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By CHRISTOPHER JAMES SHELTON
www.ringsideboxingshow.com
Daniel Mendoza was born on July 5th,
1764, in the parish of Aldgate, London. The family was
middle class, which meant that he was neither a product
of privilege or abject poverty. The goal and
expectations of the Mendoza family was for the son to
learn a trade, become a respectable but bland member of
the societal middle class. Mendoza had left home at age
12 to learn his trade, as a glass cutter, for an
apprenticeship with a respectable family. Mendoza would
eventually thrive and believe in the proper etiquette,
from student to 'Master', that one day as the learned
while the next as teacher. The problem for Mendoza was a
restless spirit. He bored easily. He also appears to be
involved with a non stop series of fights, that if you
believed him, as his father did, was always the fault of
someone else. Mendoza learned Hebrew in school, and I
assume was Bar Mitvahed, but he would never be a
religious person. The Bar Mitvah ritual itself is about
the boy becoming a man while accepting moral
responsibility for his actions. Mendoza witnessed
antisemitism throughout his youth, which generally
brought about fisticuffs, but he rarely discussed such
stuff as an adult.
The first pugilist encounter for
Daniel Mendoza was at 16-years old, 1780. There was a
personal dispute, involving bad manners, between an
athletic adult delivery man named Porter and a member of
the Mendoza work entourage. Mendoza was on his 3rd
apprenticeship attempt, as fighting for the reason that
he left the homes of the glass cutter and fruit grocer
families that he had lived prior. Mendoza had quit
school and was now serving under a 'Master' tea dealer.
The dispute that would evolve into a pugilist showdown
involved honor, with a heated argument over a gratuity,
so Mendoza offered to fight Porter. This was an adult
man against a young boy, but fortunately the toughest
guy in the region would protect any personal conduct
propriety and act as the corner man for Mendoza. His
name was Richard Humphreys.
Richard Humphreys held the respect
and disdain that accompanied a pugilist of any renown.
These were often honor matches, like the one with
Mendoza/Porter, with little financial reward. Money
could be made, if gambling were involved, with a
gracious winner sharing their winnings. If Humphreys
slipped a few guineas into his pocket afterward, this
was needed money, and though he would swear to himself
and his loved ones never to do it again, he would
continue to accept the next challenge. His size and no
nonsense toughness was the embodiment of a pugilist.
Daniel Mendoza
Daniel Mendoza: “This battle, which
first brought me into public notice, laid the foundation
of the fame I afterwords enjoyed; the spirit and
resolution I displayed throughout a contest with an
antagonist of such superior strength, excited the
general applause of the spectators.” Mendoza thrilled in
the moment of such an exciting encounter. There was a
bit of unexpected coin change in his pocket, any money
was appreciated, while the lack of fear against a larger
foe that assisted with his self esteem. The bout lasted
45 minutes. Humphreys would have offered boxing advice
and words of encouragement. But for someone to perform
so well against a larger foe, it is likely that Mendoza
was creative and innovative, and his own teacher, almost
from the start.
Mendoza was approached and agreed
for another bout that same week. This time he would be
paid for a professional encounter. Daniel Mendoza: “I
met my opponent, and here again had to contend against
superior strength; but after a contest which lasted near
an hour, had the satisfaction to come off victorious.”
Once again as his corner man, and acting as a mentor and
coach, was Richard Humphreys. It is a shame that the
relationship between Mendoza and Humphreys would become
one day so poisonous. Their conversations must have been
mutually pleasurable. Both men were literate and
intelligent. Mendoza was the more serious minded of the
two, which allowed Humphreys an easygoing sly sense of
humor underneath his gruff exterior, while a diminutive
Mendoza aggressively planned whatever it took to escape
his mediocre existence. Still, this contest offered a
confidence builder from the best pugilist in the region.
Daniel Mendoza: “Some of the spectators called out to
(Humphreys) to direct me where to strike, I well
recollect him reply, 'There is no need of it, the lad
knows more than all of us'.”
Mendoza's next bout of any
consequence was aged 19, 1783, versus an experienced, 21
year-old pugilist, named Tom Tyne. The location was at
Layton Stone in Essex. The prize was 5 guineas a side.
The fight lasted 75 minutes with Tyne as the winner when
Mendoza voluntarily retired. It was disappointing for
Mendoza to suffer his first defeat, but he rebounded
emotionally fast, and besides he could always blame a
loss on something or someone else. Daniel Mendoza: “My
friends would not suffer me to continue the contest any
longer and therefore the battle was decided against me.”
The next recorded bout, against a
pugilist named John Mathews, was an endurance battle
that would show more of the wrestling holds or throws of
Mendoza. A bare knuckle contest would stop each round
following a fall down, whether by punch or a wrestler
hold. There would be a 30 second rest between rounds.
The contest would be over when either pugilist could not
continue for the next round. The location for the
Mendoza/Mathews battle was Kilburn Wells. The prize was
6 guineas. The battle lasted for 2 ½ hours. An exhausted
Mathews began to fall down intentionally in order to
avoid being hit while receiving a short rest. Daniel
Mendoza: “At length I availed myself of a favorable
opportunity and seizing my opponent did not quit my hold
till I forced him to give up.”
Mendoza had left the tea dealer,
wanting no part of that life despite his apprentice
role, and knew that pugilism was too lowly a trade to
consider as a professional. Mendoza liked his own
gregarious personality, mixed with verbal skills and
love of an audience. He felt that he would be perfect
for the legitimate acting theater. He signed on for a
drama based on the life of the Jewish queen, Esther.
Mendoza placed on the costume, and with more nervousness
than he imagined, took the stage and attempted to sing.
It was a disaster with the audience openly heckling him.
Greatly embarrassed for the moment, but only the moment,
because he could re-energize himself by blaming others
for any life defeat. Daniel Mendoza: “Together with the
awkward and embarrassed behaviour of my companions at
the time, so excited and disgusted the audience, that
they would not suffer us to proceed, and we were finally
hissed and hooted off the stage.” Galling the theater
manager, who was as likely cheap and dishonest as
'galled', Mendoza asked for the promised acting payment.
The manager told him no. Mendoza demanded payment. The
manager told him no. So Mendoza left the theater with a
“valuable epaulette” as his self-determined fee.
Mendoza had fantasized himself as a
showman or entertainer, or anything that would avoid an
anonymous and dreary trade life job that promised steady
employment, but a meager existence with little luxury or
excitement. But his terrible stage appearance, mixed
with an awful singing voice, momentarily grounded his
dreams. He returned to trade work, with a kind tobacco
employer, in White Chapel. The employer was impressed by
Mendoza's pugilism side life and encouraged such
activity. Mendoza fought again in Chatham against a
larger foe with a local reputation. The prize was 5
guineas, and may have been fronted by the employer who
attended the bout. Mendoza was a 5-1 underdog. After a
grueling 1 ¼ hour bout, the larger foe surrendered, with
Mendoza as victorious. Mendoza won the 5 guineas
'official' prize, plus a monetary gratuity, from an
impressed employer who profited from gambling. Mendoza
was likely of mixed mind. He was thrilled by the
excitement of the bout itself, excited by the official
prize money and any 'tip' that was added on, but then
resentful that others made more money from his victory
than himself.
Mendoza left the tobacco employer
due to boredom and low wages. His next job, which he
landed due to pugilism, was smuggling stolen property.
The pay was 1 guinea a week along with free room and
board. If Mendoza thought he was a patsy to gamblers
through pugilism then life as a petty criminal taught
him of a more dangerous sort of life and employer.
Mendoza was taking all the risks, traveling horseback,
with risk of arrest or worse. Mendoza was told to avoid
law enforcement and to fight with his life to protect
the stolen merchandise. Mendoza was caught by peace
officers and briefly imprisoned. A fellow smuggler was
killed days later while 'protecting' stolen goods during
a hold up. Mendoza quit this dangerous work, but only
after deciding that the horse would be his “payment”
instead of a guinea.
Mendoza returned to pugilism with a
life altering single day. It was a spontaneous bout,
over a supposed insult while on horseback, for 1 guinea.
The battle in Kentish Town lasted for 30 minutes until
the opponent surrendered. The prize was low, because
Mendoza might have put up his own money, but the
gamblers rewarded him. His 1 guinea bet turned into a
nice 6 pounds prize. The excitement and money spurred
him into another 'insult' bout several hours later.
Mendoza accepted the 1 guinea betting prize. Most
important, since he had money on him, is that he refused
to put up his own funds. Someone backed the guinea
betting prize and rewarded Mendoza 2 guineas as payment
for his victory. Other gamblers were more generous and
he wound up with 14 pounds. Mendoza had turned two
bouts, with 2 guineas as total prize payment, into 20
pounds and 3 guineas, while learning never to risk any
of his own money. Mendoza must have been flushed with
manic excitement, over the thrill of congratulations and
cheering spectators, mixed with better money than he
could find elsewhere. Mendoza managed to get into
another 'insult' bout on this same day. He won the
fight, but it was not the money maker of the previous
two. It was still a great day for Mendoza, one that
remained in his mind with pride for many years, and with
money in his pocket, he decided that his earnings
entitled him to lavish entertainment that night.
