Oxford Journal - Saturday 12 January 1805 Yesterday a battle was fought at Wood’s Green, Hornsey, for twenty-five guineas a side, between G. Maddox, aged 50, a notorious pugilist, and —Cribb, a Coal Heaver, aged 22, late a pupil of his antagonist, who had never before publicly displayed his dexterity in the pugilistic art. At the commencement even betting took place; in the first round Cribb fought shy, and several unsuccessful hits were made by Maddox, who fell from the wetness of the ground; each succeeding round was in favour of Maddox- At about the 10th round Cribb stood to his man, who gave him a knock-down blow, and caught him while falling with a hard blow on the side; bets were then five and sixe to two on Maddox, who had the best of it until they had fought upwards of an hour and a half. Cribb then acted with great caution, and by his shifting, Maddox often fell on his own blow. After they had fought one hour and three quarters the friends of Maddox, who appeared freatly fatigued, advised him to resign the contest, but he declared he was as good a man as when the fight began, and he would yet see his pupil see it. In the subsequent round he put in a clean blow which closed the right eye of his antagonist, and followed it up by two sharp ones on the body; bets, which had turned in favour of Cribb, were again on the level; but Maddox had the worst of the fight until the 79th round, when he was quite exhausted, and reluctantly gave in. They were evidently both much beaten, and Cribb presented a shocking spectacle. The battle lasted nearly two hour.—Jones and Hall were seconds to Maddox; and Ryan and Richmond (a black man) to Cribb. Derby Mercury - Thursday 21 February 1805 This day a battle was fought at Blackheath for 40 guineaas, between Young Crib and Tom Blake. At setting to bets were level; but after they had fought half an hour, the odds were exchanged, but from the length of Crib’s arm, Blake was unable ti fight with success. In the last round but two, Cib rallied his opponent, but Blake recovered, and returned the salute, when he over-reached himself, and Crib have him a cross-buttock. He fought two rounds after, when he reluctantly resigned the contest. Hampshire Chronicle - Monday 27 May 1805 Pugilism.—At the fight which was lately at Shepperton, the Chicken challenged any Jew in England, to fight him within the space of a month from that time; but the Jews thought it more prudent to match their champion against another man. A man who is better known among the Jews by the nick-name of Iky Pig, than by his real name, was introduced to the pugilistic world, as the Jewish Ajax, and it was agreed that he should contest the palm with Tom Crib, who may not be improperly styled the Ulysses of the Christians. A purse of forty guineas was made up for the purpose, and the battle was fought yester at Blackheath. The Jew is a great deal the stronger man of the two; he stood up well, and faced him man with the utmost spirit, for several rounds. Crib on the other hand, was so wary, that he kept him constantly on the alert for upwards of a quarter of an hour, during which time, though Crib was tumbled to the ground seven times successively, he did not receive, comparatively speaking, any injury, but stopped the other frequently with his fist, when he was following him up with the utmost impetuosity. Superficial observers thought that the frequency of the falls must exhaust Crib, and the bets, which in the Beginning were considerable in his favour, now became even. Those who watched more attentively, however, saw, that notwithstanding Crib had each time received a blow, which apparently knocked him down, he might be said to be nearly off his centre at the time of his being hit, so that, in fact, he was only pushed down. The eighth and ninth rounds were very severe, and very closely contested; but though Crib was down at the end of each, even the friends of the Jew saw that he had the worst of it, owing particularly to two desperate blows he received on the left side. At the tenth round the Jew hung his head, and seemed very much troubled; at the close of this he got a severe blow on the side of his head, which knocked him down. He fought two rounds afterwards, apparently in great distress; and, though he knocked Crib down at the end of the 12th round, he said that he had sprained his wrist, and gave in, after having fought about twenty-five minutes. Those who had laid money on the Jew, were very much dissatisfied at his giving in at a time when he had knocked down his antagonist, and was able to walk tin a strong upright manure out of the ring. Will Wood, the coachman, seconded the Jew, and Tom Jones picked up Crib. Belcher, Hackson, and some other pugilists, besides Mr.Fletcher Read, and some other amateurs, were in the