English Champions: Peter Corcoran "The Irish Champion"

Peter Corcoran is seen as being champion of England from 1771 when he beat William Darts until 1776 when he was defeated by Harry Sellars

From Boxiana by Pierce Egan

A most celebrated Pugilist from the Sister Country, was born at Athoye, in the county of Carlow, who took the lead for some years as a boxer in England, and might be said to be the best man of his time ; was five feet eleven inches in height, well-proportioned limbs, and of prodigious strength. Peter, from a boy, was distinguished for his uncommon intrepidity; and was looked upon in the vicinity of his father's mud edifice as the cockof the walk! He left Ireland a mere stripling, and in his peregrinations to the metropolis — Birmingham chanced to fall in his way ; in which place, through an accidental skirmish, his fame rose so high as a pugilist, that it was not long in reaching London. Corcoran was accompanied from the sod by another tight boy, and they being somewhat fatigued with their journey ; or, as an Irish or English poet, no matter which, most sublimely and poetically observes :
"They who have money can ride in Post-chaises — But Honies that have none, must walk, by Jasus !"
and so it fell out with Peter and his friend, for money was the lightest thing they had about them — but, not withstanding this scarcity of the rhino, hunger will very often intrude where there are no pockets at all — and a beautiful little shoulder of mutton, hanging at a butcher's shop, so fastened on the longing imagination of hungry Peter, that he could not pass it, and in stantly went in to know the price. Some difference occurring respecting the terms, Master Steel, without any hesitation, threatened to knock the shoulder about poor Paddy's nob ! It appeared that this Butcher was a bit of a hit-a-body, and well known in Birmingham as a pugilist, and distinguished for his insolence, and who flattered himself that he should have a little sport with these haymakers, as he termed them ; but, in the sequel, it turned out somewhat different. Peter, who had not only felt himself baulked of his beautiful little joint, but insulted also, exclaimed, with all the fervour of the brogue, " By Jasus, Mr. Butcher, but you have too much prate — and for half a pin, but I'd bate the mutton out of your greasy carcase!" Paddy had scarcely ut tered the words, when the Butcher showed fight, and a regular set-to commenced — a concourse of people soon collected, and Peter, with his clumsy thumps, served our the Knight of the Cleaver in the presence of his neighbours, and knocked down his consequence as a fighting man, in the course of a few minutes; and shortly afterwards enjoyed his mutton with as keen an appetite as if nothing had happened ; and the next day pursued his journey to London.

Corcoran, upon his arrival in the Metropolis, com menced coal-heaver ; but which calling he soon left for that of chairman ; and, owing to some trifling dispute, it was not long afterwards when he went to sea, where the rough elements gave additional vigour to his athletic frame; and, from the frequent specimens he at times had displayed, was considered, for a mill, the first man in the fleet, and was patronised by Captain Perceval. When at Portsmouth, he performed a number of feats of strength; and one, among the number, was beating a whole press-gang, and breaking the Lieutenant's sword over his head. Peter, on leaving the navy, came to London, and took the Black Horse, in Dyot- street, St. Giles's, where his disposition was experienced to be generous, truly good-natured, and remarkably tender-hearted. As a pugilist — he was a first-rate article, possessing bottom, which could not be excelled, as he did not know how to shift, and scorned to fall without a knock-down blow ! Peter was denominated a straight fighter ; put in his blows with uncommon force ; and possessed great confidence in his own powers : his attitude was considered too erect, his arms not sufficiently extended, by which means his guard was incomplete. But Corcoran was distinguished for the use of both his hands with equal facility ; his aim was generally correct, and he scarcely ever missed the object in view — and was peculiarly successful in taking advantage of any trifling neglect in his adversary ; and likewise celebrated for an extraordinary jumper. Peter had several scholars, among whom was Big Pitt, well- known for many years as one of the turnkeys of New gate, a man of uncommon size and strength ; and being one night at Joyce's house, a pugilist, in the Hay- market, brim-full of conceit, surrounded by fighting men, foolishly exclaimed, " that some of the milling coves had taught their pupils so well, that many of them were able to beat their masters!" Upon which Peter instantly got up, and addressing himself to Pitt, " What's that you say, you spalpeen ! come, come out !" Pitt stood up, but received such a leveller upon the head, as completely knocked all recollection out of him, for a few minutes, of what he had been throwing off about! and, upon recovering himself acknowledged he he had been most wofully deceived. Peter beat one Turner, who fought him for twenty' pounds; and, although the latter had beaten the Nailer, yet, in the hands of Corcoran, he was soon disposed of.