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Daniel
Mendoza art
lesson #1:
(ACTION):
“Master strikes
with his left
arm on your
face.”
(RESPONSE):
“Parry with your
left forearm,
barring at the
same time your
stomach with
your right
forearm,
throwing head
and body back.”
(ACTION):
“Master strikes
round at your
left ear with
his right.”
(RESPONSE):
“Parry with your
left arm,
turning up the
elbow so as to
cover the side
of the head,
holding the
stomach with the
right forearm,
throwing head
and body back.”
(ACTION):
“Master
strikes at your
stomach with his
left.”
(RESPONSE):
“Bar your
stomach with
your right
forearm, keeping
your left
opposite his
nose, throwing
your head and
body back.”
(ACTION):
“His left
arm strikes at
your right
side.”
(RESPONSE):
“Stop with your
right elbow,
keeping your
left fist
opposite his
nose, throwing
head and body
back.”
Daniel
Mendoza art
lesson #2:
(ACTION):
“Master strikes
with the feint,
1, 2, at your
face, striking
fist with his
left at your
face (which is
the feint) in
order to hit you
in the face with
his right.”
(RESPONSE):
“Parry with your
right forearm,
and secondly
with your left
forearm,
covering the
stomach with
your right
forearm, and
throwing head
and body back.”
(ACTION):
“Master
feints in the
same manner,
beginning with
his right.”
(RESPONSE):
“Parry first
with your left
forearm, and
secondly with
your right
forearm,
covering the
second with the
left forearm,
and throwing
head and body
back.”
(ACTION):
“His left
feints at your
stomach, to hit
your face with
his right.”
(RESPONSE):
“Bar your
stomach with
your right
forearm, and
parry the blow
at your face
with your left
forearm,
throwing head
and body back.”
(ACTION):
“His left
feints at your
right side to
hit your face
with his right.”
(RESPONSE):
“Stop with your
right elbow, and
parry his blow
at your face
with your left
forearm,
throwing head
and body back.”
(ACTION):
“Master
strikes at the
face, 2, at the
stomach, with
alternate arms.”
(RESPONSE):
“Parry the 1st
with the proper
forearm, and the
2nd
with the proper
bar; that is, if
he strikes with
his left at your
face, and his
right at your
stomach, parry
his left with
his right
forearm, and his
right with your
left across your
stomach; if he
strikes 1st
with his right
at your face,
and his left at
your stomach,
parry his right
with your left
forearm, and his
left with your
right across
your stomach.”
(ACTION):
“He strikes
at the face, 1,
and 2 at the
side.”
(RESPONSE):
“Parry each with
their proper
forearm and
elbow.”
(ACTION):
“He strikes
at your stomach,
1, and 2 at the
side.”
(RESPONSE):
“Bar the 1st
with the proper
forearm, and
catch the other
with the proper
elbow.”
Daniel Mendoza
art lesson #3:
(ACTION):
“Master strikes
with his left at
your face 1;
with his right,
do 2; with his
left at your
stomach 3, the
blow intended.”
(RESPONSE):
“Parry the 1st
with your right
forearm --- the
2nd
with your right
forearm --- the
3rd
with your right
forearm, barring
your stomach,
throwing the
head and body
backward.”
(ACTION):
“Master
strikes at your
head 1 with his
left; do 2 with
his right; at
your face, and 3
with his left,
the intended
blow.”
(RESPONSE):
“Parry the 1st
with your left;
2nd
with your right;
3rd
with your left,
your forearm
covering
ultimately your
stomach, and
throwing head
and body back.”
(ACTION):
“Master
strikes with his
right at your
head 1; left do
2; right at your
side, the
intended blow.”
(RESPONSE):
“Parry the 1st
with your left
forearm; 2nd
right forearm; 3rd
left elbow.”
Daniel
Mendoza art
lesson #4:
(ACTION):
“Master's
left strikes at
your face.”
(RESPONSE):
“Parry with your
right forearm,
and return with
his face with
your left, which
he catches in
his open hand.”
(ACTION):
“His right
strikes at your
face.”
(RESPONSE):
“Parry with your
left forearm,
and return at
his face with
his right do.”
(ACTION):
“Master's
left strikes at
your stomach.”
(RESPONSE):
“Stop by barring
with your right
forearm, and
return at his
face with your
left, which he
catches.”
(ACTION):
“His right
strikes at your
stomach.”
(RESPONSE):
“Stop by barring
with your left
forearm, and
return at his
face with your
right.”
(ACTION):
“Master's
left strikes at
your right
side.”
(RESPONSE):
“Stop by
catching the
blow on your
right elbow, and
return at his
face with your
left.”
(ACTION):
“His right
strikes at your
left side.”
(RESPONSE):
“Stop by
catching the
blow on your
left elbow, and
return at his
face with your
right.”
(ACTION):
“Master's
left chops at
your face.”
(RESPONSE):
“Parry with your
right forearm,
and return at
his face with
your right.”
Daniel
Mendoza art
lesson #5:
( COUNTER
ACTION):
“Master parries
with his left,
and riposts with
his left at your
face.”
(RESPONSE):
“Parry this
ripost by
catching his
wrist with your
left fist, and
striking a back
handed blow
across his face
with your left
hand.”
(COUNTER
ACTION): “1,
2, 3, at the
face, beginning
with the
left.... Master
will parry with
his right, and
ripost at your
stomach with his
left.”
(RESPONSE):
“Stop this with
your right
forearm, and
return with his
left to your
face.”
(COUNTER
ACTION): “1
at the face, 2
at the face, and
3 in the
stomach,
beginning with
your left,
keeping your
right fist
opposite his
face.”
(RESPONSE):
“This he will
stop with his
right, and
ripost the same
again, 1, 2, 3,
at your stomach,
which you must
bar.”
(COUNTER
ACTION):
“The scholar
strikes with his
left at the
face, the Master
parries with his
right, and
riposts with his
left at the
stomach.”
(RESPONSE):
“Knock the blow
down, and return
strait at the
face.”
Daniel
Mendoza art
sparring
lessons:
#1:
What if your
adversary aims
all round blows?
(RESPONSE):
“Which is
generally the
case with a man
ignorant of
Boxing, you
should strike
straight
forward, as a
direct line
reaches its
object sooner
than one that is
circular.”
#2:
What if your
adversary gives
way, or is
staggered by a
severe blow?
(RESPONSE):
“You should not
be anxious to
recover your
guard and stand
on the
defensive, as
this will be
only giving him
time to collect
himself, but
take advantage
of his momentary
confusion, and
follow up the
blow.”
#3:
What if you have
an arm reach
advantage over
your adversary?
(RESPONSE):
“You will have
an advantage, as
your guard will
keep him at a
distance, and as
your blows, by
reaching
farther, will be
struck with more
force.”
#4:
What if your
adversary has an
arm reach
advantage?
(RESPONSE):
“Your
superiority will
consist in close
fighting. You
must endeavour
to get within
the compass of
his arms, and
aim short strait
blows which will
reach him before
he can strike at
you, and if he
does strike at
you, his fists
will go over
your shoulder.”
Daniel
Mendoza (April
20, 1789): “If
any instructions
in the preceding
appear difficult
or obscure, I
shall be happy
to give every
necessary
explanation to
those who will
have the
goodness to
apply to me, for
that purpose, at
number 2,
Paradise Row,
Bethnal Green;
or number 4,
Capel Court,
behind the Royal
exchange.”
(NOTE: A
special thank
you to Hebrew
Union College,
Cincinnati,
Ohio, for their
assistance. -
CS).
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Mendoza was now of mixed mind about
pugilism. On the one hand, it was deemed as a dangerous
profession by the lowest of the low, in an English
society that reveres class. On the other hand, a fight
here or there, especially with gambling involved, would
place real money into his hands. Mendoza would leave
these skirmishes, slightly degraded by how he earned
this money, but also exhilarated by the audience and
attention. Mendoza would vow never to fight again and
then he would fight again.
Richard Humphreys was in a similar
bind. He was also concerned, maybe less so than Mendoza,
about the low social status that accompanied a pugilist.
He would also retire and then fight again. His situation
was different because of his fighter reputation. There
was a 'gunslinger' association attached to his name so
that to defeat him could make a name for another.
Humphreys would be challenged after vowing to never
fight again, but his pride and 'honor' would not accept
an insult, or anyone questioning his manhood. Humphreys
would accept any money to be had from a bout, any money
at all, but personal honor more than financial
compensation seemed to be of greater motivation.
