By: Michael Blackett
John “Jack” Broughton aka The father of Boxing” was born in the small village of Baunton on the outskirts of Cirencester in 1704.
Jacks mother died when he was an infant and as a result of her death his father took to drinking heavily. To make matters worse for Jack he then re-married and his new wife was fond of Gin herself.
At the age of 12, he left home with his sister Rosie who was 10 at the time and call it good luck or fighting spirit but he found work in Bristol as a waterman. This hard work was no doubt responsible for his great strength and endurance. Rose married at 18 and Jack began his career as a fighter by beating a hardened Pro at James Figs travelling booth in Bristol. Figg personally persuaded Jack to move to London and learn his trade at his academy.
Jack took to being a student with ease and learnt quickly. It was noticeable from the onset that he was different from the normal fighters who just used brawn and brute strength. Jack possessed something great fighters always have, a great Boxing brain. Weighing in at 14 stone(196 pounds) and a little under 6 feet, he realized that selective punching was the way forward, he mastered the art of blocking punches and parrying and then he would counter with precision shots. He also had great footwork and a long reach.
When Figg retired, George Taylor took over the mantle of Champion and in 1740 Broughton defeated him and became champion himself. A year later in 1741, Broughton clashed with George Stevenson and as a result of the fight Stevenson Died Shortly after. It affected Broughton and was even at his bedside when Stevenson died at home. He promised he would try and limit these types of injuries and produced a set of Rules and Regulations called “Broughtonsy Rules” these rules stayed in force for nearly 100 years until it was improved upon and renamed the “London Prize Ring” rules.
Another fighter to come across Broughton was the Duke of Cumberland, it was a fight with the short- sword and when the Duke was defeated he helped finance Broughton to open his own Academy, this opened in 1743 as the new rules were introduced. As Broughton began teaching, he realized that the gentry of the time were unwilling to participate in the training as they didn’t want to be bloodied while sparring.
His response to this was to devise the first set of padded gloves called “Mufflers”. These allowed gentlemen to learn the art of Boxing without suffering any external injuries. The fighters at his academy wore them to spar but they were never used in any competitive bouts. At the age of 46 Broughton fought a 29 year old fighter called Jack Slack. For the first few minutes of the fight, the older and much more experienced Broughton, did what he wanted but then the unthinkable happened. He was caught with a “ Sucker Punch” between the eyes. These were the type of punches that Broughton had always been able to avoid and wether it was down to old his age, inactivity or complacency, the punch blinded him and after 14 minutes the fight was over.
The Duke was furious with the result as he had lost £10,000 on a wager, he had the academy closed down soon after and also tried to use his influence as a duke to get the magistrates to outlaw the sport. Broughton turned his once successful academy into a furniture market and even made a decent living, although he was still involved in Promoting Boxing even at the age of 53. Broughton died in 1789 at the age of 84 leaving a vast sum of £7,000 to his family, he is buried in Lambeth churchyard and has the honor of a tablet being laid in Westminster Abbey. It seems strange that it took nearly 200 years to have the words “Champion of England” inscribed on it. This was only done in 1988.
It is believed by many that Jack slack was indeed James Figg’s Grandson.
BROUGTONS RULES=
1. That a square yard be chalked in the middle of the stage; and every fresh set- to after a fall, or being parted from the rails, each second is to bring his man to the side of the square, and place him opposite to the other, and till they are fairly set to at the lines, it shall not be lawful for one to strike the other.
2. That, in order to prevent any disputes, the time a man lies after a fall, if the second does not bring his man to the side of the square within 30 seconds, he shall be deemed a beaten man.
3. That in every main battle, no person whatever shall be upon the stage except the principals and their seconds; the same rule to be observed in by- battles, except that in the latter, Mr Broughton is allowed to be upon the stage to keep decorum, and to assist gentlemen in getting to their places, provided always he does not interfere with the battle; and whoever pretends to infringe these rules to be turned immediately out of the house. Everybody is to quit the stage as soon as the champions are stripped, before set to.
4. That no champion is deemed beaten unless he fails coming up to the line in the limited time; or, that his own second declares him beaten. No second is allowed to ask his man’s adversary any questions, or advise him to give out.
5. That in by – battles, the winning man to have two- thirds of the money given, that shall be publicly divided upon the stage not-withstanding any private agreements to the contrary.
6. That to prevent disputes in every main battle, the principals shall, on the coming on the stage, choose from among the gentlemen present, two umpires, who shall absolutely decide all disputes that may arise about the battle; and if the two umpires cannot agree, the said umpires to choose a third, who is to determine it.
7. That no person is to hit his adversary when he is down, or seize him by the hair, the breeches, or any other part below the waist; a man on his knees to be reckoned down.
*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
