English Champions: William "Bill" Stevens "The Nailer"

William Stevens is considered to have been Champion of England from 1760, when he beat Jack Slack, until 1761 when he lost the title to George Meggs, by throwing the fight.

From Boxiana
BILL STEVENS— The Nailer. A most tremendous Boxer, and, at one period of his life, beat all before him — who also conquered the famous Slack; and, from his skill and uncommon strength, might, in all probability, have retained the title of Champion till he had made his grand exit off the stage, or, at least, for a considerable number of years; but want of principle blighted his prospects, and ruined his character as a Pugilist. His conquests, at one time, it is said, were so numerous, that he sat down, like the great Alexander, weeping that he had no more heroes to overcome ! But gold, powerful gold, seduced him from his honesty ; and ever afterwards, as he most justly deserved to be, was without a friend or patron to back him. However, notwithstanding all his failings, Stevens was considered a most desperate punisher; and whenever inclination prompted him so to do, he could serve it out in the first style of finished excellence ! His Championship was but of short duration, owing to his treachery.

Stevens fought a terrible battle in 1760, against one Jacob Taplin, a coal-heaver, in Mary-le-bone- Fields. The spectators were exceedingly numerous from the bottom characters of the combatants. At the commencement of the fight, the Coal-heaver gave Stevens repeatedly knock-down blows, which raised the odds upon Taplin; but Stevens, recovering from the powerful blows of his antagonist, and finding he had not much time to lose, put in a most desperate body-blow, which brought Taplin down, and followed it up by several other violent hits. The odds now changed five to one upon the Nailer, and the contest was soon decided in his favour. This battle raised his fame, and it was but a few months after this time, when he fought Slack, the Champion — and added more laurels to his brow.

In less than twelve months, after his name had become almost a terror to Pugilists, by his beating the Champion, he entered the lists with George Meggs, a Bristol collier, for 200 guineas, at the Tennis-court, James street. Stevens scarcely knew how to make a fight of it— and let Meggs drive him about as he pleased ; and after seventeen minutes in humbugging the spectators — Stevens gave in. The sporting men were properly swindled upon this occasion; and the Nailer had the impudence to acknowledge soon after, that he was tipped handsomely to lose the battle, and that he had gained more by so doing— exclaiming, at the same time, " that he was as good a man as ever !" The Nailers and Blacksmiths of the Metropolis were finely spoke to by the loss of this battle, as they had' backed the man of iron, from his former stanch character, for considerable sums. It is said, that a celebrated engraving, now extant, of a blacksmith's shop where the Nailer had worked, the men of which had sported their little cash upon his head, was taken from their hearing he had lost the battle !
" I saw s smith Stand with his hammer, thus, The whilst his iron did on the anvil cool, With open mouth, swallowing a tailor's news ; Who, with his sheers and measure in his hand, Standing on slippers, which his nimble haste Had falsely thrust upon contrary feet."
The fights of the Nailer, after the above circumstance, cannot prove interesting, as he had grossly forfeited all pretensions to honour: — Stevens beat an Irish pugilist of the name of M'Guire, behind Montague-house; and was defeated in a battle with one Turner. The Nailers last battle of any consequence was with the noted Sellers, (the conqueror of Peter Corcoran, of pugilistic celebrity,) in which Stevens stood no chance with Sellers ; eighteen years having elapsed since he fought Slack, his powers, of course, were considerably on the decline, as a pugilist.

From Pugilistica
Ten years had now elapsed since Slack had vanquished the renowned Broughton, and held the title of champion but the honour was dazzling, and another hero put in his claim for the towering prize. Slack's fame was well established; and here royalty once more appeared on the pugilistic scene ; for Broughton's old patron, the Duke of Cumberland, stepped forward and backed Slack for 100 against Bill Stevens, the Nailer, whom the Duke of York took under his patronage. The Haymarket was the scene of action, and a stage was erected in the Tennis Court, James Street, on the day of the 17th of June, 1760. Slack entered the field with all the confidence of a veteran, and was acknowledged to have the advantage in the first part of the battle ; but the Nailer, with an arm like iron, received the ponderous blows of his antagonist on his left with ease, while with his right arm he so punished the champion's nob, that he knocked off the title, picked it up, and wore it. Thus fell the hitherto invincible Slack.

This second great mistake of William of Cumberland seems to have disgusted him with the ring, and we hear no more of him. The Duke of York here spoken of was one of the uncles of George III., whose father, Frederick, Prince of Wales, died in George II.'s lifetime.