Daniel Mendoza versus Richard
Dennis, a Groom. Prize: 1 guinea. Mendoza badly injured
his ankle in the 30 minute bout which he won. A relative
placed the prize money for Mendoza so the payout was:
the relative ½ guinea, corner man ½ crown, Mendoza 8
shillings. There was 3-4 months of recovery due to a
sprained ankle. During this recovery process he decided
to become a professional pugilist.
Daniel Mendoza versus William
Bryant, a Watch Spring Maker. Location: Islington.
Prize: None. Quite a crowd gathered for this bout. It
was a 30 minute fight, marred by low blows accusations
and it was ultimately ruled a Draw. No money was
exchanged, which understandably upset Mendoza, who
fought a 'free' bout.
Daniel Mendoza versus William
Nelson.... This would be a bout that would change
pugilism history. The bout itself was one of Mendoza's
best and would show him to be a worthy contender against
any opponent. Daniel Mendoza: “He was an uncommonly
large and powerful man in the prime of life, and fought
several hard battles.” Nelson began as a 7-1 favorite
and the odds placed him at 10-1 before the bout. Mendoza
eventually dominated in a 75 minute hard fought victory.
The pre-bout is where the real
action of this fight took place. Humphreys had protected
and worked with the 5'7, 165 pound, clever pugilist.
Humphrey's main patron, Mr. Elson, advanced 20 guineas
for Mendoza as his stake of the prize bet. Mendoza
accepted the money and then ignored Elson afterward.
Humphreys was embarrassed and angered. He had prepared
to train Mendoza at a residence on Epping Forest.
Mendoza claimed, as would become a lifelong habit, a
series of reasons to explain his behavior. At first,
Mendoza claimed that Humphreys was too difficult a
trainer, with much emphasis on physical conditioning,
while Mendoza insisted that his youth and science made
such work unnecessary. Then Mendoza claimed, it was not
actually the physical work, as much as the residence
itself. Mendoza insisted the place was overrun by
prostitutes, and the inevitable fights between clients
and prostitutes in the middle of the night, was
disruptive to his mental state. Mendoza would forever
claim it was a “training disagreement” but the dispute
revolved around money. Mendoza would not return any
money advanced by Humphreys' patron. Mendoza now claimed
that the 20 guineas was a 'gift' from an admirer. It
would be awhile, but eventually Mendoza was arrested and
jailed for theft of the money. Another patron of
Mendoza, Mr. G, eventually paid off the claims which
included punitive expenses. By then, Humphreys was the
most famous pugilist in England, while he remained
furious at Mendoza. The anger was returned by Mendoza,
now aimed at Humphreys, because he claimed --- well, who
knows what logic Mendoza had convinced himself --- but
he had been arrested and embarrassed and chose to view
himself as the victim.
Mendoza fought again in Northampton,
a 90 minute bout, that found him victorious. The battle
concluded with the larger pugilist unable to stand.
Mendoza does not mention the prize money involved, but
the local pugilist held some sort of reputation, so that
the victory extended the fame and esteem held by others.
Mendoza had only one bout on his mind, against the
pugilist who had defeated him, Tom Tyne.
Daniel Mendoza versus Tom Tyne II.
Location: Surrey, near Croyden. Prize: 20 guineas a
side. Mendoza had actively sought out Tyne to avenge his
only defeat. Daniel Mendoza: “For having fought with
uncommon shyness and maneuvering for near an hour, he
gave in, having received several severe blows in the
course of the battle, which all his dexterity could not
prevent.” One of the highlights of Mendoza's life, along
with the celebration that followed, was thwarted by
Richard Humphreys on a celebratory visit to Roe Buck in
Aldgate. Mendoza had not yet been imprisoned or fined by
the court for having cheated Humphreys' patron.
Humphreys began with verbal threats before challenging
Mendoza to fight him on the spot. Mendoza refused. So
Humphreys grabbed Mendoza in an attempt to encourage
fisticuffs. Mendoza again refused and walked away.
Mendoza had retained his composure in front of Humphreys
but was badly shaken by the encounter. Daniel Mendoza:
“(Humphreys) behaviour to me was rude and contemptuous,
and he seemed very desirous of provoking me to strike
him; for after using scurrilous and abusive language, he
seized me by the collar, and tore my shirt with much
violence.”
It would be Richard Humphreys, now
the most famous and feared pugilist in England, that
would increase his fame and place pugilism back on the
map as a popular sport. The bout was held on May 3,
1786, at Newmarket. Humphreys was the favorite, as the
slightly larger pugilist, and he ultimately dominated
the 45 minute contest. More important than any prize
money for the pugilists were the 40,000 pounds wagered
through gambling. This bout was apparently fair, but
with so much money at stake, the wheels would be placed
into motion to alter future boxing bouts. Pierce Egan:
“Humphries (s.i.c.) was considered a most distinguished
pugilist: he was so attractive as to revive pugilism,
which had been on the decline for some time.... The
set-to was witnessed by their Royal Highness, the Prince
of Wales, the Duke of York, the Duke of Orleans, and
most of the French nobility then in England.... The
amateurs were highly gratified, and both pugilists
established their fame, but more particularly Humphries
(s.i.c.).” Other factors which would be significant
later is the discomfort that Humphreys felt from his
fame. He did not feel comfortable in the presence of
royalty, so while a King George III might like and
admire Humphreys, they could not develop a personal
relationship. The other factor was that while Martin,
the Bath Butcher, was on the losing end of the contest,
there was still fame to be gained through the pre-bout
hype and anticipation.
A wealthy patron, Mister Tring,
approached Mendoza to engage for money in a publicized
bout against, Martin the Bath Butcher. The official
prize would be for 50 pounds, but with much money in
betting stakes, could make considerably more. The bout,
held at Shephard's Bush on April 17, 1787, outside
Surrey, lasted 26 minutes with the smaller Mendoza
winning fairly easily. Daniel Mendoza: “Several
gentlemen, who won money on the contest, were also
pleased to reward my exertions in a very liberal manner,
by which means I suddenly came into possession of wealth
far beyond what I ever expected to be Master of, having
received altogether considerably more than 1000 pounds.”
Mendoza visited Epping, 1787, to
enjoy the local fair. As he checked into an Inn he was
surprised to find Humphreys waiting for his arrival.
Humphreys, still enraged over the Nelson bout and his
patron taken advantage, so he again challenged Mendoza
to fight him on the spot. Mendoza admits that he became
angered and launched a verbal assault against his one
time mentor. Humphreys returned the verbal abuse. At
that, Mendoza had decided they were even and all should
be forgiven and forgotten. Humphreys disagreed and
repeated his demand that they fight that moment. Mendoza
says that he was outnumbered and would only consider
such a confrontation if it were within the rules of
boxing. The situation worsened, and whether official or
a street brawl, blows were exchanged. Peace Officers
arrived and broke up the fight. The good for Mendoza, as
he had been secretly intimidated by Humphreys size and
strength and reputation, was a confidence that he could
defeat his former mentor if they fought under the Jack
Broughton Rules in an official pugilism encounter
capacity. Daniel Mendoza: “I now felt confident that
even though he was my superior in strength and size, I
was fully equal to him in activity and knowledge of the
art of pugilism.”
Daniel Mendoza, now possessing fame
after his victory over Martin the Bath Butcher, fought
his only recorded bout against a Black pugilist around
this time. The pugilist was the servant of Colonel
George Hanger, the eccentric soldier/writer, outdoors,
sporting man. Mendoza battled someone of enough fame
that the outcome earned him 200 pounds. Daniel Mendoza:
“(The Black pugilist) had acquired great repute for his
skill in pugilism. In about 20 minutes, however, I
evinced such a decided superiority over him, that he
declined continuing the contest.”
A newly domesticated Mendoza had
established enough of a pugilist reputation to open his
own boxing school, Capel Court. He also married at this
time and promised his wife that he would never bare
knuckle fight for money ever again. His sparring academy
would teach self-defense techniques and training,
students and Mendoza himself would wear padded gloves,
with open compliance and respect for English law.
Richard Humphreys character, which
was usually written about in positive terms, showed
another side on December 19th, 1787, while he
acted as corner man for Champion Tom Johnson. Mendoza
worked with them as the bottle holder. Johnson was
facing a pugilist named Ryan, who was revered enough to
be a 3-2 favorite as the bout began. After 20 minutes of
Ryan domination he landed a blow which appeared
staggered Johnson. Humphreys entered the ring illegally
and held onto Ryan. The Ryan camp, understandably
claimed a disqualification foul. Humphreys claimed that
Johnson could only lose by falling to the ground which
he had prevented. The gambling had much to do with the
allowance of cheating. By the time that Ryan had agreed
to continue the bout, with a delay of 20 minutes, he
appeared demoralized and was easily vanquished.
