The Art and Practice of Boxing by the Celebrated Pugilist

I have republished The Art and Practice of Boxing by the anonymous "Celebrated Pugilist."

As always, the ebook download is free.

http://www.lulu.com/content/paperback-book/the-art-and-practice-of-boxing/7782112

Special thanks to Michael Ruhala for providing the original scans.

Blurb:

Writing in 1825, the anonymous “Celebrated Pugilist” penned his boxing manual simply titled, “The Art and Practice of Boxing.”

This early boxing manual, as is typical, teaches footwork, striking, blocking, and training details. This includes specifics of diet and exercise, as well as grappling.

However, the “Celebrated Pugilist” deviates from the norm in two important ways. First, he dedicates an unusual amount of his text to discussion (and derision) of methods and strategies which, though technically legal under boxing rules of the time, he considers “unmanly.” Second, he cites an earlier Wrestling text, Sir Thomas Parkyn’s “In-Play” for advice and description on performing some of the grappling and throwing which were part of orthodox boxing of the period.

He includes in his text images of nine techniques which he apparently considers either confusing or foundational, rounding out his relatively short text with a recitation of Broughton’s rules which, like this manual itself, were authored before the adoption of the London Prize Ring rules of 1838.
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Peace favor your sword,
Kirk

 

Not yet.

I'm currently working on "Physical Energy" (a "physical culture" through boxing) book by the great "Bombardier" Billy Wells, written at the height of the "Roaring 20's."

Probably have it done in a week or two.

Peace favor your sword,
Kirk