Historic Newspapers: Boxing
We sell original, historic newspapers featuring coverage of some of the great moments in the sport of boxing. Whether it is called boxing, prize-fighting, pugilism, or by some other name, the engagement of two people in a contest of strength, quickness, endurance, etc., using either gloved or bare hands, has captured the imagination of onlookers and participants since the beginning of time. Finding reports of such encounters within newspapers dates back into the 18th century. John Jackson vs. Daniel Mendoza, Jim Jeffries vs. Jim Corbett, Joe Louis vs. Max Schmeling, Joe Frazier vs Muhammad Ali, and more... enjoy the following authentic reports spanning 3 centuries:
Found 321 Results
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Item #570683NEW YORK TIMES, New York, August 31, 1867 The frontpage of this issue contains a small article announcing "The McCool and Jones Prize Fight". "It is understood that the fight between Mike McCool and Aaron Jones for the championship of the United States will take place somewhere in Butler county, Ohio... The fight... Read full description -
Item #717971THE NEW YORK HERALD, June 16, 1869
* Early boxing - Pugilism - pugilists
* Heavyweight bare-knuckle fight
* Boxers Tom Allen vs. Bill Davis
* Post Civil War reconstruction era
Page 10 has an article headed: "THE PRIZE RING" "Fight Between Tom Allen and Bill Davis for $2,000" and more. (see images) Text takes up... Read full description -
Item #599794THE NEW YORK HERALD, December 1, 1871
* Jem Mace vs. Joe Coburn
* Middleweight boxing championship
* Bare-knuckle fighting
Page 3 has one column headings: "THE PRIZE RING" "Result of the Mill Between Mace and Coburn" "Fighting In The Rain" "Mace Breaks His Hand Early in the Struggle" "Sketches Of The... Read full description -
Item #685007NEW YORK HERALD, Sept. 5, 1872
* Arthur Chambers vs. Billy Edwards
* Lightweight boxing championship
Nearly half of page 4 is taken up with the notable lightweight boxing match between Arthur Chambers and Billy Edwards.
First column heads include: "THE LIGHT WEIGHTS" "The Fistic Battle... Read full description -
Item #602383EVANSVILLE DAILY JOURNAL, Evansville, Indiana, October 27, 1873
* John C. Heenan death
* Bare Knuckle boxing
This uncommon title has news of the day with several interesting advertisements.
The front page has one column headings: "Utah" "Death of John C. Heenan, the Prize Fighter". See image for text.
Complete in 8 pages, minor spine wear,... Read full description -
Item #669328THE NEW YORK HERALD, Nov. 3, 1873
* John C. Heenan death funeral
* Bare Knuckle boxing - boxer
Page 8 has an article headed: "The Heenan Obsequies" "Funeral Ceremonies of America's Favorite Boxer..." (see)
Complete with 12 pages, nice condition. -
Item #173998HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, January 8, 1876 The front full page Thomas Nast illustration of "Calling On Miss Columbia - New Year's Day, 1876." Inside is a full page illustration of "The Centennial Banquet in Horticultural Hall, Philadelphia, December 18, 1875." Full page Nast illustration of "In My Mind's Eye." Full... Read full description -
Item #576463THE NEW YORK HERALD, September 8, 1876
* Early heavyweight boxing title fight
* Joe Goss vs. Tom Allen
* Great Sioux War of 1876-77 - Indians
Page 3 has: "P. R.", "Fight for the Championship of the World", "Goss Beats Allen on a Foul", "Twenty-One Rounds Fought in 1h. 52m.", "Pistol Firing... Read full description -
Item #600383THE CLEVELAND LEADER, Cleveland, Ohio, July 3, 1878
* 19th century boxing
* John King vs. John Reilly
This uncommon 8 page issue has news of the with several interesting advertisements throughout.
Page 3 has small one column headings: "Humanity Outraged" "A Brutal Contest in New York Between Two P.R. Roughs--Shocking Scenes". See... Read full description -
Item #605316THE NEW YORK TIMES, March 2, 1883
* Boxing - boxer
* James Elliott murder
* Jerry Dunn
The front page has one column headings: "A PRIZE-FIGHTER KILLED" "James Elliott Murdered By Jerry Dunn" and more. See images for text. Nice to have in this venerable newspaper title.
Other news of the day throughout. Complete in 8 pages, light browning,... Read full description -
Item #693073THE EVENING NEWS, Detroit, June 12, 1883
* John L. Sullivan wanted by police
* "Boston Strong Boy" spousal abuse
* Heavyweight bare knuckle boxing champion
The front page has an article headed: "'Knocked Out' In One Round" "Prof. Sullivan's Latest Achievements" (see) Reports the famous boxer who is... Read full description -
Item #705677ST. LOUIS GLOBE-DEMOCRAT, Aug. 7, 1883
* Ford Brothers - Charlie
* Jesse James assassination
* John L. Sullivan boxing
The front page has over a full column taken up with considerable round-by-round details of the boxing match between John L. Sullivan and Herbert "Maori" Slade for the heavyweight championship.