In the Long-fields, behind the British Museum,. Peter had a good battle: with one Dalton, an Irishman; and also with Jack Davis; they wore both beaten dreadfully.

A desperate contest look pluce in Moorlields, between Smiler, the Brickmaker, and Corcoran; when Peter was again victorious.

The famous Bill Darts now mounted the stage with Corcoran, for two hundred pounds, to give additional sport to Epsom races. The set-to commenced with cautious sparring upon the part of Darts, who soon discovered that he could not win; and in a short time gave in! A singular report crept into circulation, accounting for Darts losing the battle— that Colonel O' Kelly (one of the most celebrated sportsmen upon the turf, and who, undoubtedly, was awake to every manoeuvre in gambling that could be tried on with any degree of cer tainty, either on the Turf orat the Table— Play or Pay — Cockpit or Racquets) backed his countryman for a large amount ; but to make his bets dead sure, on the night previous to the fight, he presented Darts with one hundred pounds not even to try to win the battle, but positively to lose it. Surely, no thorough-bred sportamm could commit such a bare-faced robbery! And, upon the best information, we are assured, that Darts, in his prime, was never half man enough for Corcoran !

Sam Peters, who fought Peter at Waltham-Abbey, in Essex, was the best man, according to Corcoran's own account, that ever set-to with him. It was a comple hammering fight; and, at the expiration of ten minutes, Peters declared he was satisfied; and Corcoran's body for several days afterwards was entirely black, the bruises being extremely severe.

Corcoran, who had hitherto beatall the men which had been brought against him, and whose powers appeared not in the least diminished, was now doomed to sink fast into obscurity, from his memorable contest with Sellers, a west-countryman. There is a consider able mystery hanging over that transaction ; and it was, most undoubtedly, at the period when they fought, October 16, 1776, the general opinion of the sporting world, that it was a complete do ! It being well understood, that Sellers was deficient in science and bottom when placed in competition with Peter. The battle was for one hundred guineas, and decided at Staines- On the set-to, Peter (who had always fought for victory previous to this combat) began, as usual, and drove Sellers about the stage like a shuttle-****, and put in a blow, so powerful in its effect, as to knock down Sellers, who fell at a considerable distance from him. The odds were considerably high on Peter ; who, as if recollecting that he had done too much, immediately suffered himself, so as to make it have the appearance of a fight, to he beat about the stage for ten minutes, when he gave-in! This contest, if it can be so called, took twenty-three minutes. — The knowing ones were completely dished, at least, those who were not in the secret; and the poor Paddies were literally ruined, as many of them had backed their darling boy with every farthing they possessed. St. Giles's was in a complete uproar, with mutterings and disapprobation at Peter's conduct.

Previous to the fight, Peter's house was almost destitute of any liquor, and he had been threatened with an execution for rent,etc. ; but in a day or two after the set-to, the house was flowing with all sorts of spirits, etc. graced with plenty of new pots; the inside and out painted, and every thing got up in a superior style to what it ever had been witnessed before : and the very next morning after the mill, Peter Corcoran was playing at skittles at the Blakeney's Head, St. Giles's, with all the activity und cheerfulness of a man who had never been engaged at all in pugilism. He shortly afterwards sunk into beggary and contempt, and was as much despised as he had been before respected ; and was so miserably poor at his decease, that his remains were interred by subscription ! — reminding us, that— " Honour and shame from no condition rise, Act well your part — There all the honour lies !"

