Draft:John Slack
English bare-knuckle boxing champion
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
John "Jack" Slack (1721 – 17 July 1768 ) was an English bare-knuckle prizefighter from Norfolk. In 1750 he defeated the reigning champion Jack Broughton to become champion of England.[1] The victory ended Broughton's long dominance of the prize ring and is regarded as a notable contest in the early history of prizefighting.
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Slack later defended the championship against several challengers during the 1750s. He is also known as the grandfather of the later champion Jem Belcher.[2]
Early life
Slack was born in 1721 in Thorpe, near Norwich, Norfolk. His father was a butcher, a trade Slack later followed himself. This association led to his nickname "the Norfolk Butcher" or "Knight of the Cleaver".
During the early 1740s Slack gained a reputation as a local fighter in East Anglia. Accounts state that in 1743 he defeated several opponents in Norfolk and became regarded as one of the leading fighters in the region. In 1744 he fought the Suffolk champion Daniel Smith twice, defeating him on both occasions.
Slack continued to compete in East Anglia for several years before moving to London in search of stronger competition.
Prizefighting career
Move to London
Around 1748 Slack moved to London and began fighting on the capital's prizefighting circuit, including contests connected with the amphitheatre operated by Jack Broughton.[1]
In 1749 Slack fought a lengthy contest against James Field (criminal). Contemporary reports describe the bout as lasting approximately one hour and thirty-two minutes before Slack was declared the winner.[1]
Later the same year he defeated another fighter named John James.
Championship bout with Jack Broughton
On 11 April 1750 Slack fought Jack Broughton for the championship of England. Broughton had dominated the prize ring for many years and was widely regarded as the leading fighter of the period.
Early in the contest Slack struck Broughton heavily in the face, injuring his nose and swelling his eyes. After approximately fourteen minutes Broughton was unable to continue and Slack was declared the winner.[1]
The result ended Broughton's long championship reign and established Slack as champion of England.
Champion of England
Slack defended the championship several times during the 1750s.
One notable contest took place in Norfolk against a French fighter known as Monsieur Pettit. The bout reportedly lasted about twenty-five minutes before Pettit withdrew from the fight. It is the earliest known international prizefight in history.[3]
In 1755 Slack fought Cornelius Harris in Bristol. The contest lasted around twenty minutes and ended when Harris conceded defeat due to his injuries.
Slack made another defence of the championship in 1759 at Acton Wells against Jack Moreton, defeating him after a contest lasting approximately thirty-five minutes.
Loss of title and later life
Slack lost the championship in 1760 when he was defeated by William Stevens (boxer).[1]
After retiring from active competition Slack was involved in training other fighters, including George Meggs. Meggs later defeated Stevens, although this bought is heavily shaded by controversy.
Slack spent his later life in Bristol, where he died aged 47 in 1768.