But... Read full description -
Item #676086THE WHEELING INTELLIGENCER, West Virginia, March 6, 1886
* James Sheady death
* Boxer - boxing
The front page has small one column headings: "Brutal Prize Fight" "Near Fayetteville, West Virginia, Which Ends in Murder" See images for text here.
Other news and advertisements of the day. Complete in 4 pages, large sized paper measuring... Read full description -
Item #603616THE WHEELING INTELLIGENCER, West Virginia, March 15, 1886
* Nonpareil Dempsey (Jack Dempsey)
* Early boxing match - pugilists
* Railroad train robbery
The front page has a small one column heading: "Witness a Hard Fought Battle Between Dempsey and Lablanche"
Also on the front page is: "Daring Express Robbery" "And Murder on the Chicago,... Read full description -
Item #604789THE DETROIT FREE PRESS, Detroit, Michigan, March 15, 1886
* Nonpareil Dempsey (Jack Dempsey)
* Early boxing match - pugilists
The front page has one column headings: "Dempsey Downs La Blanche" "A Fight to a Finish by the Middle-Weight Champions" "Thirteen Desperately Contested Rounds" and more.
Other news and advertisements of... Read full description -
Item #603560THE WHEELING INTELLIGENCER, Wheeling, West Virginia, November 15, 1886
* John L. Sullivan
* Paddy Ryan
* Boxing
The front page has one column headings: "Ryan Knocked Out" "By the Burly Boston Boy in Three Rattling Rounds". See images for text.
Other news and advertisements of the day. Complete in 4 pages, large sized paper... Read full description -
Item #603529THE WHEELING INTELLIGENCER, West Virginia, November 23, 1886
* Dominick McCaffrey vs. James "Sparrow" Golden
* Bare knuckle boxing - fight
The front page has one column headings: "FIERCE FIGHTING" "Between Noted Pugilists" and more.
Other news and advertisements of the day. Complete in 4 pages, large sized paper measuring 25 x 19... Read full description -
Item #175152HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, January 15, 1887 Front full pg. illus. pertaining to the poem "Crotalus", along with the entire text of the poem. Inside is a full pg. illus. of "The Old Bone Man of the Plains." Full pg. illus. of "Pima Indians Convoying a Silver Train in Mexico."
... Read full description -
Item #585489THE CLEVELAND LEADER, Ohio, April 5, 1887
* John L. Sullivan
* Heavyweight boxing
Column three of the front page has headlines that include: "GROVER AND JOHN L." and "The Champion Prize Fighter Pays His Respects to President Cleveland".
Coverage on heavyweight boxer John L. Sullivan's visit to the White House to meet... Read full description -
Item #615029THE DAILY PICAYUNE, New Orleans, April 1, 1889
* Featherweight boxing championship
* Kouts, Porter County, Indiana
* Ike Weir "The Belfast Spider"
This uncommon title from the deep South has news of the day with many advertisements. The front page has an article headed: "EIGHTY ROUNDS" "An Indecisive Battle for the... Read full description -
Item #592404THE WHEELING INTELLIGENCER, Wheeling, West Virginia, October 17, 1889
* John L. Sullivan
* Heavyweight boxing
The front page has one column headlines on the front page: "SULLIVAN IRRITATED", "At the Talk of His Enemies and Wants a Fight", "And He Wants It Right Soon", "He is Ready to Accommodate Anybody... Read full description -
Item #175562HARPER'S WEEKLY, December 20, 1890 Very nice full page: 'The City of Cumberland, Maryland' shows 5 scenes. One-third pg: 'A Trio of Indian Chiefs' includes Sitting Bull. Full page of athletic scenes includes tennis. -
Item #175580HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, Feb. 21, 1891 Nice full ftpg. print of: 'Gen. William T. Sherman'. Fullpg. has 9 scenes of: 'The Week of Sport in Central North Carolina'. Fullpg. of text & 7 illus. of: 'Rutgers College'. Find doublepage centerfold : 'Marching Thru Georgia' shows Sherman on horseback. Fullpg: 'Sioux... Read full description -
Item #175668HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, December 26, 1891 Full front page: 'On Broadway, After the Theatre'. Full page showing building a tunnel under Niagara Falls, with two more half page illustration regarding its construction.