ring. When the above match was finished, a purse of ten guineas was made up for a second fight, between another Jew and another Christian, The former was one Youssop (probably a corruption of Joseph) who is well known as a fighting man among the Jews; the latter is George Richmond, an American Black. This battle lasted about a quarter of an hour; but the blows were by far more numerous, and of more serious consequence than the former. Though the fight was very fairly and impartially managed by those who had the management of it, the crowd, both Jew and Gentile, were very clamorous against the Black. The Jew sparred very neatly, and stopped a great many blows, but neither fell without being fairly knocked down, except once that the Black’s footslipped. In the third round the Black was almost beat out of the ring; but between that and the fourth he received some instructions from one of the most expert and lively pugilists of the present day. He made good use of the advice he got, and followed the other up so close, that with repeated desperate blows he totally disfigured his opponent, and compelled him to yield, after a very brave resistance, at the end of the 6th round. Morning Chronicle - Thursday 10 October 1805 A second battle, for 25 guineas, was fought between Crib and Richmond the Black. It would be insipid for us to enter into particulars respecting this fight, which, if it may be so called, lasted nearly an hour and a half. It was altogether tiresome, the Black danced about the ring, fell down, &c. while Crib, through fear or some other motive, declined going in and beating him off had. It was altogether an unequal match, and an interval of 20 minutes together elapsed without a blow of any consequence being struck. Crib beat him without a hurt. The day’s diversion was not over until near five o’clock in the evening.
Stamford Mercury - Friday 28 October 1808 Boxing—The grand match between Crib and Gregson for a stake of 500 guinease, was decided on Tuesday at Moulsey Hurst, in a 30 feet roped ring..—The beating Gregson received a few months ago from Gulley, spurred him on to be tenfold solicitous for one other combat, and on Major Morgan, his former backer, declining his patronage, the Marquis of Tweedale assumed the honourable office of patronizing him for this combat, against Crib, who was backed by P. Methuen, Esp. At half past twelve o’clock they prepared for battle. Gulley and Gibbons seconded Crib, and Jem Belcher and Richman, Gregson. Betting was five to four on Crib. At quarter before one they set-to, and strict silence prevailed. The rounds.—1 The instant Crib shook hands, he stepped back two paces and put himself in attitude, and a short sparring followed, when Gregson attempted the first assault with his left hand at an ill judged distance, which of course fell short, and Crib attempted a hit, which went over Gregson’s left shoulder, & closing followed. Both fell, Crib undermost. 2. Crib hit his adversary right and left on the body, and got away. Gregson followed courageously, but could not place a blow, and in closing Crib fell on his knees. 3. Gregson made a courageous attempt to hit his adversary, who got away, and put in a very severe left-handed facer. The effect of which was a constant effusion of blood during the combat.— Gregson rather intemperately made one of his tremendous left-handed blows at Crib’s neck, which told only partially. He, however, rallied and knocked down his adversary—2 to 1 on Crib/ 4. A smart rally was commenced by Gregson but Crib had decidedly the best of it, although he received a hard round hit under his ear. Gregson kept following, the other retreating: and this being a mode of fighting which Crib excels in, he dexterously managed, at every retreating step, to put in a left-handed facer, and Gregson’s courage led him on until his face resembled a red mask, and he fell apparently stupefied. 5. Crib, in making play, fell on a blow. 6. This round reduced again the odds, to the original standard—Gregson judged his distance, and a hit which Crib received from his adversary’s left hand was so tremendous, that he was stupefied, and had Gregson’s knowledge been equal to his courage, Crib must have been beaten out of time; but the latter kept getting away, apparently desirous of finishing the round, whilst Gregson followed, and gave away this opportunity of winning the fight, by sparring instead of hitting. Crib, however, retreated to the ropes, and was obliged to sustain another rally to his disadvantage before he could close the round, & he was beat off his legs.—Betting as at setting to. 7. Crib appeared with a hideous temple and head, and Gregson was still bleeding copiouslt from the mouth and nose. They were both hit to a stand-still in a rally. Crib was thrown. 