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 956 Results
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Item #615424THE MORNING POST & DAILY ADVERTISER, London, July 23, 1788 The bottom of pg. 2 has: "Doyle, the famous boxer, was yesterday committed by the Magistrates at Bow St. for assaulting a gentleman in Covent Garden...". Other news of the day & a wealth of ads.
Four pages, nice condition. -
Diseases of the teeth...
Item #577585THE MORNING POST & DAILY ADVERTISER, London, December 26, 1788. Page three has content related to boxing (see images). Four pages, folio size, very nice condition. Also included on the back page is a lengthy discussion on "A Practical Treatise on the Diseases of the Teeth" - nice for dentistry interest. Partial red-ink stamp on... Read full description -
Item #619937THE MORNING POST & DAILY ADVERTISER, London, Aug. 28, 1789
* 18th century boxing
Page 3 has an early item on a boxing match, noting: "A boxing match is to be fought...between Bullard and Brighton, two Suffolk men, for 50 pounds a side, in which it is expected many hard blows will be given as they are very powerful men & upwards of... Read full description -
Item #616590THE MORNING POST & DAILY ADVERTISER, London, Oct. 21, 1789
* Isaac Perrins vs. Tom Johnson
* English boxing championship
Page 3 has an article headed: "Boxing" concerning: "...the battle between Johnson and Perrins..." with some details (see).
Four pages, partial red tax stamp on the front page, very nice condition.
wikipedia notes: ... Read full description -
Item #698986THE LONDON CHRONICLE, England, Feb. 2, 1790
* Daniel Mendoza - The fighting Jew
The back page has: "...Sir Sampson compelled Mr. Mendoza to give bail for his good behavior in future, which he did, himself in a penalty of 200 pounds...Thus the rage for boxing has received a very proper check...to be hoped the magistrates... Read full description -
Item #600204THE MORNING POST, AND DAILY ADVERTISER, London, April 13, 1790
* 18th century boxing
A very nice full folio-size newspaper of 4 pages with the entire front page taken up with ads. Pages 2 & 3 have various news of the day with the back page having mostly ads.
Page 2 has a report on a upcoming boxing match. See image for text.
Nice condition. -
Item #613364THE MORNING POST & DAILY ADVERTISER, London, June 24, 1790
* Early boxing match
* One arm tied up
Page 3 has an early article on: "Boxing" concerning: "...the one-armed soldier...and a chimney-sweeper, who differed a little with each other in politics & parties...agreed to decide their dispute by a pitched battle in... Read full description -
Item #686767COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, Oct. 30, 1790
* 18th century bareknuckle boxing
Page 2 has an article: "Boxing" which is a very early report of the sport. The match is between "Big Ben" and the "Tinman".
Other items including a page 3 article on: "Duelling" "King of France's Demand" "the Art of... Read full description -
Item #590354COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, October 30, 1790 Page 2 has an article: "Boxing" which is a very early report of the sport (see photos). Other items including a page 3 article on: "Duelling", "King of France's Demand", "the Art of Joking", "King of Sweden" and other items.
Complete in 4 pages,... Read full description -
Item #700811THE GENERAL EVENING POST, London, Feb. 23, 1792
* President George Washington
* "Wallace Oak Box" presentation
The back page has a report of a gift to President Washington from Scotland, mentioned in a letter from Philadelphia. It notes: "...was presented to the President of the United States a box, elegantly mounted with... Read full description -
Item #703606COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, June 2, 1792
* 2nd - Second Militia Act of 1792
* President George Washington signs
* Fort Lafayette - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
* Major General Anthony Wayne
Most of the front page is taken up with a Act of Congress now known as the Second Militia Act, signed in script... Read full description -
Item #677415THE HERALD; A GAZETTE FOR THE COUNTRY, New York, Aug. 27, 1796 Page 2 has a curious report: "Amorous Fracas!" The report from Ireland begins: "The boxing match which lately happened between two elderly maiden ladies of fashion...having made some noise....we are happy to lay the cats and the consequences before our readers..."... Read full description
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Item #611422NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, July 30, 1811
* Tom "The Moor" Molineaux
* African-American bare-knuckle boxer
Page 3 has a one paragraph report about a boxing match near London between Molineux, the famous black man from New York, and a young Englishman named Rimmer. The report states in part: "...In the course of 15 minutes the black pounded... Read full description -
Item #668219DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., Oct. 30, 1849 Page 2 has a nice article: "Great Fight With The Apaches" which is mostly taken up with an account of a battle headed: "American Guerrilla Company of Capt. Box, Santiago, Sept. 3, 1849". Nice detail in this letter.