January 9th, 1788....
Richard Humphreys versus Daniel Mendoza
LOCATION: Odiham, Hampshire. PRIZE:
400 guineas. Crowd: Thousands. Each was to pay ½ guinea,
but the spectators eventually burst through. The
fighting ring is a 24 foot raised stage. Humphreys
corner man was Tom Johnson. Mendoza corner man was David
Benjamin. Humphreys wears flannel shorts with silk
stockings.
ROUND 1: They began with mutual
feints. Pierce Egan: “Mendoza felt no terrors from the
proud fame of his antagonist.” Mendoza finally lands a
hard blow, loses his balance on the slippery surface,
before he falls onto his back.
ROUNDS 2-3: The gambling odds now
favor Mendoza. He has scored both a knock down and throw
down.
ROUND 10: The bout is surprisingly
one sided as Mendoza dominates with several knockdowns.
There was an incident with Mendoza driving Humphreys
back to the ropes and in trouble but corner man,
Johnson, intervened and the round came to an abrupt
halt. Mendoza patrons shouted: “Foul,” but the Umpires
disagreed.
ROUND 15ish: Somewhere in this area
it appears that the betting odds have evened again.
Mendoza struggles with the slippery surface. Humphreys
handles the adverse conditions better, and as his
traction is better his confidence grows. His blows begin
to land until he picks up Mendoza and throws him on his
head. Pierce Egan: “Mendoza was thrown, and in falling
pitched upon his face; his forehead was dreadfully cut
just above the right eye, and his nose assumed a
different shape.”
ROUND (?? – somewhere around the 20th
minute): It is a brutal fight with sparring and much
action. Mendoza appears to have the upper hand with his
counter punches. He is also successfully tiring his foe.
ROUND (?? – somewhere around the 25th
minute): Mendoza has regained momentum and control.
Mendoza steps forward as Humphreys appears in trouble
and is backed against the ropes. Mendoza grabs Humphreys
in an attempt to throw him. Humphreys has grasped the
rail holding the ropes in place. Mendoza loses balance
as he grabs an opponent who has a tight hold on the
rail. Humphreys releases his rail grip and now clutches
Mendoza. Humphreys throws the 5'7 pugilist hard onto his
head.... This would be the turning point in the bout.
Mendoza is groggy and seriously injured.
(ROUND (?? – somewhere around the 26th
and 27th minute): Both pugilists are tired.
Mendoza is the more seriously wounded, but an exhausted
Humphreys cannot finish off his opponent.
ROUND (?? – somewhere around the 28th
minute): Mendoza attempts to remain aggressive and
landed a hard blow to the face. But Humphreys has
regained control and lands a hard 3 punch combination,
two punches to the ribs and one to the neck. Mendoza
backs from the onslaught, his leg loses traction and he
falls again. Pierce Egan: “The Jew reeling fell with his
leg under him, sprained his ancle (ankle), and was
reluctantly compelled to acknowledge the superiority of
the Christian.” The bout was halted at just under 29
minutes.
Richard Humphreys was now a
celebrity and hero throughout much of England. There
were Humphreys mugs, Humphreys embroidery, Humphreys
prints by merchants anxious to cash in on the star of
the moment. Richard Humphreys was a modest man who had
not anticipated the fame and idolation. Humphreys had
settled the score with a one time friend, against a
talented and clever foe, and he was ready to retire from
pugilism for good. That was the deal that had been
agreed upon by Mendoza. The grudge needed to be settled,
which it had, and then they would respect the mutual
family desire to quit the sordid world of pugilism for
honest labor.
While many of these mugs, fabrics,
paper releases featured Humphreys alone it was the
'action' releases that titillated the public fancy. The
'pitched' battle, offered as a modern epic encounter,
between the muscled and chiseled features of the
victorious Humphreys towering over the smaller, thinner,
defeated pugilist, Daniel Mendoza. Far from shame, but
maybe some embarrassment, the losing pugilist saw
financial opportunity in his defeat. While Humphreys had
quietly retired, it was a surprise for him to read the
newspaper one day to find his own name prominently
posted for public consumption, that did not impugn his
personal character or conduct but disputed the victory.
Mendoza, that you will not take any
liberties with my name.”
Mendoza: “And I desire, Mister
Humphreys, you will not make too familiar with mine.”
Humphreys: “When you are well, I
shall take you by the collars, as I did once before.”
Mendoza: “And I, Sir, shall not turn
my back on you.”
Humphreys: “I find, after all, that
I have come here for nothing.”
Daniel Mendoza asked in a sharp tone
if Humphreys had paid admission along with his friends.
Humphreys said he had paid the 1 shilling. Mendoza
dramatically waved his hands to an assistant and told
him to refund their money while he took care of
important business. Humphreys sat back down in his seat
and waited. After a bit, Humphreys again stepped onto
the stage and demanded that Mendoza return. The group
was told that Mendoza had left the building. I doubt
they received any refund, and by now Humphries had
confirmed what he had long suspected. He had challenged
and humiliated Mendoza in front of a crowd that included
royalty a month earlier. Now, he had challenged and
humiliated Mendoza again at his own academy in front of
another audience and his 8 pupils.
Richard Humphreys (The World –
8/7/1788): “I am therefore convinced that spite all his
pretensions, the man never meant to fight me, and I
hereby declare him a coward.... Richard Humphreys.”
Daniel Mendoza (The World –
8/8/1788): “Mister Humphreys has taken the freedom of
calling me a coward. I regard my own duty to the publick
too much, Sir, to disgust them by retaliating in the
same coarse language.... I remain, Sir, your obedient
humble servant, Daniel Mendoza.” Mendoza awaited the
next published reply by his nemesis. Humphreys
disappointed him by no longer participating in public
newspaper correspondence. Never at a loss for words,
Mendoza began writing and preparing a book about
sparring theory while telling his side on the war of
words between the two pugilists.
Daniel Mendoza (The World –
1/12/1788): “On occasion my strength and spirits were
superior to my adversary's, till the last fall but two,
when I fell directly on my head, and by the force
pitched quite over. I then found myself much hurt in the
loins, indeed so much that it was with extreme
difficulty I could stand upright, and, by the last fall
I received, was rendered wholly incapable of standing,
indeed I was scarcely able to breathe, and it was with
great difficulty that I could sit on the knee of my
second. When Johnson asked me if I had done, I could
only answer him by a sign. By this outward accident
alone, I lost a battle, on which my warmest hopes were
fixed.... Yours, D Mendoza.”
Richard Humphreys (The World –
1/13/1788): “Previous to the battle between Mr. Mendoza
and myself, that whether I was beaten, or I beat him, I
would never fight again, yet as in his address to the
publick, through the medium of your paper, he has
insinuated that in his late contest with me at Odiham,
his being beaten was the mere effect of accident, I do
now declare that I am ready to meet him, at any time not
exceeding 3 months from the present date.... Richard
Humphreys”
Richard Humpreys was understandably
incredulous at any claim that he not soundly and fairly
defeated his opponent. The injured pugilist accepted a
'quit' and that should end their feud. Only after the
fact, in a public forum, did Humphreys receive news that
his opponent claim otherwise. Humphreys read, along with
the public, that he was actually dominated rather easily
for the vast majority of the bout. Humphreys reads,
along with the public, that it was an an accident, or
two accidents, or several accidents, that brought upon
the result. Humphreys read, along with the public, that
it was not a legal throw down that caused Mendoza's
injury, but the ground that actually won the bout.
Humphreys picked up his opponent and threw him on his
head. That is fair and legal and what a pugilist is
supposed to execute in a fight. Humphreys read, along
with the public, that maybe it was not the throw down,
or the ground, or the follow up throw down of an injured
pugilist that decided the outcome, but a corner man (or
both corner men) misunderstanding Mendoza's intentions
and accidentally stopping the fight. Mendoza offered
'proof', via The World, that it was the result of an
unforeseeable accident, and not Humphreys, that
prematurely concluded this fight.
Dr. Henry Saffory, surgeon, friend
of Mendoza, who was not at the fight: “I visited Mr.
Daniel Mendoza this morning (January 10th),
on his return from Odiham.... I do declare, from every
appearance, that it was impossible for him any longer to
maintain a conflict, in which he was so severely hurt.
The feat of his complaint is in his loins; and I have no
doubt but the excruciating pain he must have
experienced, was sufficient to deprive him of the
ability to stand.” Mendoza had claimed it was a head
injury that stopped the fight. The 'proof' now claims it
was a lower back region injury that had stopped the
fight. Now both doctor and Mendoza claim that, even
though it was their side that had demanded an instant
rematch, it was now unreasonable of Humphreys to suggest
a 3 month time line to heal and fight again.
