Tom Lyons is considered to have won the Championship of England from Bill Darts in 1769, however Darts appears to have reclaimed it. From Boxiana Bill Darts now went on swimmingly, and kind Fortune had smiled upon him in all his adventures; but Bill was envied, and a Waterman was determined to try if he could not row in the same lucky boat with him. Lyons, therefore, sent him a challenge, to fight at Kingston-upon-Thames, which Bill, upon receiving, was too gay to refuse. The time was appointed, and the set-to commenced. For the first twenty-five minutes the Waterman's scull was knocked about as if it did not belong to him, and the odds were ten to one upon Darts ; but the tide soon turning, the Waterman pulled up at every stroke, and, in the course of twenty minutes afterwards, Darts was completely distanced. This battle afforded considerable amusement to the amateurs ; and both the Pugilists got great praise ; but it does not appear that Lyons fought much after this contest — giving Darts an opportunity of regaining his laurels. From Pugilistica Lyons (champion, 1769) has no mention of his exploits, except his conquest of the heroic Bill Darts, June 27, 1769, for the championship. For twenty-five minutes Darts had it all his own way, and ten to one was laid upon him, when Lyons recovered second wind, and in forty-five minutes wrested the championship from him. The battle took place at Kingston-upon-Thames. No other notable fight is credited to Lyons. From Pancratia On June 27, 1769, Bill Darts, who had long carried on a successful pugilistic career, fought and lost a long- depending battle with Lyons, a waterman, at Kingston, on Thames. Darts for the first half of the battle had a most astonishing advantage, the odds were ten to one in his favour ; Lyons, however, recovered himself, and in 45 minutes severely beat him.
This was done when I was first looking into it, and just starting from what was already out there, if you're interested in where I got to (though it still needs way more research, I think I've taken it as far as I can for now). https://www.boxingforum24.com/threads/black-period-revised-prologue.619807/ My best attempt at reconstructing the lineage (which is probably wrong, but better than sticking with the old one that is certainly wrong). Anyway by my attempt Darts wasn't champion when this fight happened, so Lyons wouldn't have been champion. I'd still be interested if anyone found anything else on this guy, I have looked, but haven't found anything.