Four pages, very nice condition.
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Item #631790NEW YORK TRIBUNE, Oct. 9, 1855 Page 2 has an interesting "$15,000 Reward" ad in the "Lost and Found" section of the paper, offering much detail on the theft. A few details include: "...the 17th of Sept. last two Boxes were delivered at the office of the American Express Co. in Dubuque, Iowa...Said boxes, on their... Read full description
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Item #675246PORTER'S SPIRIT OF THE TIMES, New York, Jan. 24, 1857 A rather famous sporting newspaper, with a sporting-themed masthead, calling itself: "A Chronicle of the Turf, Field Sports, Literature and the Stage". This is a volume one issue.
Reports are headed: "The Turf" "Draught Of The Seine" "Our Chess... Read full description -
Item #675271PORTER'S SPIRIT OF THE TIMES, New York, Feb. 14, 1857 Under the heading: "Out-Door Sports" are two letters to the editor from Troy, N.Y., concerning the "old game of wicket". It includes a quite small diagram of the "ground plan" of the game.
Under "Fistiana" (boxing) is a detailed report:... Read full description -
Item #172024HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, February 21, 1857 Includes small illustrations of: "Henry Jenkins" and "Old Parr." Many illustrations pertaining to Peru including: "Revolution in Peru-Arica Bombarded by General Vivanco," "Jesuit Church," "Palace of Manco Capac, Cuzco," "Church at Cuzco,"... Read full description
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Item #596515PORTER'S SPIRIT OF THE TIMES, New York, March 14, 1857 Various literary content but there is also sporting reports near the back, including: "Trotting at Fairs" "Fistiana" which is boxing; "Our Chess Department" "Out-Door Sports" including cricket and a "ball match". I believe the latter to be... Read full description
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Item #172032HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, March 21, 1857 An article entitled "Welcome to Horace Vernet" features a small illustration of him as well as a drawing by him which contains his autograph with date. Contains ten illustrations of Bermuda and its people in this article headed: 'A Cruise To the Somers Islands'. Few other illustrations, still being an... Read full description
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Item #544497PORTER'S SPIRIT OF THE TIMES, New York, March 28, 1857.
* Chess
As noted in the masthead: "A Chronicle of the Turf, Field Sports, Literature and the Stage", this is a volume 1 issue of a very early sporting publication. Near the back of the issue is a column entitled: "Our Chess Department", which includes a chess "problem of the week" in... Read full description -
Item #574795PORTER'S SPIRIT OF THE TIMES, New York, April 4, 1857.
* Chess
As noted in the masthead: "A Chronicle of the Turf, Field Sports, Literature and the Stage", this is a volume II issue of a very early sporting publication. Near the back of the issue is a column entitled: "Our Chess Department", which includes a chess "problem of the week" in... Read full description -
Item #571043PORTER'S SPIRIT OF THE TIMES, New York, April 11, 1857 As noted in the masthead: "A Chronicle of the Turf, Field Sports, Literature and the Stage", this is a volume II issue of a very early sporting publication. An article "Base Ball" has the announcement of the elected officers for the Excelsior Base Ball Club of... Read full description
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Item #606473NEW YORK DAILY TIMES, August 4, 1857
* Pre-Civil War boxing - prize fight
* Dominick Bradley vs. S.S. Rankin
* Buffalo, New York
Page 5 has an article headed: "The Great Prize-Fight Between Bradley and Rankins". See images for text.
Other news of the day. Complete in 8 pages, minor spine wear, otherwise nice. -
Item #172088HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, October 3, 1857 The front page article: "Thrilling Narrative of a Ship-Wrecked Passenger on Board the 'Central America" features the nearly half-page illustration 'Wreck of the Central America, Adrift on the Ocean'. Five nice illustrations on two pages regarding:... Read full description
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Item #695711SPIRIT OF THE TIMES, New York, Oct. 10, 1857 It is subtitled in the masthead: "A Chronicle of the Turf, Agriculture, Field Sports, Literature and the Stage".