 

From Pancratia, Or, A History of Pugilism (1812):

Sept. 24, 1769, a boxing match was decided between Turner, a pugilist who had beat Bill Stevens, and Peter Corcoran, An Irishman, for £20 a side, which was won by the former.
Peter Corcoran, as a pugilist of his period, stands first as a fair fighter, being generally engaged with the most powerful pugilists, he was unfortunate in the event of his contests, and indeed had but little reason to triumph even when victorious, for as he never shifted, or fell, unless accidentally, without a blow, he seldom escaped a severe drubbing.
He generally gave his blows straight, and with very great force; his guard was injudicious, by keeping himself too erect, and not sufficiently extending his arms; he exceeded most most men in the use of both hand, and though a close fighter, struck with great certainty, always reserving himself to take advantage of his atagonist's openings.
. . .
May 16, 1771, during Epsom races, a battle was fought between Bill Darts, and Peter Corcoran, for £100 a side. Captain O'Kelly made the match, and backing his countryman to a large amount, but previous to the battle, gave Dart £100 to play CROSS; accordingly when they met, after a little sparring, Corcoran gave Darts a blow on the side of the head, which drove him against the rail of the stage, when he immediately gave in. It was so evident that Darts had FOUGHT BOOTY, that none of the sporting men would afterwards back him: thus by one dirty action Darts lost all the fame he had been for so many years acquiring.
. . .
In 1774, a battle that had been long expected between Peter Cocoran and Sam Peters, took place at Waltgam Abbey, in Essex. At setting to the bets were three to two in favour of Peters, who, though he maintained the superiority, gave in without any apparent cause at the expiration of 15 minutes, greatly to the disappointment of the sporting ones.
. . .
October 16, 1776, a boxing match was fought between the well-known Irish pugilist Peter Corcoran, and Harry Seller, a West-country bruiser, for 100 guineas, and bets to the amount of £500 or £600 depending on the event.
The combatants met at the Crown Inn, Staines, to decide the contest; at the first onset, Corcoran gave his anragonist a most violent blow, which threw to the fartest end of the stage, and the odds increased from three, to five to one in Peter's favour. Sellers afterwards fought very shy for about 18 minutes, in order to wind his antagonist, which having accomplished, he advanced boldly, and beat him by straight forward hitting in ten minutes. This was the first conquest gained over this Hibernian champion

 

Pugilistica lists Corcoran's reign as doubtfull owing to William Darts's previous loss to Tom Lyons. In general it seems quite critical or Corcoran and Eigan's view of him.

From Pugilistica:
WE may as well here despatch Peter Corcoran, to whom Pierce Egan has
devoted several pages of fabrication in honour of " ould Ireland."First he
thrashed all the potato diggers in the vicinity of his father's mud edifice ;
then he, and perhaps another, beat an English butcher who refused to let
him and a friend have a shoulder of mutton at their own price: Pierce
almost hints they had no money. It seems that Paddy not only thrashed
the butcher " Master Steel" in a few minutes, but " shortly afterwards enjoyed
his mutton (is the reader or the mutton roasted ?) with as keen an appetite as
if nothing had happened (which we suppose was the case), and next day
pursued his journey to London."* At Portsmouth, after a trip to sea, he
performed a number of feats of strength; one among them was "leating a
whole press gang, and breaking the lieutenant's sword over his head." Here's
a scene for a new "Black-eyed Susan." The promotion of Billy Taylor's
sweetheart did not, however, fall to the lot of Peter, and " on leaving the
navy, he came to London," etc.

"After a little sparring, Corcoran gave Darts a blow on the side of the
head, which drove him against the rail of the stage, then he immediately
gave in. It was said that Darts had played booty, and none of the sporting
men would afterwards back him ; thus by one dirty action Darts lost all the
fame he had been for so many years acquiring." This reflection has a pecu-
liar moral squint, as we have already said. What about the Colonel who
bought the poor fellow ?

