Boxer. Born in Nottingham, England, he was a British bare-knuckle fighter dubbed the "Nottingham Jester". To raise money for his family, he fought his first boxing match at age 18 against the champion of the nearby town of Bingham, winning the brawl after 59 rounds. Bare-knuckle fighting become his main occupation and by the age of 21, he had successfully defeated a number of top contenders in fights lasting up to 96 rounds. In 1835, he became Champion of all England and in 1939, he defended his championship beating the fearsome James Burke in a match which only lasted a half an hour. Over the ten years he never stepped down from a challenge defeating over 20 opponents. In his last fight on June 5, 1850, against the young hard fighter Tom Paddock, he won in the 49th round and stepped down undefeated as Champion, with two prize belts and four Silver Cups to his name. A well-respected world famous boxer of his time, in retirement he became a Methodist Evangelist Preacher. He died at age 69 in Beeston, England and was posthumously inducted into the Boxing Hall of Fame in 1955.
Boxer. Born in Nottingham, England, he was a British bare-knuckle fighter dubbed the "Nottingham Jester". To raise money for his family, he fought his first boxing match at age 18 against the champion of the nearby town of Bingham, winning the brawl after 59 rounds. Bare-knuckle fighting become his main occupation and by the age of 21, he had successfully defeated a number of top contenders in fights lasting up to 96 rounds. In 1835, he became Champion of all England and in 1939, he defended his championship beating the fearsome James Burke in a match which only lasted a half an hour. Over the ten years he never stepped down from a challenge defeating over 20 opponents. In his last fight on June 5, 1850, against the young hard fighter Tom Paddock, he won in the 49th round and stepped down undefeated as Champion, with two prize belts and four Silver Cups to his name. A well-respected world famous boxer of his time, in retirement he became a Methodist Evangelist Preacher. He died at age 69 in Beeston, England and was posthumously inducted into the Boxing Hall of Fame in 1955.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
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