The only problem with the doctor's
note, though this would not slow Mendoza, is that it
conflicted with his insistence that his own umpire,
Mister Moravia, had conspired against him, by declaring
the bout prematurely over with Humphreys as winner.
Mendoza had also insisted that both corner men, Benjamin
and Johnson, had accidentally misinterpreted his hand
signals, and declared the bout incorrectly as over.
Mendoza also insisted it was head trauma, with equal
insistence that it was a body condition, that had forced
him to quit. According to Mendoza, it was everything
except Richard Humphreys, that had defeated him at
Odiham.
Daniel Mendoza (The World –
1/16/1788): “The right of odds may very fairly be
expected, both from the recent victory of Mr. Humphreys,
and the opinion which the friends of that gentleman to
warmly support, of his superior skill in the art of
Boxing.... The time of fighting it is impossible to
mention, since the injury I have received may continue
its effect to a distant period. But the moment I am
relieved from that complaint, and declared capable by
the gentleman who now attends me, I shall cheerfully
step forward and appoint the day.... The time of which
was limited by my reply being 1 week, is a circumstance,
that will not impress the publick with any additional
opinion, either of the courage or candour of Mr.
Humphreys.... I remain, Sir, your obedient servant,
Daniel Mendoza.”
Richard Humphreys (The World –
1/20/1788): “Yet I cannot help remarking that neither
Mr. Mendoza nor his friends seemed decided where they
should fix this unlucky disaster. At first, it was his
ancle (ankle); and then there were people who could have
sworn they saw 3 of his bones come out. The disorder
moved gradually to his hips, from whence, lest it be
mistaken for a rheumatic complaint, it is settled, with
most excruciating pain in the loins; where I am aware it
may abide as long as he finds it convenient.... Richard
Humphreys.”
Daniel Mendoza (The World - 1/24/1788): "The opportunity
of gouging, and the practice of the unmanly arts, being
totally away done away with in a scientific display of
boxing, should operate as assistant inducement to Mr.
Humphreys to accept my challenge.... Mr. Humphreys is
afraid, he dares not meet me as a boxer. He retires with
the fullest convictions of his want of scientific
knowledge.... I remain, Sir, yours, Daniel Mendoza."
Richard Humphreys (The Printer - 1/26/1788): "It is my
determination, not to enter into the particulars of his
last letter, though replete with evasion, absurdity and
falsehood. Thus much do I venture to pronounce though no
critick - a character in which Mr. Mendoza has, in the
opinion of everyone, very unsuccessfully aimed at. Some
fame as a boxer, I flatter myself, I am entitled to....
I am ready to meet him; and with his immediate and
unreserved acceptance or refusal of these terms, shall
end our literary intercourse. Mr. Mendoza says I am
afraid of him; the only favour I have to beg is, that he
or any of his friends will be kind enough to tell me so
personally, and spare me the trouble of seeking them....
Richard Humphreys."
Daniel Mendoza (The Printer - 1/27/1788): "Mr. Humphreys
would do well to insert this challenge in his family
memorandum book; and as a teacher of the art of boxing,
it would not be amiss to have it well penned, neatly
framed, and hung up in his truly Scientific Academy.....
I remain, Sir, your humble servant, D Mendoza."
Richard Humphreys became a victim, not so much from a
pugilist, as a literary stalker. A modest man, who has
enjoyed the fame and adulation of a celebrated victory,
now discovered the darker side of public celebrity. His
name and reputation appeared to be public domain. There
lacked any sensible response to the allegations of a
defeated foe. Humpreys emotions ran the gamut from anger
to sarcasm. Mendoza was ever bolder and seemingly
empowered by any published reply to his lengthy
dissections of their previous pugilist encounter.
Humpreys does not believe that Mendoza is stricken with
illness. Humphreys kept his promise, to Mendoza's
disappointment, as he no longer replied to any newspaper
attacks. Humphreys has any doubt removed, in his own
mind, that it is all an elaborate publicity stunt when
he encounters a surprised Mendoza while attending a
boxing event. It has been over 5 months since the
original public challenge and simultaneous claim of
injury. Humphreys sees a healthy and outwardly nervous
man, so bold in newspaper print, but more timid in
person.
Daniel Mendoza: "On Monday the 9th
of June, when not withstanding an ill fate of health, I
ventured to go down to Swithia (or Smitham) Bottom, near
Creydon (Surrey), in order to see the battles that were
to take place between Jackson and Fewterell, and Crabbe
and Watson. At this time I was surprised at being called
into the ring by Mister Humphreys, who asked if I meant
to fight him or not? And told me that, if it was out of
my power to raise the money required (250 guineas), he
would fight me for love.... I could not help imputing
Mister Humphreys behaviour on this occasion to a desire
of taking an unfair advantage, either by provoking me to
fight when unable to sustain the conflict, or by
endeavoring to impress the publick, if I declined
accepting the challenge on the spot, with an idea of my
never having seriously entertained any intention of
meeting him."
The
fight of that day involving John Jackson and Fewterel
would involve a pugilist that would become an important
part of the Mendoza legacy. Jackson's corner man was Tom
Johnson. Fewtere's corner men were Warr and Dunn.
Richard Humphreys officiated and acted as bottle holder.
It was likely from the stage that Humphreys called out
Mendoza, and embarrassed him in front of an audience
that included royalty. Jackson, aged 19, from
Metropolis, dominated the bout over the Birmingham hero.
Pierce Egan: "The contest lasted a few minutes above an
hour; but Fewterel was considerably punished before he
gave in. His royal highness, the Prince of Whales, was
much pleased with the intrepidity displayed by Jackson,
and acknowledged it to the latter by a small present."
Richard Humphreys increased the
pressure on Mendoza, to fight or shut up, on July 5th,
by entering Mendoza's Capel Court Academy and taking a
seat to watch the gloved boxing exhibitions. Several
friends accompanied Humphreys, all paying the same
entrance fee, and they would have seen a stage in middle
of the room that stood four inches off the ground, steel
rail guards on each side, with several rows of benches.
Whether Mendoza knew of his nemesis appearance is
unclear (he likely was informed), so Humphreys finally
stepped onto the stage and demanded an appearance by the
owner. Student pugilists and audience members were more
stunned than riotous over the chaos. Daniel Mendoza
finally stepped out, appearing healthy, with a forced
smile. Mendoza repeated his regrets that ill health
continued to delay any official pugilist confrontation.
Once again, Humphreys offered to fight Mendoza on the
spot for free. Once again, Mendoza declined.
Humphreys: "I want to know, Mister Mendoza, whether you
will fight me on the first of October?"
Mendoza: "I am not at all, Sir, in a condition for
fighting.... You cannot suppose, Mister Humphreys, that
I am afraid of you?"
Humphreys: "You seem to feel some palpitation."
Mendoza: "And you, Sir, seem, if not afraid, at least
unwilling, to engage with several persons who wished to
fight you."
Humphreys: "That is not the question. I wish to fight no
person but yourself; and as I am going into the country,
I want first to learn, whether you will fight me, or
not?"
Mendoza: "When I can I will."
Humphreys: "When?"
Mendoza: "By its being thought by my friends that I am
in proper condition. Everybody must see at present I am
very ill. Not that I have received any harm from you,
but from other causes."
Humphreys: "No, the harm that you will receive from me
will be the next time that we fight.... But I desire
that in the future, Mister Daniel Mendoza: "For thus
insulting me in my own Academy, and in a state of
illness, without provocation and without necessity, what
apology, even had it been offered, could be admitted in
excuse? Mister Humphreys could not affect to be ignorant
of my indisposition, as many of the papers had but the
week before stated that he was in the country, and that
I had taken lodgings out of town on account of extreme
ill health."
The
following month Mendoza penned a personal letter to
Humphreys stating that he would be ready to fight at
Newmarket in the Spring of 1789. Mendoza wrote that all
he wished was a written contract stating the terms of
the bout. Humphreys did not want a set of written rules,
but felt that Mendoza was likely involved in another
ploy to avoid an actual fight. Not wanting to provide
further ammunition and excuses for Mendoza to claim
default he agreed to a written contract.
From: Bernard's Inn
To:
Mister Mendoza, number 4, Cable Court
"(11/15/1788) Mendoza, I have receiv'd your letter and
shall meet you at the time and place appointed --- when
I hope to find that you are earnest and that I am not
again to be trifled with.... Yours, R Humphreys."
On November 22nd,
Mendoza's Capel Court Academy was raided by a couple of
city marshals who shut down the operation as illegal.
For Mendoza, this was his earning subsistence, and he
had a large family to feed. Daniel Mendoza: "The
exhibition of sparring could be proved of personal
injury to no man; for it displays all the art of boxing,
without any of its danger. It could not be objected to
as encouraging idleness, without subjecting plays,
concerts, paintings, and all other publick amusements to
a similar charge.... If this be an illegal act, why were
neither Mister Humphreys nor I taken into custody, when
we entered the stage of Covent Garden theatre, for the
same purpose?"