Whether his next battle with Peters was a victory we will just leave to
the reader of the report. "The long expected match between Sam Peters
and Peter Corcoran took place at Waltham Abbey, Essex, in June, 1774.
At setting-to the bets were three to one in favour of Peters (this, we should
say, was a good thing), who, though he maintained the superiority, gave in
without any apparent cause at the expiry of fifteen minutes, greatly to the
disappointment of the sporting ones." We should think so. Here is the
account from "Boxiana," p. 86, "Sam Peters was the best man, according
to Corcoran's account, that ever set-to with him. It was a complete ham-
mering fight (!), and at the expiration of ten minutes Peters declared he was
satisfied, and Corcoran's body for several days afterwards was entirely black,
the bruises being extremely severe." Heavy work on both sides for ten
minutes. The fastest moderns cannot go this pace. The account of Corcoran's
battle with Harry Sellers, October 16th, 1776, will be found under HARRY
SELLERS. As Peter was thrashed, it was of course "a sell," though it looks
like a victory on its merits, and "Boxiana" "points a moral," which is
applicable to this as to all other cases of betrayal of backers by pugilists, who
should never forget
"Tis not in mortals to command success,"
but "do more, deserve it," is very good if the case warranted it.

The favourable notice in " Pancratia," whence Pierce drew the staple he
has spun out so absurdly, thus speaks of Corcoran : " Peter, as a pugilist of his
period, stands first rank as a fair fighter; being generally engaged with
powerful pugilists, he was unfortunate in the events of his contests, and indeed
he had little reason to triumph when victorious, for as he never shifted
or fell, unless accidentally, without a blow, he seldom escaped a severe
drubbing." These are the words of truth and soberness, and place Corcoran's
courage and game on a fair footing, despite the extravagant eulogies of his
compatriot. Perhaps, however, Mr. Vincent Dowling, in his "Fistiana,"
has exercised the wisest discretion ; finding the accounts too discrepant for
reconciling, he has left the name of Corcoran cut of the letter C altogether.

 

From Boxing Reviewed (1790)
CORCORAN Stands first as a fair fighter. His blows were all straight, and planted with prodigious force. He never shifted nor fell, unless accidentally, without being struck. His guard was injudicious, the arms not being sufficiently extended, and the body too upright. He excceded most men in the power of using both hands, and though he has been blamed as a slow fighter, he had the merit of striking with certainty, for he always reserved himaelf to take advantage of his adversary's opens. Unfortunate in he event of his conteats, he had not much to boast, even when victorious ; for engaging with powerful pugilifts, and meeting them in a manly manner, he seldom escaped being severely beaten.

 

Oxford Journal - Saturday 30 May 1772
Yesterday afternoon a great bruising match was fought on Epsom Downs, between the famous Darts the Dyer, and one Cotrell. The odds, before the engagement began, were ten to one on the former, but after two minutes conflict, Darts was beat,, to the great disappointment of the Knowing Ones, several of whom were pretty deeply taken in.

Stamford Mercury - Thursday 18 June 1772
It is said that a certain sporting Captain, who so warmly espoused the late boxing match at Epsom, between the Hibernian Publican and Darts the Dyer, cleared no less than 1500l. by the battle, the conquerred party 500l. by bye bets.

Public Advertiser - June 5, 1772
It is thought that the Battle between Darts, the Dyer, and Cockering, the Irishman, fought a few days since at Epsom, was all a Sham, for the former, said to be dying of his Bruises, on Monday last fought a Battle of 15 Minutes near St. Geroge's Fields with a more powerful Man than Cockering for a considerable Sum, and was victorious, which ought to be a Cauton how People lay their Money on such Fellows.

