By: Michael Blackett
Jewish fighters were once the dominant force in professional boxing. They were ranked the number one nationality in front of the Italians and Irish in America during the late 1920’s. In an age long forgotten when gloved boxing had only 8 weight divisions and 8 World champions, there were 26 Jewish champions from 1910-1940. Even though many Jews followed academic careers in later years there has always been a great selection of Jewish championship boxers, including promoters and managers.
However long before these great times Daniel Mendoza made his mark in the sport of Bareknuckle fighting and was perhaps one of the first scientific Boxers.
Growing up in the east end of London where” Jew baiting” was a way for bullies to get their kicks against the normally gentile race Dan fought back with his fists. His parents are believed to have come from Spanish Nobility and were Artisans; he had a Jewish education and more often than not got into fights defending his religion and upbringing. Like young traveling men today, boxing was an outlet for some Jewish youngsters and as such many followed in Dan’s shoes.
Daniel Mendoza was born in Whitechapel, England on July 5th 1764
It wasn’t long before his name was known in his area for his fighting abilities alas at this stage of his career he fought with more brawns than brain; however when he was spotted in an early fight by Richard Humphries, his raw talent shone through and his life was about to change. Humphries himself was a pugilist known as the “Gentleman Boxer” and he offered his services as a trainer and also as a second to work his corner for him. Dan had his first paid fight against a burly coalheaver and proved his heart for the sport by defeating the much heavier man in 40 minutes and winning 5 Guineas in doing so.
Mendoza is perhaps responsible for changing the public’s attitude to the Jewish community as he was the first fighter to receive a Royal Patronage which was from the Prince of Wales. This gave him great pride and he started calling himself” Mendoza the Jew”, without fear of ridicule or retribution.
As Dan was only 5 feet 7 inches and weighed around 160 pounds, he often fought men much heavier and taller than himself and this made him rely on skills which hadn’t really been seen before. He was perhaps the first Bareknuckle fighter to use great defensive skills which allowed him to fight much heavier men. He used blocks, ducking and sidestepping then hitting with a straight left to even the odds and to avoid getting caught and he also became the first middleweight fighter to win the heavyweight title.
Dans second fight was against Sam Martin aka “The Bath Butcher” for 25 Guineas and he was the victor in 20 minutes. This fight was fought at the Barnet Racecourse and on his return to London such was his notoriety that he claimed the championship of England. It’s reported that his fans lit candles and sung songs in his honor on his return home. The bouts that Mendoza is more noted for is his trilogy of fights with his onetime trainer and corner man Richard Humphries (BELOW)
Their first bout was fought on January 9th, 1788 and after 15 minutes Mendoza lost for the first time in his career and the rematch was set for May 6th, 1789. Mendoza obviously used his great boxing brain which he possessed to defeat Humphries in their second bout in which 3000 people turned up to watch including many Jews who wanted to see Mendoza seek revenge. Their last contest was held on September 29th 1790,the fight took place in Doncaster in a barn and this fight was the first ever event where spectators had to pay through a gate for admission. This obviously earned the fighters more money and the gate money is a term still used today in gloved boxing. Mendoza once again beat Humphries by using superior footwork and skill.
Mendoza’s biggest fight came in 1794when he fought Bill Warr, at Bexley Common and with a win he became the Heavyweight World Champion. It was however short lived as he lost his next fight against John “Gentleman” Jackson in 1795 who was over 40 lbs. heavier and taller by 4 inches. The fight was over in 9 rounds as Mendoza was grabbed by the hair and punched repetitively until he was beaten almost to the state of unconsciousness.
The only thing banned was the hitting of a downed opponent or any wrestling below the waist. Everything else – hair-pulling, grappling above the waist, wrestling or tripping your opponent to the ground, and, of course, striking with the bare fists – was allowed. He retired from fighting after losing his title and spent his time and money writing his memoirs and also tried his hand touring giving boxing lessons. He also worked as a recruitment sergeant for the army and wrote books on the noble art.
This picture above shows one of the fights between Mendoza and Humphries, the text below is quoted from Mendoza’s book ,”The Modern Art of Boxing 1789.”
*The position of the body, which should be an inclining posture, or diagonal line, so as to place the pit of the stomach out of your adversary’s reach. The upper part of your arm must stop or parry the round blow at the head; the fore-arm, the blows at the face of stomach; and the elbows, those at the ribs: both knees must be bent, the left leg advanced, and the arms directly before your throat or chin.
Sadly he came out of retirement well past his best and lost to Tom Owen in 12 rounds. As with a lot of historical accounts there are often contradictions, some say his fight with Owen was his last and others say he lost to Harry Lee. Various sources quote that he died at the age of 70, 72 or 73 but whichever is true he died without a penny leaving his faithful wife in debt. It’s also alleged he served 4 years in prison for debts he has amassed.
He was buried in the Nuovo Sephardi cemetery, located in the grounds of Queen Marys College, mile end.( Picture below).
Regardless on his failings in later life he was responsible for lots of other Jewish fighters to follow him in his footsteps in the ring, into management and also promoters for years to come and for his scientific approach to fighting to be used as a blueprint by the next generation of fighters. The first boxing historian Pierce Egan said that he was “a complete artist”
An example of just one of the commemorative items made to celebrate the fights of Mendoza and Humphries. (Below)
In 2008, in London, a bronze plaque was unveiled “commemorating the life and achievements” of Mendoza at the site of his burial.
Mendoza was inaugurated into the Boxing Hall of Fame in 1954.
In 1990 he was inducted into the inaugural class of the International Boxing Hall of Fame.
*If anyone is interested in reading more on the origins of bare knuckle boxing, here is a link to Michael Blackett’s site- THE HISTORY OF BAREKNUCKLE BOXING
