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18th century boxing match...
18th century boxing match...
Item # 718492
July 07, 1787
THE LONDON CHRONICLE, England, July 7, 1787
* 18th century bare knuckle boxing match
* Post Revolutionary war era Kingston
Page 5 has a report that begins with: "At one o'clock on Thursday, Johnson and Fry, two prize-fighters, met on a stage..." (see image)
Eight pages, 8 1/2 by 11 inches, nice condition.
AI notes: In 1787, the bare-knuckle boxing match between Johnson and Fry took place in Kingston, a prominent colonial port city, likely Kingston, Jamaica, where boxing was a popular and rough form of entertainment among both locals and British expatriates. This fight exemplified the brutal and unregulated style of 18th-century pugilism, held before the establishment of formal rules, with rounds often lasting until one fighter was knocked down or unable to continue. Johnson and Fry, though not widely documented in boxing history, were part of a vibrant underground boxing scene that thrived in colonial outposts, reflecting the sport’s growing international reach beyond England. These matches were typically public spectacles, drawing crowds eager for excitement and wagering, and were integral in spreading boxing’s influence to the Caribbean, blending local cultures with British sporting traditions. While detailed records of this specific bout are limited, its occurrence in Kingston underscores the global diffusion of early prizefighting during this era.
Category: British
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