Saunders's News-Letter - Wednesday 22 September 1773
Cockran,the boxing Irishman, who some time since fought and conquered the noted Darts the dyer, is arrived from Ireland, at the instigation of a certain sporting count, who sent him over a bank note to pay his passage, &c. in order again to enter the lists with the sime champion; many thousand pound are already bet on the combat

Oxford Journal - Saturday 17 September 1774
It is amazing what a concourse of people from every quarter of London, as well of the higher ranks as the middling and lowest classes, were crowding the road all day on Monday in going to Waitham Abbey to see the battle which was fought there between Cockran the Irishman, and Peters the Gunsmith. It was supporsed there was not less than 10,000 spectators present, near 500 of which came in carriages. The Public Houses were so full, that nby dinner timer there was no such thing as getting a morsel of any thing to eat nor a drop of liquor, but at an extravagant rate. Astonishing! and a sure proof of the vicious taste of the age, when not content with running after Bottle Conjuerers and ****-lane Ghosts at home, they are ready to gallop fifteen miles for the vulgar, inhuman pleasure of seeing two men meet in cold blood to beat and wound each other; and this too for a fight which lasted but six minutes.

1775-04-22 The Middlesex Journal And Evening Advertiser (page 2)
Saturday a pitched battle was fought in Lincol's Inn Fields, between William Allen, Butcher, in Clare-market, and Соскran, the famous bruiser, when the Butcher beat the latter, who never lost a battle before.

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.

 

I think there's plenty more on Corcoran still to post, so keep an eye out

Heavyweight Champions from Ancient to Present
Bareknuckle history meta-thread

 

Derby Mercury - Friday 30 August 1776
Yesterday at the Public-Office in Bow-Street, before Sir John Fielding and the rest of the Magistrates, Ann Forbesm alias Seabright, was put to the Bar, when a Gentleman informed the Bench that last Sunday Night he slept with the Prisoner at a House in Covent-Garden; that abot Six o'Clock next Morning he awoke, and missing the Prisoner, started out of Bed, and discovered that he had lost six Guineas, and Bank Notes, and Bank Post Bills, to the Amount of near 400l. that being told she was seen about a Quarter of an Hour before going up James-street, Covent Garden, he immediately went to the Police in Bow-street, and gave Information. Mr. John Clarke, a Peace Officer, desposed, that in Consequenceof the Information, he and the Prosecutor went to the House of Peter Cockran, in St. Gile's, and on Enquiry, found the Prisoner had been there, and that she and Cockran's Wife went from thence in a Coach, which, from a Variety of Cirumstances, he traced till he found the Prisoner in a Public-House at Stepney; and, upon searching of her, found upwards of 300l. worth of Bank Notes and 29 Guineas, all of which she confessed were the Property of the said Gentleman, except one Guinea and a Half. Cockran's Wide swore that the Prisoner came to her about Six o'Clock on Monday Morning, and told her is she would change her a Note of 50l. she would discharge a Note of Hand the Evidence had of Captain P—, (with whom it was said the Prisoner cohabited) but she (Cockran's wife) being ignorant of transacting such Business, proposed going to her Distiller, Mr. Wollaston, to whom she owed some Money, and that there it might be discounted; that when they got to Mr. Wollaston's, the Prisoner gave her a 50l. Bank Post Bill, which she gave to the Clerk, who after ballancing the Debt, gave her 20 odd Guineas, which she gave to the Prisoner; that they then went to Mr. Smith's, a Linen Draper's in Cheapside, where the Prisooner bought some Goods, and changed a Bank Note for 20l. and from thence they went to Stepney; the Bank Notes and Post Bill were produced and identified by the said Gentleman; but, unfortunately for Mr. Wollaston, his Clerk took the Post Bill without the Gentlemen's Endorsement to whom it was payable. Mr. Wollaston begged the Bench order him the 29 Guineas found in the Prisoner's Possession, as it was the Money given in Ballance for the Bill; but Sir John Fielding observes, that as this Matter would come before a Judge, he left it to his superior Judgement to determine it. IN the Course of the Examination it appearer, the Prisoner seemed to shew as little Regard to Bank Notes, as it is said a late famous Courtezan did, who, to shew her Disregard of a 500l. Bank Note, eat it between two Slices of Bread and Butter: The Prisoner did not act in a similar Manner, but attempted to destory one of the 100l. Bank Notes with equal Indifference. The Prisoner not making any Defence, she was remanded and the respective Parties bound to prosecute and give Evidence.