Slack now quitted the pugilistic profession, and returned to his old trade, opening a butcher's shop in Chandos Street, Covent Garden. Here he carried on a good business, but still mixed himself in fistic matters. He backed and trained George Meggs, of whom more anon, to fight Bill Stevens, his conqueror, for the championship and 200 guineas. The fight came off on the 2nd of March, 1761, at the Tennis Court, St. James' Street. The reporter says, "At the first onset Stevens missed his blow, and Meggs struck him that instant on the side of the head and knocked him down. This error seems to have lost him the battle. After this the battle lasted seventeen minutes, with scarcely a blow struck, when Stevens gave in." We regret to say that this disgraceful affair was clearly traced to Slack, who gave Stevens 50 guineas and his stake. " Pancratia" says: "An old supporter of Stevens, meeting him one day, expressed his surprise at this defeat, when Bill drily answered him, ' Why, Lord bless you, the day I fought Jack Slack I got 90 guineas ; but I got 50 guineas more than I should otherwise have done by letting Georgy beat me ; and, damme, ain't I the same man still?" The Nailer and Slack both fell into disrepute; but the latter stuck to hia business, and appears to have prospered until his death in 1778.

THIS tremendous boxer, whose courage found no counterpart in his honesty, will aptly come in here. It would be tedious, could they even be dug up, to give an outline of his many battles before his crowning victory over Slack, with the exception of one, that with Jacob Taplin, the coalheaver.

The winter of 1760 was rendered memorable in the annals of pugilism by a desperately contested battle, "fought in the month of February between William Stevens the Nailer and Jacob Taplin. The site fixed on for deciding the boxing match was the hollow known as Marylebone Basin, which held about 3,000 spectators. A ring was formed in its centre, and the champions commenced the combat. Taplin in the first rounds seemed to have much the best of the Nailer, who received some tremendous blows in the 'bread-basket,' which had several times knocked him down. The last time Stevens seemed to rise with the fury of a lion roused from slowness and placidity into excessive irritation. He faced his antagonist and let fly, levelling him at his feet. The odds, which had been in favour of Taplin, now became four to one on Stevens. In the next round he repeated his knock-down by a tremendous blow below the left breast. When Taplin rose next time, he closed on him suddenly and both fell. The next round decided the battle in favour ofStevens, who struck Taplin on the left eye with his left hand, while with the other he followed it by a blow on the temple, which laid him senseless. Taplin not being prepared in time to resume the contest, Stevens was declared the victor." Daily Advertiser, Feb. 20, 1760.

And now the fame of Stevens running abroad he received the highest patronage and was matched for 100 guineas aside against the veteran champion Slack. The result has been already told. He disabled Slack's guard by repeated and heavy blows on his left forearm, and followed them by a right hand lunge at the head, accompanied by a trip at his left foot, which disturbed the champion's balance. In the words of the report, "he with his right hand beat him about the head, while at the same time tripping him off his centre with his foot." The champion's title fell to Stevens, but he did not long wear it, through his own misconduct. The battle, or rather sham fight at the Tennis Court with George Meggs, the collier, has been already noticed. Stevens, after seventeen minutes of trickery, scarcely knowing how to make a fight of it, gave in.

Stevens' later fights were few. His backers had, of course, deserted him. On July 4, 1769, we find as follows: "William Stevens, the Nailer, who dexterously played the cross with George Meggs, fought a battle with M'Guire, an Irish pugilist, on the green stage at the back of Montague House. M'Guire was beaten."

Stevens was also defeated by one Turner, but the date and circumstances are not recorded. We learn this fact from the account of Turner's victory over Peter Corcoran, the Irish champion (Sept. 24, 1769).

Stevens' career closed in defeat and disgrace. Eighteen years after his victory over Slack, he entered the ring with the rising Harry Sellers (see SELLERS, post). Stevens added another illustration to the ring proverb "Youth will be served." Had Stevens kept the straight course, he might have emulated Taylor, Broughton, and Slack. The date of his death is uncertain.