Almost half of page 7 is taken up with: "Cricketer's Chronicle" which reports on four cricket matches, with the "box... Read full description -
Item #172094HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, October 24,1857 The front page features 1/2 page illustration of "Militia-Day" with accompanying article. Inside illustration of "Sreenath alias Nena Sahib" and "The Latest Paris Fall Fashions" (dresses). Inside almost double page map of "A Chart in Relief of British India" with the... Read full description
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Item #172098HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, November 7, 1857 The front page features an article "Peace and War" and has two illustrations "What the United States Soldiers are Doing" and "What the British Soldiers are Doing". A full page shows six different Shawl fashion illustrations. Full page: 'At The Polls' shows a scene at... Read full description
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Item #172100HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, November 14, 1857 Front half page illustration of "The Sovereigns at the Theatre at Stuttgardt" with an accompanying article.
Inside contains two large illustrations of "Rev. Charles Haddon Spurgeon" and "Rev. Charles Haddon Spurgeon Preaching to Thirty Thousand People at the Crystal Palace,... Read full description -
Item #719248SPIRIT OF THE TIMES, New York, Dec. 5, 1857
* Pre-Civil War sporting - hunting publication
"A Chronicle of the Turf, Agriculture, Field Sports, Literature and the Stage" which features an engraving of a horse racing scene in the masthead.
Although this eclectic title covers all the fields noted in the masthead, horse racing... Read full description -
Item #172116HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, January 2, 1858 The front page features a full page print: "New Year's Visiting in New York". Two other nice full page prints inside: "The Birth of the New Year' and 'A Happy New Year!" and an article "The Life of American Students at... Read full description
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Item #172120HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, January 16, 1858 The front page shows: 'Coming Out of a Fashionable Church'. 'Travel Notes in Bible Lands' includes two views of Antioch. "Dogographs" features two comical illustrations of "The Low Dog" and "The Fast Dog" of society. Nice illustration of 'The Central Market at... Read full description
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Item #172122HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, January 23, 1858 The full front page illustration is entitled: 'In The Bitter Cold'. "Hon. Charles O'Conor" with an accompanying article. "The Great Massacre at Cawnpore" also features two illustrations; "The House in Which the Women and Children were Slaughtered at Cawnpore" and... Read full description
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Item #172180HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, August 14, 1858 The front page features an article and half page illustration of "The Atlantic Telegraph" (England, United States). Inside half page map of "The Gulf of Petielle." Also two illustrations of boats including "The Pei-Ho Forts" and "Victoria, Vancouver's Island."... Read full description
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Item #172198HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, October 16, 1858 The front page features a half page illustration of "Gerard Hallock, Esq." with accompanying article. Inside full page illustration of "The Destruction of the New York Crystal Palace by Fire, October 5.1858" and a half page illustration of "The Ruins of the Crystal... Read full description
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Item #606765THE NEW YORK TIMES, October 20, 1858
* John Heenan "Benicia Boy"
* Pre Civil War boxing w/ police raid
* Jews Hospital - Mount Sinai
The front page has an article headed: "Fight Between the 'Bencia Boy' and 'Dublin Tricks'--The Latter Badly Beaten" See image for text here.
Eight pages, minor spine wear, nice condition. -
Item #682725NEW YORK HERALD, Oct. 20, 1858 Page 4 has nearly a full column report on: "The Prize Fight Today" between Morrissey and Heenan (The Benicia Boy). Column subheads include: "Morrissey and the Benecia Boy--Condition of the Men--Who Will be Champion--How the Betting Ranges--Amount of Money Staked".... Read full description
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Item #695735SPIRIT OF THE TIMES, New York, Oct. 30, 1858 It is subtitled in the masthead: "A Chronicle of the Turf, Field Sports, Literature and the Stage".
Page 5 has: "The Great Prize Fight" which provides a round-by-round report of the boxing match between John Morrissey and John C. Heenan.
