The Master Craftsman

The Yeoman Of The Guard

Jack Broughton who in 1734 originated the first code of boxing and went on to create the first ever boxing gloves in those days used only for sparring sessions and exhibitions. Jack Broughton studied boxing defences, how to attack an opponent in the ring, he also put a lot of emphasis on the use of this style. Previously boxing was a toe to toe fighting match but Jack Broughton infused into the sport, stopping and blocking, hitting and retreating. Jack Broughton was six feet tall, weighed in at 196 pounds. Jack Broughton was quite a gentleman, well educated and an extremely  intelligent human being. The Duke of Cumberland did developed a profound interest in Jack Broughton. The Duke obtained a position with the Yeomen of the Guard for Jack, which Broughton held until his death at the age of eighty five.

The London Prize Ring Rules

Jack Broughton's Rules governed boxing from the 17th August 1743, until 1838, when a new boxing code known as "The London Prize Ring Rules," was adopted into the sport of boxing. From Joe Figg through to the boxing champions of today it is unquestionably quite a broad stretch of almost 300 years. In that period of time the world has seen the likes of Jack Dempsey, Joe Louis, Rocky Marciano, Muhammad Ali, Joe Frazier, George Foreman, Lennox Lewis and the new breed of European boxers who came through to the fore front to become World Boxing Champions. Through out the History of boxing we have seen large men, tall men, fat, skinny lean boxers, and men who were just simple bullies in the ring. Over the years we the boxing fans have seen boxing champions who has proliferated the magical art of the sweet  science in their boxing styles which they have brought into the boxing the ring.

The Elimination of Bare Knuckle And Skin Tight Gloves

There were those fighters who were devastating punchers, there were those fighters who were just sluggers and those who were cool level headed boxers and men of culture. Some with only an ordinary education, and others who had none at all. In each of these styles a boxing champion could be found, a heavyweight who had climbed to the top rung of the pugilistic ladder. The elimination of the bare knuckle and skin tight gloves era that lasted over a century and three-quarters in boxing and into the period that was governed by the Marquis of Queensberry Rules that brought about the introduction for padded boxing gloves contests.

Broughton Rules Formed The Groundwork of Boxing

In an era in which several heavyweights became kings of the division, and only one that was a claimant; a boxer by the name of Marvin Hart. Over the years there has been many thrilling world heavyweight championship battles for the greatest prize of all in the world to become Kings of the world in the sweet science of the pugilistic sport. Jack Broughton rules formed the groundwork of fair play and his introduction of gloves, or mufflers as it was known in those days. But after Jack's death, some boxers chose to the corrupted route to making easy money. One such boxer, was Jack Slack the Norwich Butcher who became the first Knight of the Cleaver to win a British title.

Double Crosses Brought Boxing To it's Lowest Level

That contest took place on the 17th June 1760. After the fight was over a group of men who called themselves The Corinthians accused the Nailer after he had won the title. They declared that Bill Stevens the victor of the fight was quite a dishonourable personality in boxing whose double crosses had brought boxing down to it's lowest level, and should be banned from boxing for all times. The Marquis of Queensberry Rule went on to state that if one man failed to come to scratch in the ten seconds that is allowed, it shall be in the power of the referee to give his award in favour of the other man.

The Master Craftsman