8. Gregson made play, but again ill-judged his distance, and Crib put in his favourite left-handed hit on the sore mouth, and Gregson was so much abroad, that he closed on his adversary, and gave him a casual and heavy cross-buttock.—2 to 1 on Crib. 9. This round showed very unfavourable symptoms, and Gregson’s friends were alive to his distress. His nature caused him angrily to keep following Crib, who was at his game of retreat, and he was punished with facers that rendered it doubtful about his coming again. He was beat into a state of stupidity, and fell on his knees, without the power of getting up alone.—3 to 1 on Crib. 10. In this round it required a good judge to tell which was the more fatigued. Both fell on their knees after an inoffensive rally, and they had a fraternal hug, but nature seemed to have so neglected her functions, that each laid himself down with fatigue. 11. They both appeared shy to recover wind, and, after an irregular close, both fell. 12. Each seemed to have recovered his win, and a most obstinate round ended materially to the advantage of Gregson. At the commencement of the rally a tremendous hit out from Gregson was about an inch or two from distance, or it must have vanquished Crib. Gregson ferociously maintained the rally, and planted two of his hits on Crib’s head and body, which left him again abroad. Crib was ultimately thrown—7 to 4 on Crib. [Nine rounds more were fought with various success, but there was nothing remarkable in them} 22. The combatants raised another rally, and exchanged blows feebly—Crib was knocked or rather bored down, and 10 to 1 was taken that he did not come again. 23. Crib put in two slight blows at meeting, and closing followed again. A trial of strength took place in a wrestle, and Gregson received a heavy fall; he was, however, put again on his second’s knee; but on time being called, he was unable to stand, the fall having seriously injured him. Crib had just animation enough to hear the news. Observations.—In this battle Gregson had sustained quite as much injury as in his former combats with Gulley; and Crib is to all appearances as badly beaten as Gregson; the latter, however, is as perfect a novice at boxing as when he first exhibited. Crib was never sure of beating him until the battle was over; although he was a number of time beaten to a stand-still, yet he recovered his wind at intervals, and maintained the contest with wonderful courage. He proved himself, as before, a very bad judge of his distance. There were some few backed Gregson freely, on the supposition that Crib could not hit hard enough to beat his adversary. The battle lasted 36 minutes. The Duke of York and a number of noblemen were present. Two other matches afterwards took place; one between Young Belcher and Cropley: the other between Dogherty and Powell. Belcher and Dogherty were the victors.
Hereford Journal - Wednesday 02 October 1811 Cribb and Molineux.—On Saturday the long talked of battle, which has excited so much attention in every quater of the kingdom, took place between the rival candidates for Pugilistic fame, at Thistleton Gap, in Wymondham, Leicestershire. At about half-past eleven nearly 15,000 people had assembled in a large stubble-field, on which a 25 feet stage was erected. At twelve the combatants appeared, and at 18 minutes past prepared to set to. Cribb's seconds were Gully and Ward, and the Black's Richmond and Gibbons. The battle laste 19minutes and 10 seconds; fought in 11 rounds, as follows:— Round 1. A right-handed blow told slightly on the body of the Black, who returned it slightly on the head. A rally followed, when the Black was knocked down by a hit on the throat. 2. Cribb showed first blood from the mouth at setting to. A dreadful rally, by mutual consent, was commenced, and Cribb put in a good body hit, with the right hand, when Molineux returned it on the head with the left flush. Closing followed, when Cribb was thorwn in a trial of strength. 3. Cribb's right eye was nearly closed in the last rally, and another here followed of a sanguinary nature, after sparring for wind, in which the Black was deficient. Cribb put i a dreadful doubler on the body of the Black, but although he was hit away, he kept his legs, and renewed the rally with a fury which excited alarm amoung the Coguoscenti. Cribb in the rally hit right and left at the body and head, and the Black fought at the head alone, and wasso succesful with the left hand, that he planted some dexterous flush hits, and Cribb bled at the mouth, and was damaged in both eyes. The rally lasted a minute and a half, and in close Cribb was thrown a heavy fall. The fall evinced the astonishing and superior strength of the Black. He grasped Cribb round the body with one hand; while he supported himself with the other resting on the railing of the stage, and in this position gave him a cross-buttick, throwing him completely over with force upon the stage. To an an ordinary spectator the Black was winning the fight in a hurry. 