but in this round Acton placed a good body blow with the right hand, as he had done in the 12th and 15th rounds, which made Blackee grunt like a paviour driving a stone; he fell with the blow, and the odds came to even, for it was evident the Black was too distressed to stay long.

16. Acton made another right-handed hit at the body, but missing it, the Black caught him in a frantic manner, and threw him, for the hit was out of him.

17. Both men were at a stand still, but Acton, although most beat, was in best wind. After this the Black had not a hit left, and it became Acton’s turn to operate with all his might. The Black was led up to the scratch eight other rounds, but all the exertions of his seconds could not invest him with a hit, and Acton was declared the winner.

The battle between Bob Burn and Suffolk Champion is off til another time.

The second battle, or rather a match of pully hauley, took place between two baker, Shoc-head and Strait-hair; Strait-har won it.

London Statesman June 7, 1822
QUEEN-SQUARE.—Yesterday Kendrick, the Black Pugilist, was committed, in default of bail, for assaulting a hackney coachman, named Freethey, and Caleb Baldwin, jun. (the son of old Caleb, the pugilist and Bear-baiter) on Thursday night, in the Almonry, Westminster.

Bareknuckle history meta-thread

 

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