 

From Pancratia
In the annals of pugilism, the winter of 1766 was rendered memorable, by a severely contested battle fought in the month of February, between William Stephens, a nailer, and one Jacob Taplin, a coal-heaver. The scite fixed on for deciding this boxing match, was a hollow called Marybone-bason, which held about 3000 spectators. A ring was formed in the centre, and the champions commenced the com bat. Taplin for several first rounds had much the best of the nailer, who had received some tremendous blows in the bread basket, which had several times knocked him down ; the last time, Stevens rose with all the fury of a lion, roused by excessive irritation from a former state of placidity, and in stantly laid his adversary at his feet; odds which be fore had been in favour of the coal-heaver, were now five to one on Stevens's head; the next round he again brought down his opponent by a tremendous blow on the left breast; when Taplin rose they suddenly closed and both fell ; the next round decided the battle in favour of Stevens, who struck Taplin over the left eye with one hand, and with the other struck him senseless by a blow on the temple. Taplin not being prepared to continue the contest, Stevens was declared the victor.
. . .
On the 17th of June, 1760, a battle for .£100 a side, which had been long expected, and on which great sums were depending, was fought between Slack and Bill Stevens, the nailer — the former pa tronised by the Duke of Cumberland, and the latter by the Duke of York. A stage was erected at the Tennis-court, James-street, Haymarket, and at first setting to, Slack was thought to have the advantage; Stevens, however, by well parrying the blows of his opponent, and frequently striking his right arm with his left fist, while with his right hand he beat him about the head, at the same time tripping him off his centre with his foot, he completely vanquished Slack, who hitherto had proved unconquerable.
March 2, 1761, a boxing match was decided at the Tennis-court, in James-street, between Bill Ste vens and George Meggs, a collier, from Bristol, for 200 guineas ; at the first onset, Stevens missed his blow, and this one error seems to have lost him the day, and his future fame ; Meggs struck him that instant on the side of the head, and knocked him down ; after this the battle lasted 17 minutes, but there was scarcely a blow struck, when Stevens gave in. Slack, who now kept a butcher's shop in Chandos street, had tutored Meggs, and prepared him for the battle, notwithstanding which, he would not have beat, had he not given Stevens 50 guineas for that purpose.
An old supporter of Stevens, meeting him one day, expressed his surprise for this defeat, when Bill very dryly answered him, “Why Lord bless you, the day I fought Jack Slack, I got 90 guineas; but I got 50 more than I should otherwise have done by letting GEORGY beat me, and DAM’ME an’t I the same man still.” So bare-faced a CROSS disgusted the amateurs, and the nailer lost his best friends; he fought afterwards, but never was backed, not being worthy of dependance.
. . .
In the Summer of 1778, Sellers fought Bill Stevens, the nailer, for £25, in which he was also victorious.

 

Thanks again to Senya for the ones on Stevens and Slack.
The Public Ledger Wednesday, January 16, 1760.
The old Broughtonian spirit, or manly exercise of boxing, is not yet extinct amongst us, since a bloody and desperate battle was fought yesterday in the fields, near Marybone, between one Stephens, a nailor, and one Swafford, a butcher, which lasted about fifteen minutes, and ended in favour of the former. A press-gang. Who attended, secured several useful hands, who, possibly, may be of more service to their country than being idle spectators at a boxing match.

Derby Mercury - 15-22 February 1760 (page 2)
Tuesday was fought in the Fields, near Mary-le-Bon, a most severe Battle, between Stephens, a famous Boxer, by Trade a Nailer, and one Taplin, a Carman, in whose Favour the Odds ran Three to One; the Fight was managed with great Skill and Dexterity on both Sides for about 12 Minutes, when Victory at length declared for the Nailer, to the no small Mortification of the knowing ones. Taplin had two of his Ribs broke, and received so many Bruises that it is though he can not recover. It is computed not less than 10,000 Persons were present.

Derby Mercury 15-22 February 1760 (page 2)
Taplin the Carman, who fought the desperate Battle with the Naylor the other Day, in Marybone Fields, is since dead of his Bruises.

1760-05-17 The Newcastle Courant (page 1)
LONDON, May 8.
We hear that the Nailer, the noted Bruiser, flushed with the Success he has already obtained, has, at the Request of some Gentlemen, sent a formal Challenge to Mr. Slack, now settled at Bristol, to meet and fight for any Sum.

1760-05-31 London Evening Post (page 3)
Yesterday, at the Tennis-Court near the Haymarket, after three bye Battles (one of which those versed in the Science deemed a remarkable good one) the Heroes, Slack and Stevens the Nailor, mounted the Stage; On their first Appearance, the Odds were twenty to one on Slack's Head; but in three Minutes the Nailor proved Conqueror, to the great Disappointment and Loss of the not Knowing Ones. This Battle, it is thought, may occasion, if the Civil Power permit, two more; one between the Heroes themselvea, and the other between their Seconds.