Four days later, on November 26th,
the articles of agreement were finally signed by both
pugilists. The bout was officially set for May, 1789.
Each pugilist surrendered 20 pounds to T Hotchkins, for
the eventual winner or either pugilist if the other
backs out. Mendoza insisted on a couple of clauses. One
was that everyone who wished to witness the bout would
have to pay a fee. The other was to discourage corner
men from entering the ring. Humphreys insisted on only
one clause, deeply suspicious of Mendoza and his antics,
that any fall to the ground without being struck would
be regarded as an automatic disqualification. Humphreys
was concerned that Mendoza might strike him, back away a
step or two and place an intentional knee to the ground,
thus ending the round without having the ability to
counter punch. Mendoza was responsible for much of the
language for this clause and it would turn out to be
very important: "If either person falls without
receiving a blow, he is to lose the battle, unless such
fall should be deemed by the Umpires (one for each
pugilist) accidental."
February 11th, 1789,
held the rematch between Champion Tom Johnson and Ryan,
the Bath Butcher. Humphreys was again the corner man
while John Jackson was the bottle holder. The same as
their previous encounter, Ryan dominated with hard blows
and appeared to have victory within his grasp. Humphreys
began to interfere with insults and the like which
greatly irritated Ryan. After 33 minutes, both pugilists
disfigured, Ryan surrendered. Ryan was one of the best
pugilists of his time, maybe the best, the betting
favorite who dominated the Champion twice, but the
cheating by Humphreys protected the Tom Johnson legacy
while Ryan would be forgotten by history. There was much
money at stake for these high profile bouts. But there
was not an equity in prize money for pugilism. It was
smart, rich people manipulating others into fighting.
The real money was in gambling and then being dishonest
in cheating the outcome. FOLLOW THE MONEY does not take
you to the boxers - it takes you to the King. The
pugilists, and especially the corner men, must accept
the brunt of criticism for any wrong doing, but it was
instigated and encouraged by people outside the ring
wagering thousands of pounds while the pugilists were
officially earning guineas.
John Jackson
On March 12th, 1789,
John Jackson fought George Ingleston, the Brewer at
Essex. Jackson's corner man was pugilist, Benjamin
Brain. Jackson dominated the first 3 rounds. During the
4th round, Jackson slipped on the slippery
surface and fell to the ground. He had dislocated his
ankle and broken a bone in his leg. No longer able to
stand, he offered to be strapped down, if Ingleston
agreed to similar treatment, and the bout could
continue. Ingleston refused and was declared the victor.
Pierce Egan: "There was no alternative left for him
(Jackson), but to give in, it being impossible for a man
to continue the fight, who could not stand."
On April 20th, 1789,
for a price of 5 shillings, Daniel Mendoza published The
Art Of Boxing, the first pugilist to release written
theory on sparring techniques. Mendoza would not realize
it at the time, but this plea about the improper closing
of his academy would forever cement his place in
history. The Daniel Mendoza introduction would state the
book's goal: "To explain with perspicuity, the Science
of Pugilism, and to lay before my readers, a fair
statement of facts, relative to the battle which is
shortly about to take place between Mister Humphreys and
myself."
Daniel Mendoza, The Art Of
Boxing: "The knowledge of an art, though not perhaps the
most elegant, is certainly the most useful species of
defense. To render it not totally devoid of elegance
has, however, been my present aim, and the ideas of
coarseness and vulgarity which are naturally attached to
the science of pugilism.... Boxing is a national mode of
combat, and is as peculiar to the inhabitants of this
country as fencing to the French.... The 1st
principle to be established in Boxing is, to be
perfectly master of the equilibrium of the body.... The
2nd principle to be established is, the
position of the body."
Daniel Mendoza, The Art Of Boxing: "Mister Humphreys
merit as a pugilist cannot be doubted; as a member of
society, his general conduct is represented - and I
firmly believe with justice - to be manly, liberal and
respectful.... As to the insinuations thrown out against
me by others, I can only say, that the time of my next
engagement with Mister Humphreys will soon arrive, and
that their truth or falsehood will be ascertained by the
meanness of spirit of my conduct on the day of battle."
May 6th, 1789....
Richard Humphreys vs. Daniel Mendoza II
The
anticipation and build up had created an event. A
building had been constructed in Mister Thornton's Park
at Stilton that was 48 feet in circumference. It held a
sold out 3000 paying customers. The media build-up for
the fight, back and forth taunting remarks, were
revolutionary at the time. Much of the credit belongs to
Mendoza, along with the appeal never before so
advertised that this would be a fighter versus boxer
confrontation. The corner man for Mendoza was Captain
Brown. The corner man for Humphreys was Tom Johnson.
ROUND 1: Humphreys is offensive and aggressive as he
throws a punch to the face. Mendoza blocks the punch and
counters with a punch that scores a knockdown.... It is
a great start for Mendoza with a maneuver straight out
of his book.
ROUNDS 2-3: Mendoza is dominating at this early point.
All 3 rounds find Humphreys throwing the first punch
with a Mendoza block and counter that sends him to the
ground..... Pierce Egan: "It soon began to appear that
the Jew possessed considerable confidence in his own
powers." Mendoza's dominance was apparent. Humphreys was
confused and tiring at a rapid pace.
ROUND 22: The dominance was so complete that Humphreys
found himself defensive and backing. Mendoza threw a
punch that spooked Humphreys into some sort of defensive
block as he fell to the ground.... Mendoza claims that
Humphreys was not struck, and per the rules agreement,
this should be a disqualifying foul with the bout over.
Mendoza's umpire, an attorney named Harvey Christian
Coombe, agreed and declared Mendoza the winner.....
Humphreys insists that he deflected the punch as he
fell. Tom Johnson becomes irate and yells at their
umpire, Sir Thomas Apreece, to rule that the bout should
continue.... The spirit of the rule, requested by
Humphreys himself, was that any no contact knockdown
would be ruled a disqualification. But the actual
language "unless such fall should be deemed by the
Umpires accidental," made it difficult for Apreece to
rule that Humphries had intentionally fallen. Added was
the intensity of an enraged Tom Johnson and an
increasing hostile crowd that did not want the bout to
end in such a disqualification.... For 20 minutes, chaos
had erupted, Captain Brown offering to kick Tom Johnson
while calling him verbal names.... The rule that no one
should enter the ring was violated by both sides.
Apreece was letting it be known that he was going to
rule that he would not rule. If the bout were to stop,
which Apreece leaned toward as the best solution, it
would be officially declared a Draw.... Mendoza felt he
was close to victory, even though the long rest must
have assisted Humphreys, so he voluntarily agreed to
wave any dispute on his part so that the bout could
continue.
ROUNDS 23-24: The results of both rounds are the same
with Mendoza sending Humphreys to the ground with some
sort of knockdown. Humphreys was likely refreshed with
the rest and decided to go all out with an offensive
knockout. Mendoza would easily counter the telegraphed
punches.
ROUND 25: An exhausted Humphreys was a one-eyed
pugilist, with a disfigured face, and lacerations on the
forehead and lips. Mendoza was still fresh with only a
cut to the cheek to suggest that he had been in a fight.
Humphreys fell to the ground again untouched. This time
both umpires ruled that the fall was intentional and the
bout was declared over.... Pierce Egan: "Mendoza had put
in some tremendous hits, and in following them up,
Humphries (s.i.c.) retreated and fell; when Dan, without
the slightest murmur was deemed the conqueror."
On October 22nd, 1789,
Tom Johnson defended his Championship crown again with
another example of cheating. Joe and Bill Ward were his
corner men. The opponent was an enormous pugilist named
Isaac Perrins, from Birmingham, who stood at 6'2 and
outweighed Johnson by more than 40 pounds. Perrins had
earned a fame as a quick knockout artist who defeated a
series of opponents in under 5 minutes. Their battle was
brutal, Perrins scoring the harder blows, until Johnson
began to back and intentionally fell to the ground
untouched. The bout should have been declared over, but
the Umpires ruled that falling down intentionally was
legal. (They would have ruled otherwise had it been
Perrins falling down). After 62 rounds, with Perrins
exhausted, the bout was declared over with Johnson
declared victor. Once again, gambling was the major
culprit of the dishonesty. The ultimate money outcome
was Isaac Perrins earning 267 pounds, Tom Johnson
earning 1,533 pounds, while a gambler named Johnson
earned 19,000 pounds.
The 3rd and final bout
between Mendoza and Humphreys took place at Doncaster,
on an inn lawn surrounded by houses, September 29, 1790.
Several hundred paid ½ guinea while many more entered
for free utilizing a river and other vulnerable spots.
