John “Jack” Broughton: Father of English Boxing

John Broughton, possibly born around 1703 to unknown parents, may have hailed from London, although some historical accounts suggest he was the son of a farmer in Baunton, Gloucestershire. His early life saw him apprenticed to a Thames waterman in May 1723. By 1 August 1730, Broughton had already made a mark in the waterman community by winning the prestigious Doggett’s Coat and Badge rowing race, a notable achievement among watermen who completed their apprenticeships within the previous year. During this time, he was recognized for his work on the shore near Hungerford Market in London.

Standing at 180 centimeters (5 feet 11 inches) tall and weighing 14 stone (200 pounds) in adulthood, Broughton’s physical stature hinted at his potential in the sporting arena. It’s speculated that his early bouts might have been informal contests against fellow watermen, with rumors suggesting that he once emerged victorious from a dispute-turned-fight. Promotional materials for one of Broughton’s fights in 1750 even boasted of an undefeated streak spanning 24 years, indicating that his boxing career likely began around 1726.

By 1730, Broughton had entered the realm of professional prizefighting, featured in advertisements in London newspapers. His presence as a fighter graced the stages of prominent amphitheatres owned by figures like Thomas Sibblis, who took over James Figg’s venue in 1731, and James Stokes. Engaging in semi-regular matches, Broughton often found himself facing familiar adversaries, such as pipe-maker Thomas Allen, whom he fought four times between 1730 and 1734, and coachman George Stephenson, with whom he contested three matches starting in 1738. One of these bouts, humorously satirized by Paul Whitehead in his 1744 mock-epic poem “The Gymnasiad”, highlighted Broughton’s presence in the boxing scene.

In 1743, Broughton made a significant stride in boxing history by establishing an amphitheatre in Oxford Road. This venue became the stage for staged fights starting March 13, 1743, drawing patrons who could witness boxing matches alongside displays of other combat arts like sword fighting and cudgel matches. While Broughton aimed for a venue where skilled combatants showcased their abilities, he also hosted spectacles of animal blood sport, including bear-baiting. On August 16, 1743, Broughton formalized the sport by crafting the first standard set of rules, specifying that a round would continue until a fighter was knocked down, with a 30-second interval between rounds. These rules became widely adopted in boxing until they were supplanted by the London Prize Ring rules in 1838.

Broughton’s involvement extended beyond the boxing ring; he held the title of King’s Body Guard of the Yeoman of the Guard and likely accompanied George II to Hanover in 1743 during the War of the Austrian Succession.

In 1747, Broughton expanded his influence by opening a school in Haymarket, where men could learn the art of boxing. Notably, he introduced an early form of boxing glove known as “mufflers” to protect against injuries, possibly attracting wealthier clientele to the sport. Though the use of mufflers in professional bouts didn’t become widespread until much later, some historians credit Broughton as the inventor of boxing gloves due to his pioneering use of mufflers.

One of the most significant events in Broughton’s career occurred on April 11, 1750, when he faced off against Jack Slack, a Norfolk butcher, in a highly anticipated match fueled by personal animosity between the two. However, after just two minutes of fighting, Slack delivered a blinding punch, leading Broughton to retire from the bout after 14 minutes due to impaired vision. The Duke of Cumberland, Broughton’s patron at the time, reportedly lost £10,000 on the match. Following this defeat, Broughton permanently retired from boxing, although he continued managing his amphitheatre until around 1753 or 1754, after which he pursued an antiques business.

Broughton’s legacy transcended his active years in the boxing ring. Despite retiring from competitive boxing, he continued to impart his knowledge of the sport until 1787, even in his advanced age. His dedication to boxing was mirrored in his personal life, being married to Elizabeth, who was significantly younger than him.

In December 1768, Broughton found himself embroiled in controversy when he was implicated in hiring individuals for a tumultuous event in Brentford on behalf of Sir William Beauchamp-Proctor’s parliamentary campaign. The incident resulted in a riot, leading to fatalities. While Broughton’s involvement remains unclear, two men, one of whom he hired, were convicted of murder but later received pardons.

Broughton’s life came to a close on January 8, 1789, at his residence in Walcot Place, Lambeth. In his will, he left a substantial sum of £7,000 to his niece. His desire to be remembered as the “Champion of England” was initially met with opposition from the dean of Westminster Abbey, who objected to the epitaph on his headstone. However, in 1988, Broughton’s wish was granted, albeit with the added qualification of “Pugilist.”

His influence extended beyond his lifetime, as evident in his portrayal in 18th-century art and literature. Artists like John Ellys and John Hamilton Mortimer captured his likeness, while he served as a model for John Michael Rysbrack’s statue of Hercules. In literature, Broughton’s exploits were immortalized, with Paul Whitehead satirizing his fights against George Stephenson in the mock-epic poem “The Gymnasiad.” Even William Hazlitt’s 1822 essay “The Fight” referenced Broughton’s encounters with Stephenson. Additionally, Henry Fielding’s writings, including the novel “The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling,” contained allusions to Broughton’s boxing academy and the invention of “muffler” boxing gloves.

Broughton’s enduring impact on the sport of boxing was recognized posthumously when he was among the original inductees into the International Boxing Hall of Fame, celebrated as a pioneer of the sport.