1760-05-31 London Evening Post (page 3)
Yesterday, at the Tennis-Court near the Haymarket, after three bye Battles (one of which those versed in the Science deemed a remarkable good one) the Heroes, Slack and Stevens the Nailor, mounted the Stage; On their first Appearance, the Odds were twenty to one on Slack's Head; but in three Minutes the Nailor proved Conqueror, to the great Disappointment and Loss of the not Knowing Ones. This Battle, it is thought, may occasion, if the Civil Power permit, two more; one between the Heroes themselvea, and the other between their Seconds.

1760-06-03 The Leedes Intelligencer (page 2)
LONDON, May 29.
The Heroes of the Fist are likely to come into Play again. Hero Slack is matched for a considerable Sum against Stevenson the Nailer, to fight on Monday next at the Tennis-Court in James-street, near the Hay-market. If the latter should hit the right Nail on the Head, that no Doubt will occasion a second Trial of Skill, in which Butcher must come off victorious; This will be productive of a third Combat; the Event of which none knows, except those in the Secret.


1760-06-06 The Derby Mercury (page 1)
LONDON, June 5.
on Monday the famous Battle was fought between Slack and Stephens, the Nailer, at the Tennis-Court in James-Street, Haymarket, at which were present several Noblemen and Persons of Distinction. The Combatants had only three Bouts; in the first Slack struck his Antagonist a violent Blow on the Side of his Head; at the second, Stephens hit Slack under the short Ribs, and gave him a desperate Fall; and finally pursuing his Advantage, gave him so dreadful a Blow on his Stomach, that he lay for some Time senseless on the Stage, and was obliged, after about three Minutes and a half Contest, to submit to the superior Strength of his Adversary. The Streets were crowded with Spectators to see the Combatants pass and repass.

We hear that upwards of 10,000l. has been won and lost by the last Battle between Slack and the Nailer.

It is said that Slack very kindly advised the Nailer to make his Will, and get his Coffin ready, for he had but a short Time to live. Great Men like others are sometimes mistaken.

Derby Mercury - Friday 27 February 1761
This Day at Noon, the Match between Maggs and the Nailor was fought at the Tennis Court in James Street, near the Hay Market. The Odds at first were greatly for the Nailor, but it was decided in favour of the former, who obtained the Victory over his Antagonist

Bath Chronicle and Weekly Gazette - Thursday 05 March 1761
Monday last the Trial of Skill between George Maggs, of Pensford in this County, and Stephens the Nailer, was decided at the Tennis-Court in St. James-Street, near the Hay-Market, London. There were assembled the greatest Concourse of Nobility, Gentry, &c/ ever known on the like Occation. The Champions mounted the Stage between Twelve and One. At first setting to, Maggs struck the Nailer down; afterwards the Nailer knocked him down twice; and for ten Minutes he seemed to have the Advantage: However, the heroic Maggs, by his great Skill, uncommon Strength, unequal'd Courage, and matchless Agility, soon changed the Scene; struck the Nailer down six Times successively; and finally stript him of all Laurels he had acquired by his many former Victories.--- Smallwood was Second to Maggs, and Faulkner to Stephens.---
According to the most exact Accounts, the Battle lasted just seventeen Minutes and a half.
A certain Royal Personage was present, and won large Sums. 'Tis said upward of 50,000l. depended on the Issue of this Battle: One Nobleman lost above 2000l.
We hear that Maggs and the Nailer were weighed a few Days before they fought; and that there were only five Pounds Difference, which was in Maggs favour.

Oxford Journal - Saturday 07 March 1761
Monday the tryal of Skill between the Nailor (who so easily beat Slack some Time since) and Maggs from Bristol, was dtermined at the Tennis-Court in James-street, by the Hay-market, before several People of Distinction, and a great Number of Spectators ; when Maggs in about eight-teen Minutes and a half, tore the Laurels from the Brow of the most powerful Nailor, and gained to himself, the Honour of being the Champion amoungst the Broughtonians.
'Tis said several Knowing Ones were out of the Secret

Derby Mercury - Friday 01 January 1762
Yesterday a Bruising Match was fought near Strutton-Grounds, Westminisrerm between Stevens, a Nailer, and his Brother, against one Carrits and his Brother, when the Nailer beat his Antagonist, but the Brother of the Nailer was beaten. It was a very hard Battle on both Sides; and Smallwood and the Nailer's Second having differ'd, the two Seconds fought, and Smallwood was beat in two Minutes