Complete in sixteen pages. -
Item #621510DAILY GLOBE, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, March 17, 1897
* Bob Fitzsimmons vs. James J. "Jim" Corbett
* Heavyweight boxing championship fight (eve)
* Fight of the century (19th)
Page 3 has one column headings: "THE BIG PRIZE FIGHT" "Ex-Senator Ingalls on Hand to View the Contest" "His Interview With... Read full description -
Item #591671THE ATLANTA CONSTITUTION, Atlanta, Georgia, March 24, 1897
* Bob Fitzsimmons vs. James J. "Jim" Corbett
* Heavyweight boxing title
This 10 page newspaper has one column headlines on the front page: "FITZ AND JIM HAVE QUIET TALK", "After Taking Soft Drinks They Sit Down in a Corner", "Each Shows... Read full description -
Item #595640FITCHBURG SENTINEL, Fitchburg, Massachusetts, October 19, 1897
* Pedlar Palmer
* Boxing
Page 5 has one column headings: "CHAMPION PALMER", "English Pugilist Adds Another to His List of Victories", "Had Boston For Opponent", "Defeated Boxer Wept When Decision Was Made Known" with illustration of... Read full description -
Item #697576THE ILLUSTRATED POLICE NEWS, Boston, Oct. 23, 1897
* Rare illustrated publication
Although earlier in its distance this was a more bonafide police & law enforcement newspaper, but by this time it had devolved into a sensationalistic tabloid reporting bizarre and over-the-top antics.
The full front page is a print captioned: "Give Me The Gun,... Read full description -
Item #680885THE EVENING TRIBUNE, San Diego, March 23, 1898
* James J. Jeffries vs. Peter Jackson
* Heavyweight boxing fight - match
The front page has a one column heading: "PETE JACKSON WHIPPED" with subheads. (see) This was prior to Jeffries gaining the World heavyweight title. Surprisingly this issue is in good condition being from the "wood... Read full description -
Item #704447THE DETROIT FREE PRESS, Michigan, Nov. 23, 1898
* Tom Sharkey vs. James J. Corbett
* Heavyweight boxing match - fight
* Lenox Athletic Club, New York
The front page has nearly a full column taken up on the historic boxing match between Tom Sharkey and James Corbett, including illustrations of both.
The one-column heads include: "... Read full description -
Item #674580THE BETHLEHEM TIMES, Penn., June 10, 1899
* James Jeffries wins heavyweight boxing title
* w/ illustration - vs. Robert Fitzsimmons
The top of page 3 has one column headings: "JEFFRIES IS CHAMPION" "Easily Defeats Fitzsimmons In The Great Battle" and more with illustration of Jeffries. Also... Read full description -
Item #593682WELLSVILLE DAILY REPORTER, New York, June 12, 1899
* Bob Fitzsimmons
* James Jeffries
The top of the front page has: "AFTER THE BIG FIGHT" "Letter From the Defeated champion Pugilist" "Warns His Friends Not To Bet" "He Had But Little Confidence in Winning the Battle with Jeffries--He Denies Ever Writing the... Read full description -
Item #645858SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN, New York, Aug. 12, 1899 The ftpg. is taken up with 2 photos of the sailing yacht "Columbia" with an article & another page of photos inside. Inside photo of: "The Riker Electric Brougham" car, with text. Also a devise titled: "The Boxing Kangaroo". "The Polyphone--Novel Attachment for... Read full description -
Item #591492WELLSVILLE DAILY REPORTER, Wellsville, New York, November 4, 1899
* James J. Jeffries vs. Tom Sharkey
* Heavyweight boxing championship
* 1st ever on film - motion pictures
This 4 page newspaper has one column headlines on the front page: "TWENTY-FIVE ROUNDS", "Fight Between James J. Jeffries and Tom... Read full description -
Item #638007THE GLOBE, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, November 4, 1899
* James J. Jeffries vs. Tom Sharkey
* Heavyweight boxing championship
* 1st ever on film - motion pictures
The top of page 3 has a one column heading: "VICTORY FOR JEFFRIES" with subheads. (see)
Other news and advertisements of the day. Complete in 4 pages, light toning, minor... Read full description -
Item #680111THE EVENING TRIBUNE, San Diego, Nov. 4, 1899
* James J. Jeffries vs. Tom Sharkey
* Heavyweight boxing championship
* 1st ever on film - motion pictures
The top of the front page has a one column heading: "A TERRIFIC BATTLE" with subheads. (see) Surprisingly this issue is in good condition being from the "wood... Read full description -
Item #692831THE OMAHA DAILY BEE, Nebraska, May 12, 1900
* James J. Jeffries vs. James J. Corbett
* Heavyweight boxing title fight (1st report)
The top of the front page has a one column heading: "JEFFRIES BY A BLOW" with subheads. (see) Very lengthy text continues on page 2. First report coverage on the James J. Jeffries vs. James J. Corbett for... Read full description -
Item #687619ARIZONA DAILY STAR, Tucson, Aug. 11, 1900
* Rare old West publication
* Turn of the 20th century
* Bob Fitzsimmons boxing victory
A territorial newspaper as Arizona did not join the Union until 12 years later.