Page 7 has a brief item: "New Base Ball... Read full description -
Item #172202HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, October 30, 1858 The front page features a half page illustration of "Mademoiselle Piccolomini" with accompanying article. Inside two 1/4 page illustration of "The Late Rev. John Sawyer, of Bangor, Maine" and "General Paez, of Venezuela." Half page illustration of... Read full description
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Item #696357WILKES' SPIRIT OF THE TIMES, New York, Sept. 17, 1859 It is subtitled in the masthead: "A Chronicle of the Turf, Field Sports, Literature and the Stage".
Inside has considerable text under: "BASE BALL" "Atlantic vs. Eckford" with the box score as well. Also reports and box scores for 3 other baseball... Read full description -
Item #696361WILKES' SPIRIT OF THE TIMES, New York, Oct. 8, 1859
* English cricket team in North American tour
It is subtitled in the masthead: "A Chronicle of the Turf, Field Sports, Literature and the Stage".
Page 4 and 5 have considerable coverage of the historic: "Great International Cricket Matches!"... Read full description -
Item #696355WILKES' SPIRIT OF THE TIMES, New York, Oct. 22, 1859 It is subtitled in the masthead: "A Chronicle of the Turf, Field Sports, Literature and the Stage".
All of pages 1 and 2 have columns black-bordered for the recent death of: "David C. Broderick", a politician of some note at the time.
... Read full description -
Item #696352WILKES' SPIRIT OF THE TIMES, New York, Nov. 12, 1859 It is subtitled in the masthead: "A Chronicle of the Turf, Field Sports, Literature and the Stage".
Two-thirds of a page are taken up with reports headed: "Base Ball" with text and box scores for 10 games. Also a report under:... Read full description -
Item #696350WILKES' SPIRIT OF THE TIMES, New York, Nov. 26, 1859 It is subtitled in the masthead: "A Chronicle of the Turf, Field Sports, Literature and the Stage".
Inside has: "Fistiana - The Championship of the World--Heenan vs. Sayers".
This article was in anticipation of what is considered the first... Read full description -
Item #695732WILKES' SPIRIT OF THE TIMES, New York, Jan. 14, 1860
* John C. Heenan vs. Tom Sayers
* First World boxing championship match
It is subtitled in the masthead: "A Chronicle of the Turf, Field Sports, Literature and the Stage".
Inside has most a page taken up with:... Read full description -
Item #695721WILKES' SPIRIT OF THE TIMES, New York, Jan. 7, 1860
* John C. Heenan vs. Tom Sayers (pre-fight)
* First World boxing championship match
It is subtitled in the masthead: "A Chronicle of the Turf, Field Sports, Literature and the Stage".
Inside has more than a page taken up with: "Life And Battles Of Tom... Read full description -
Item #695718WILKES' SPIRIT OF THE TIMES, New York, Feb. 4, 1860 It is subtitled in the masthead: "A Chronicle of the Turf, Field Sports, Literature and the Stage".
Various reporting on the historic boxing match of the day between Tom Sayers and John Heenan, 'The Benicia Boy' including... Read full description -
Item #695717WILKES' SPIRIT OF THE TIMES, New York, Feb. 11, 1860
* John C. Heenan vs. Tom Sayers
* First World boxing championship match
It is subtitled in the masthead: "A Chronicle of the Turf, Field Sports, Literature and the Stage".
This issue has a great deal of reporting on the historic... Read full description -
Item #696359WILKES' SPIRIT OF THE TIMES, New York, A consecutive pair of issues for Feb. 18 and 25, 1860
* John C. Heenan vs. Tom Sayers
* First World boxing championship match
It is subtitled in the masthead: "A Chronicle of the Turf, Field Sports, Literature and the Stage".
With the world title boxing... Read full description -
Item #675285WILKES' SPIRIT OF THE TIMES, New York, March 17, 1860 A rather famous sporting newspaper calling itself: "A Chronicle of the Turf, Field Sports, Literature and the Stage".
Page 4 has a brief report headed: "Base Ball - The Base Ball Championship Game at New Orleans, La." between Empire and Southern, including the crude box... Read full description






















