The corner man for Mendoza was Champion Tom Johnson. The
bottle holder was Butcher. The corner man for Humphreys
was Bill Ward. The bottle holder was John Jackson.
Pierce Egan: "Money was a secondary consideration in
this case. Towering fame was attached to the issue of
the contest."
Fame was not a consideration for Humphreys, but pride
and personal ego were important. The most important
aspect, at least for later, was the strategy employed by
Bill Ward and John Jackson. It is important that they
were strategic at all. It meant that this 'science' and
'art' talk of Daniel Mendoza could not be ignored. A
counter strategy would have to be employed. Ward and
Jackson realized that Mendoza preferred a sparring
contest from a certain distance with the 'tiring' of an
opponent a key component. The counter strategy to defeat
the 'science' was to rush Mendoza and prevent him from
sparring. The aim would be an early knockout. Richard
Humphreys trained as he never had before, with grueling
physical exercise. They would seemingly be aided by
Mendoza distracted with other financial opportunities,
perhaps over confident, and not bothering with physical
training (which he despised). When the two pugilists met
for the final battle, with Humphreys having lost weight,
while Mendoza was noticeably heavier, their previous
physical disparity was not as obvious.
The bout would be embarrassingly
one sided. Humphreys was energetic as he entered the
ring and through the first 2 rounds, but he was already
tiring by the time of his knock down to conclude the 3rd
set. As the bout progressed, it appears a pall set in
with the realization that the proud Humphreys could not
win. The odds that favored Mendoza at the onset, 5-4,
had altered to 8-1, and then 10-1. Humphreys was a
one-eyed fighter that was openly falling to the ground
untouched. The bout could have been halted at this
obvious infraction, but the decision was made by all to
allow Humphreys to continue. Friends of Humphreys urged
him to quit, as did Tom Johnson, but Humphreys
momentarily refused. Mendoza had cuts and abrasions to
his left eye and side of face from the Humphreys right
fist. He had bruised right ribs from the Humphreys left
fist. But Humphreys could barely see out of a closing
left eye. His right eye had been closed early in the
bout. His nose and lips appeared disfigured as they
bled. The inevitable finally became reality as Richard
Humphreys conceded defeat and collapsed. Friends would
carry Richard Humphreys though the crowd for care and
safety. A victorious Mendoza, despite the Pierce Egan
hyperbole words to suggest otherwise, stepped over to
check on the money.
Daniel Mendoza: "Whatever reason I might conceive myself
entitled to complain of (Humphreys) conduct towards me
at different periods, his general conduct and demeanor
were such as reflected great credit on him, and
deservedly gained him the esteem of the publick, by whom
he was always considered and treated as a respectable
member of society. I feel a satisfaction in rendering
justice to the memory of a powerful though unsuccessful
opponent."
1790 was a touring year for Daniel Mendoza. It was
almost like the acting theater dream he had entertained
years earlier. Only now, the character he would be
playing was the strategist sparrer who had vanquished
the great Humphreys. Mendoza had retired again, honoring
the family desires, but with each payday seemed to be in
worse shape financially. Mendoza was expansive over his
boxing greatness, but rather subdued when it came to
discussing his family or what was he doing with his all
his money. Mendoza would only write that with 11 kids,
and other family members sponging off of him, along with
his bad habit of borrowing at a high interest payment,
that it had hemorrhaged his funds and left him severely
in debt.
Tom Johnson
January 17th, 1791,
was the official end of the Tom Johnson era, as he
finally lost a bout that no one could help him to cheat.
Tom Johnson's bottle holder was Mendoza. Benjamin
Brain's bottle holder was Richard Humphreys. Brain, 38
years old, dominated early on while a desperate Johnson
began to pull and hold onto his opponent's hair. After
20 minutes it was over with Brain as the victor. The
hair pulling, and the gambling losses for others
destroyed Johnson's reputation overnight. Neither Brain
or Johnson ever fought again. Brain was dead 3 years
later, while Johnson, from hero to pariah, lost
everything and was dead 6 years later. The published
historical legacy of Daniel Mendoza, if it is to be
believed, is that Benjamin Brain won the English
heavyweight Championship in 1791, over Tom Johnson.
Brain retired and this vacated the title. Somehow, the
vacant title of Champion was blessed upon Mendoza. He
would fight twice in defense of his championship, both
times against "William Warr" and was successful on both
occasions. Then he battled Gentleman John Jackson for
the Championship in 1795, when Jackson cleverly
outsmarted the written rules by holding Mendoza by the
hair while beating him senseless. (Historians, so
lacking in fresh insight sometimes, all add the same
ridiculous aside: "Boxers have never worn long hair
since,"even with the eventual emergence of padded gloves
for professional bouts). John Jackson is listed as the
English Champion of 1795-1800, when I suppose he
ultimately retired from retirement, and it tidied
history by forcing a logical sequence.
I
should mention the decision by myself, for the sake of
the article being published this century, that a
decision had to be made as to the spelling of the names
"Richard Humphreys" and "Bill Ward". The former has
"Richard Humphries", "Richard Humphrys", "Richard
Humphrey", while the latter has even more unusual
spellings (my favorite is "William Wharff") from which
to select. I chose Daniel Mendoza's spellings of each
pugilist. Mendoza was a literate man and Humphreys was
once one of his closest associates, through friendship
and hatred. For the latter, I give Pierce Egan much
credit for attempting such a difficult project, a sort
of Vasari of Boxing, with so many pugilists to juggle
and identify. It is a masterpiece 3-volume literary
work, but with his own admitted confusion of mixing
identities and pugilist names. There were two Ward
brothers, a consistent part of the boxing scene of the
late 1780's and early 1790's. Egan sort of battles
himself as to which is which and whom is whom. Daniel
Mendoza was more intimately familiar with "Bill Ward"
and that is how he spelled the name while Egan mixes his
spellings, including "Bill Ward" as late as 1821. So
these were my spelling choices for publication.
Daniel Mendoza spent much of the early 1790's in jail:
"A prisoner within rules of the King's bench." Mendoza
even fought a 10 minute bout inside jail against a
prisoner named, Hadlam. The price of his freedom were
the Bill Ward bouts. King George III, with add on of
eccentricity, mental illness, 'whims', the privilege of
being King, wanted his own private Champion. The King
had met Mendoza once during this time and it appears
their meeting was cordial. Becoming the King's "pet
Champion" would have been the best job in the country.
(Except for maybe being King). But the Mendoza traits of
aggressiveness and independence, so helpful in his rise
to deserved stardom, would not be endearing as a
personal human pet for a King. If Bill Ward had defeated
Daniel Mendoza, hand picked by the King, then these
would have been viewed as title bouts. Mendoza won with
an increased dominance, his foe tired and discouraged,
and so the Champion was still Benjamin Brain. The corner
man for Ward in both fights was John Jackson. Mendoza
was only paid a pittance, according to him, with most of
any money raised directly paid to his creditors. Mendoza
was forced to fight John Jackson, again to pay debt and
avoid prison, with the same caveat that if Mendoza wins
it is not a title bout, while if Jackson wins, with
Benjamin Brain dead, then England has a new Champion.
April 15, 1795.... Daniel Mendoza versus John Jackson.
Location: Essex, at Horn Church. Prize: 200 guineas. The
corner man for Mendoza was Harry Lee. The corner man for
Jackson was Tom Johnson. Umpires: Smith and James.
ROUND 1: A minute of cautious feints while stalking one
another for an opening. Jackson lands a hard punch that
flattens Mendoza.
ROUND 3: The action has picked up considerably. Both
have exchanged in a flurry of punches. The round
concludes with Jackson scoring another knockdown....
Mendoza is increasing his dominance, as Jackson must be
tiring noticeably, while the betting odds have grown to
2-1.
ROUND 4: Jackson aggressively
attacks his foe, ignoring all defense, with a punch that
he lands hard to Mendoza's right eye and scoring his 3rd
knockdown. The odds have altered to even.
NOTES: My observation is that the
3rd round indications probably held true.
Mendoza's key strategy was to wait out an opponent who
increasingly fatigues. Jackson had watched at least 3
pugilists lose to Mendoza prior. He probably felt that
he had to win early, or not at all, and that all those
larger pugilists never utilized their physical strength
advantage. The 4th round ignored 'sparring',
disallowed Mendoza the opportunity to apply his
outspoken counter techniques, and turned the bout into a
fight.