Bath Chronicle and Weekly Gazette - Thursday 10 June 1762
The Battle which was to have been fought Yesterday between the noted Stephens The Nail, and Turner the Coach-Spring Maker, at the Repository on Saffron-Hill, for 100l. each was put a Stop by the Activity of Mr Justice Welch, being contrary to a late Act which suppressed these Meetings, as only Nurserier for Thieves, &c. The Odds were greatly in Favour of the Coach Spring Maker against the Nailer

Bath Chronicle and Weekly Gazette - Thursday 06 August 1767
A boxing match for several considerable sums of money, is to be fought one day this week, between Stevens the nailer and Dart the dyer, at Colnbrook, if not prevented by the magistrates.

Oxford Journal - Saturday 22 August 1767
Yesterday a Battle was fought between Stephens the Nailor and Dart the Dyer, in a Booth which was erected for that purpose in four Hours, at a Plac called Pyle, near Colnbrook, for a considerable Sum of Money : Notwithstanding the Nailor was knocked down the first Blow, the Dyer gaver out in a few Minutes, and so the Hum ended.

Leeds Intelligencer - Tuesday 25 August 1767
Yesterday a severe battle was fought at Colnbrook, between the noted Dyer and the Naylor, on which upwards of 1000l. were depending. The odds, at first, were six to one in favour of the Dyer; but, after a contest of fifteen minutes, the Naylor came off conqueror, by which the knowing-ones were greatly taken in.

Bath Chronicle and Weekly Gazette - Thursday 22 June 1769
On Monday the great bruising-match between Stevens, the Nailer, and George Milsom, a collier of Kingswood, was fought at the Riding-school in Bristol. the battle lasted about seven minutes, when victory declared for the latter. - It is thought there were present near 400 persons, and the box collection was very considerable, as great numbers paid 2s. 6d. for their admission. The betts were in favour of the Nailor till a few hours before the combat, when six to four were laid on Milsom's side, who was the favourite of the knowing-ones.- The noted Darch, who lately beat Parsitt Maggs, was second to Milsom ; and George Maggs, the present hero of England, was second to the Nailer. - Immediately after the battle, Darch challenged George Maggs to fight him for 100 guineas and the door collection ; but it is said that Maggs made no reply

 

Oxford Journal - Saturday 24 June 1769
On Monday last a long depending Battle was fought at the Circular Stables in this City, between the noted William Stevens, the Nailor, and George Milsom, a Collier, of Kingswood, for Fifty Pounds a Side, where the Knowing Ones were taken in. It is supposed there were ten thousand Persons present; amoung whom were two Noblemen, and several of the principal Gentlemen of the neighbouring Countis, as well as from Wales. The Champions mounted the Stafe a little before Eight in the Evening, and fought between six and seven Minutes, when Victory was declared in Favour of Milsom

Oxford Journal - Saturday 05 September 1778
Yesterday a great Boxing-Match was fought on a Stage erected for that Purpose on Hounslow-Heath, between the celebrated Stevens, a Nailor, and Sellers, the Sawyer; when after two or three Rounds, Victory decleared in Favour of the latter. The Odds, two to one on the Victor. After this a very desperate Battle was fought for thirty Minutes between two Pupils of the First, which proved as severe a Contest as has been known for some Time. Not a Shock-Head within twenty Miles of London but was present on the above Occasion.

I have some doubts about the tradional story which centers of Stevens. That of him, having won the Championship from Slack, throwing the fight against Meggs, and falling into disgrace having admitted that. I am not saying that it is not, true, I do not think the evidence presented thus far is nearly enough for definitive conclusions, just that the reports raise some eyebrows.

Firstly, that his fight with Meggs, descibed in Boxiana as "Of no particular note as a Pugilist", yet it seems an oddly large event, featuring large bets, the presence of noblemen, and even a weigh in. The fight with Millsom is even more interesting to me; his loss to Millsom flies in the face of him being described as far better than the boxers such as him and Meggs, this of course does not mean he could not have still thrown the fight. Another point is the accounts of these later fights do not fit with him as the disgraced pugilist. I also find it odd the way he is dismissed for throwing a fight, I do not know of this attitude being taken with any other historical boxers for throwing a fight.

Whatever the case, more research is needed on the Nailer, especially for more earlier and later fights, and hopefully this may bring some answers to the questions I have.

Heavyweight Champions from Ancient to Present