The top of the front page has column heads: "FITZSIMMONS THE WINNER" "He Does the Trick Easily in the... Read full description -
Item #592193THE EVENING NEWS, Detroit, Michigan, August 25, 1900
* Bob Fitzsimmons vs. Tom Sharkey
* Heavyweight boxing
This 10 page newspaper has one column headings on page 6: "GAME OLD 'FITZ'", "The Lucky One Knocked Sharkey Out in Second Round of Their Contest", "Sharkey Has Toppled Fitz Over Just at... Read full description -
Item #605348THE SUN, New York, Aug. 31, 1900 The top of the front page has: "WIN FOR CORBETT" "Ex-Champion Fighter Defeats McCoy Decisively Inside Five Routes" "Big Crowd At the Ringside" & more.
Ten pages, mostly loose at the spine, various tears at the margins & central fold. -
Item #177137HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, February 22, 1902 Frontpage photo Princess Henry of Prussia; The Harvard Astronomical observatory in Peru with photos; fullpage photo of The Composer of "Manru" - Ignace Jan Paderewski; fullpage photo The German Suspended Mono-Rail... Read full description -
Item #591313WELLSVILLE DAILY REPORTER, Wellsville, New York, July 26, 1902
* James Jeffries - Heavyweight boxing title
* Robert "Bob" Fitzsimmons
This 8 page newspaper has one column headlines on the front page: "JAS. J. JEFFRIES", "California Pugilist Still Holds the Championship", "Won Fight In Eight... Read full description -
Item #177183HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, January 10, 1903 -
Item #675857EVENING TRIBUNE, San Diego, Aug.15, 1903
* James J. Jeffries vs. James J. Corbett
* Heavyweight boxing title fight (1st report)
The top of page 2 has a two column heading: "CORBETT HAD LITTLE SHOW" with subhead and round by round description. (see) Surprisingly this issue is in good condition being from the "wood pulp"... Read full description -
Item #675934THE EVENING TRIBUNE, San Diego, Nov. 26, 1903
* Bob Fitzsimmons wins Light Heavyweight title
* vs. George Gardiner - boxing championship
The top of page 2 has a two column headline: "CROWD HISSED THE PUGILISTS" with subhead: "Fitzsimmons Won the Fight--Gardner Stood up for Twenty Rounds" and round by round... Read full description -
Item #678508THE EVENING TRIBUNE, San Diego, Aug. 1, 1907
* Jimmy Britt vs. Battling Nelson
* World "White" lightweight title
The top of page 3 has a four column heading: "JIMMY BRITT THE VICTOR IN A TERRIFIC BATTLE" with subheads and round by round description. Lengthy text. (see) Surprisingly this issue is in good condition... Read full description -
Item #177012HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, October 17, 1908 The front page of this issue has an illustration by W. A. Rogers called "'Giddap, Bill!' "
This issue has photos of "The Greatest Ball Game Ever Played" between Chicago Cubs and New York Giants on October 8, 1908;... Read full description -
Item #676920EVENING TRIBUNE, San Diego, April 30, 1910
* Upcoming Jack Johnson vs. James J. Jeffries
* Heavyweight boxing championship bout
* Boxing's first "Fight of the Century"
* In training photos a few months prior
The front page of the sport's section (page 7) has a headline: "Jeffries Stops Heavy Training Stunts to Give... Read full description -
Item #715588EVENING TRIBUNE, San Diego, July 6, 1910
* Jack Johnson vs. James J. Jeffries
* Heavyweight boxing championship bout
* Boxing's first "Fight of the Century"
The top of the front page has a two column headline: "JEFFRIES DISQUALIFIED, SAYS RICKARD, BEFORE KNOCKOUT BLOW GIVEN" with subheads. (see images) Surprisingly... Read full description -
Item #177569HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, July 9, 1910
The front page of this issue has a photo of "Harvard Makes a Clean Sweep".
This issue has photos of "James J. Jeffries and John A. Johnson" and there is an article of "Johnson Wins the Great Fight." There is also "A Recent Portrait of Mrs. Leslie... Read full description
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P.O. Box 3636
Williamsport, PA 17701
Phone: 1-570-326-1045
E-mail: info@rarenewspapers.com
Hours
Weekdays, 7:30 - 4 (ET)
Full Contact Information