 

Reading Mercury - Monday 02 September 1776
Yesterday, at the Public Office in Bow-Street, Nancy Forbes, otherwise Ann Seabright, was set on the bar, when a gentleman being sworn, gave the Banch an account of his meeting with the prisoner (whom he had long known) last Sunday evening, and retiring with her to Haddock's Bagnio, where they passed the night. He further informed them, that when he awakened, about six in the morning, the girl was gone, and he instantly missed a small pocked-book, containing bank bills and notes to the amount of 540l. That he dressed himself, and directly made application to the Office, from whence a pursuit of the prisoner was set on foot, and she was, in consequence, apprehended by Mr. Clark and Mr. Heley, at Stepney, at two o'clock last Monday. Mr. Clark confirmed this part of the gentleman's desposition; and after reciting the manner of tracing her to Cockran's. a Publican in Dyot-Street, St. Gile's. and after calling at different places, to Mr Harding's at Stepney, produced bank notes to the amount of upwards of 300l. which he had found upon the prisoner's person, together with 25 guineas; a note of hand of a gentleman of the navy, brother to a Noble Lord, was also produced, which had been given to a Distiller as a security for a debt of Cockran's for liquors and the value of which had been paid to the Distiller by a bank bill for 50l. last Monday. Mr Wollaston, the distiller, was present, with his Clerk, and the latter swore to the fact of having given up the Navy Officer's note on receipt of the bank bill abovementioned, for which he gave the balance in exchange. Mr. Wollaston produced the bill, and it appeared to be valueless for want of an endorsement. From Mr. Wollaston's house the prisoner had been traced to Mr. Smith's, linen-draper in Cheapside, where she bought some linen, a waistcoat, &c. which she paid for with one of the stolen notes. Mr. Smith was sworn and confirmed this; at the same time producing the note. Cockran deposed that she came to his house on Monday morning and shewed him the pocket-book, telling him that she had received it, with its contents, as a present from a gentleman she slept with the preceding evening. That he supposed she had been prosecuted with it by the gentleman of the Navy above alluded to, as the offered to take up the note which she knew he had given to the distiller as a security for Cockran; that they all went there together, and the transaction passedas stated by Mr. Wollaston's Clerk; that at Stepney she blew her nose with a 100l. bank note, and asked Cockran if he'd have it: but as he could neither write nor read, he refused it. The prosecutor swore to all the notes produced. He was therefore bound over to prosecute, and other parties to give evidence.

 

Chester Chronicle - Thursday 18 July 1776
Monday was fixed for a battle at Chinkford Hatch, between William Wood, a horse-hair weaver, and a noted Irish bruiser. Large sums were laid on the issue of the battle, which indeed was more fatal than could have been apprehended. The combatants took the ring at two o'clock, and fought with the utmost fury for about three minutes, then Wood gave his antagonist a violent blow, which brought him to the ground, and appeared as if it would have decided the contest; but at this instant about 150 Irishmen, armed with sticks and bludgeons, which they had secreted under their coats, broke into the ring, laid about them at a horrid rate, drove off the Englishmen, put an end to the battle, and revived the history of Balf and McQuirk at Brentford. One James Parrot, a distinguished bruiser, was beate so dreafully, that he was laid on a dunghill as dead;but afterwards recovered so as to be carried to London in a cart. Happy would it have been if the matter had ended here; but the battle was afterwards renewed o the spot, and on the road to London, till in the end ten persons were killed, seven Irish and three English, whose bodiies were conveyed to Stratford to be owned. More than 700l. is thought depended on this battle, which is to be fought again on a future day.