4. Cribb's head was much disfigured, and the Black s wind was treacherous. The former bled from every organ, but he smiled, renewed the rally with heroism never excelled, and hits in abundance were exchanged, Cribb still fighting at the body-mark with his right hand, and the Black at the head. Cribb fell with a slight hit, and manifest first weakness. 5. Rallying was renewed by Molineux, and the execution on both sides was terrific. The Black had the best of the determined rally, and Cribb fell from a blow, and received another in falling. 6. The Black, fatigued by want of wind, lunged right and left, but he was avoided, and he made a good stop of Cribb's right hand. Cribb put in a destructive right-handed blow at his body mark, which doubled his m up, and he got away pitifully distressed. He appeared frantic on renewing a rally, anxious to go in, but alarmed at the consequences, and he capered about like a dancing master, to the amusement of Cribb and his friends. He hit short, and was abroad, Cribb followed him round the stage and did astonishing execution, and floored him with a blow at great length. 7. Molineux run in on a rally intemperately, and did some execution, but Cribb hit him several blows as violent as can be figered, about the neck and jugular, and after a rally of one minute, the Black fell from hurts and weakness. 8. Molineux in the forlorn hope, again rallied at ill-judged distance, and after Cribb had again nobbed him, he got his head under the left arm, and fibbed until the Black fell. 9. Molineux was dead beat, and only fought to encounter Cribb's death-like blows. In running in, Cribb met him with his left hand, and broke his jaw, and he fell like a log. He did not come to time, but Cribb have away this chance, and went in again and floored his man, after hitting him halfdown and up again. 10. Molineux with difficulty got off his second's knee for fresh punishment, but he made a desperate unsuccessful effort, and fell from distress. 11. This round ended the fight, after Cribb had given away another chance about time, but the Black's sense were hit out of him; and after he had received another knock-down, he was unable again to stand, and victory was announced by Gully and Cribb accompanied by shouts of applause from the populace. After the battle Cribb, accompanied by Gully, set out for the bull on Witham Common; and Molineux, who had laid down on the stage, as soon as he could be removed, proceeded with his friends to the Royal Oak, at Grantham, where he was put to bed. A Surgeon immediately attended, and, upon examining him, it was ascertained that his jaw-bone and two of his ribs are fractured, and that he is in a very dangerous state, the jugular vein being greatly injured. In this battle the Black showed science equal to Cribb, and many felt surprised he was beat so soon; but when we recollect that in the former battle, Crib was far from being in good condition for fighting, and that in the present one he was in the best possible order, the surprise must cease.—Cribb s hits were insupportable to the hardiest frame, and certainly had the Black possessed more courage than it is possible for man to be gifted with, he could not have withstood such muderous hits.—Cribb after the fight observed, he would sooner go through such another combat, than go through another training up the Highlands of Scotland, after his patron and trainer, Captain Barclay. He will benefit 100l. by his victory, but he has solemnly declared that nothing shall ever tempt him to fight another battle. The public, perhaps, are not aware that he is a coal marchant, and carried on business at his house in White Lionsquare. The Black, when at the Coach-and-Horses, in Stamford, on Thursday lat, is said to have declared that "he would kill Cribb if he could." This savage expression has greatly diminished the commiseration which his fate would have otherwise excited.
There's a lot on Cribb, plenty of news reports I haven't written up yet, let alone stuff from Boxiana etc. The big fight between Cribb and Molyneux has it's own thread. I plan on doing a seperate thread on Cribb after the Molyneux fight and title claiments during that period. This thread is still very much a work in progress, but I had a few reports sitting in my computer, so I thought I'd post them. Bareknuckle history meta-thread I'm still researching him, so his isn't really intended for it but Heavyweight Champions from Ancient to Present
This seems quite the waste for general? An oversight I assume? Can a mod put this in classic where it belongs and can be better appreciated