ROUND 5: Jackson aggressively attacks his foe, ignoring
all defense, as he grabs Mendoza and pins him to the
ropes or rail, with one hand and body weight..... It may
not have been premeditated, as Jackson would want to
trap his foe, while Mendoza would have been attempting
to squirm loose.... Jackson pins Mendoza to the ropes or
rail, one hand holds his foe's hair in a vice, body
weight pressing to prevent movement, while the other
hand freely pounds repeatedly to the face.... Jackson
beat and beat and beat Mendoza to the face, smaller man
unable to defend himself and unable to fall down, as
Jackson holds by the hair and beats and beats and beats
the scientific pugilist.... The pinning of a foe in a
bare knuckle bout, while difficult to execute, was
perfectly legal. The round usually concludes, as this
one did, when the momentum and movement eventually lose
balance and grip, and the trapped pugilist, in this case
Mendoza, mercifully slips to the ground.... The only
propriety question involved the grabbing and holding of
an opponent's hair.
Pugilism was illegal in England, though enjoyed by the
rich and royal, and a few more incidents like Jackson
and the hair pulling would have banned boxing for life.
English pugilists had been arrested and imprisoned for
such violent behavior. If a pugilists had grabbed the
hair of a James Figg or a Jack Broughton in their prime
they would have gone to prison. If someone had grabbed
the hair of Tom Johnson as recent Champion, it would
have been viewed as reprehensible and the crowd might
have rioted and attacked the offending pugilist. Tom
Johnson, the legendary hero, had disgraced his own
legend with his hair pulling of Benjamin Brain. But the
important aspect of that incident, only from a pugilist
legalese stand point, is that Johnson was not
disqualified. So there was 1791 precedent, with Tom
Johnson now as corner man for Jackson, arguing
successfully to the Umpires on the legality of hair
pulling. Pierce Egan: "An appeal was made to the Umpires
upon the propriety of the action, when it was deemed
perfectly consistent with the rules of fighting, and the
battle proceeded. The odds were now changed to 2-1 on
Jackson."
ROUNDS 6-8: Mendoza is weakened and defeated as he
merely defends himself and backs.
ROUND 9: Jackson relentlessly attacks on offense as he
believes he is close to victory. He lands a series of
punches that knock Mendoza down. Pierce Egan: "(Jackson)
hit away his man with great ease. Dan suffered
considerably, and after falling completely exhausted,
acknowledged he had done."
For
John Jackson, 'Gentleman John Jackson', it would be
quite a life. Jackson promptly retired and never fought
again. This did not prevent his fabulous life as the
English Heavyweight Champion for the next 5 years, and
enjoy a personal relationship as King George's III
'private' pugilist teacher. Jackson taught the "art of
sparring" to eager, rich students wanting to learn from
the best. I assume that studies with Jackson as teacher
did not encourage hair pulling.
1797 would have seemed to be a
good year for Daniel Mendoza. His pugilism school had
evolved into a successful stage show. He had once hoped
for a career in show business and appeared to have a
popular 3-part touring performance. The 1st act was
Daniel Mendoza and a paid pugilist partner. Mendoza
would explain "the art of sparring" and then demonstrate
with various techniques. The 2nd act was
Daniel Mendoza, with a bit of comedy, as he mimicked the
various well known pugilists: Benjamin Brain, Tom
Johnson, Jack Broughton, Isaac Perrins and Richard
Humphreys. The 3rd act offered an appearance
by pugilists along with light sparring. At least on one
occasion, Richard Humphreys, made an appearance to the
delighted crowd. The successful show was forced to close
due to Mendoza's necessity of hiding from creditors that
he had burned for payment. Mendoza could not promote the
stage show without their knowledge of where to locate
him. By 1799, Mendoza was back in jail over a debt to a
wine merchant. Freemasons paid the wine merchant in
exchange for Mendoza making some personal appearances at
the "boys club". Mendoza passed the century mark, 1800,
once again incarcerated. Mendoza had attempted to pay
people with his own notes that he had drawn. Englishman
attempted to use these notes as currency, and when
merchants refused to accept them, law enforcement became
involved. Mendoza was convicted for passing counterfeit
money and fraud. His sentence was six months in prison.
Daniel Mendoza (Oracle Daily Advertiser - 11/?/1801): "A
month after our battle at Hornchurch I waited on
(Jackson), upbraided him with his unmanly conduct, by
laying hold of my hair, and offered to fight him." John
Jackson (Oracle Daily Advertiser - 12/1/1801): "For some
years I have entirely withdrawn from a public life, and
am more and more convinced of the propriety of my
conduct.... It being nearly 7 years since I had the
satisfaction of chastising him for his insolence."
King George III would never have to worry about
'insolence' from a John Jackson or Tom Cribb. They were
wise enough to see a great deal in front of them. An
opportunity to be English Heavyweight Champion, without
having to fight, and at an appropriate time pass along
the title to a hand picked successor. If the 'wrong'
person should win the title, then it was not really a
title bout, and the Championship would return to the
King's pugilist.
Jem
Belcher
It
appeared that Mendoza would finally have his opportunity
to win the title and earn a needed large payday when the
English Champion, Jem Belcher (1800-1805), solicited a
bout. Belcher was popular with the public and did not
want to be idle. Belcher wanted to fight the best, but
at the moment it was difficult to locate a pugilist with
a name and reputation. Mendoza desperately wanted this
fight, but the English authorities arrested him yet
again. Mendoza was incredulous, and while he did not
specifically cite his Jewish ancestry, did openly wonder
why he was being singled out. The younger Mendoza might
have defied authority and fought anyway, but he was
weary and tired from his various arrests and detentions.
Mendoza joked with the Magistrate and promised not to
fight the Champion. He was released from detention and
the dream match-up, Jem Belcher versus Daniel Mendoza,
did not occur. The irony, or more likely hypocrisy of
King George III and a dishonest English aristocracy, is
that Henry Pierce was released from debtor's prison only
on the condition that he fight Champion Belcher. By
then, Daniel Mendoza was back in prison over a debt with
a beer brewer. Creditors had seized his home and
furniture. He returned to find his family homeless and
in hopeless debt. In 1806, England passed a law that
banished a King's Bench debtor's prison. Daniel Mendoza
was released from custody and a free man again.
It is difficult to comprehend what a
John Jackson contributed to boxing that earned him a
place in the International Boxing Hall of Fame. Other
than grabbing someone's hair there is little else that
marks his boxing legacy. A Richard Humphreys was
recognized as the best boxer in England, 1786, and
instantly brought credibility and excitement to a sport
in decline. The battles with Daniel Mendoza, especially
their 2nd encounter, revolutionized the sport
with the build up and counterpart verbal sparring that
is acceptable and normal today. Richard Humphreys is not
a member of the International Boxing Hall of Fame. John
Jackson rode the coattails, or hair, of the path that
Humphreys and Mendoza had blazed. To Jackson's credit,
he knew this, and acknowledged it in some way, maybe
even earning his 'Gentleman' moniker by assisting
Mendoza with funds throughout the years. Mendoza could
never find a way out of debt. He died in debt. But
Mendoza was grateful for Jackson's assistance, and as
the years passed, graciously accepted his “10 minute
defeat” without acknowledging further details. Mendoza
could even appreciate, that on that April day of 1795
when his hair was pulled while his face pummeled into
submission, that it was not for 'insolence' or
personality conflict, but that pugilism was a business.
John Jackson was taking care of his family, his own
future, and business. Daniel Mendoza (1814): “The acts
of friendship I have received from (Jackson), have
caused me to feel desirous of burying in oblivion all
our former contentions; and as we are now friends, I
hope and trust we shall continue ever so.” Mendoza also
utilized the opportunity, his second book, to thank his
wife for 30 years of marriage: “Years of experience in
which we had to encounter, as were the deceitful smiles
of prosperity as the terrific frowns of adversity, have
never given me reasons to repent my choice.”
Daniel Mendoza would have two highly
publicized bouts (but he occasionally sparred for money)
following the 1795 fateful encounter. An 1806 victory
over Harry Lee allowed the public to see the legendary
pugilist who had disposed of Richard Humphreys. An 1820
battle, versus fellow middle aged, Tom Owen, was viewed
as a bit of a freak show. It was made even less
relevant, according to Pierce Egan, because the
celebrity of Mendoza had fallen to obscurity. With the
legends of Jem Belcher and Tom Cribb, a new generation
of boxing fans would embrace Tom Spring, while the 18th
century was a dinosaur era from another time.
For those who harbored ill feelings
of the hubris that was Mendoza, the end was sad and not
a joyful, as the 56 year-old pugilist, who was never
Champion, but now viewed as a “former Champion”,
struggled with movement and range. This once proud man,
and still proud, was pinned by Owens to the ropes in the
7th round and beaten repeatedly to the back
of the head and neck. For that moment, pugilism was as
ugly and brutal as the profession's critics espoused.
The 8th, 9th and 10th
rounds had Tom Owen battering a defenseless Daniel
Mendoza around the ring, until throwing him to the
ground and landing atop him. It would have been expected
and understandable for Mendoza to surrender. But the 11th
round, with a final blaze to end a brilliant career,
Owen was thrown to the ground with a wily Mendoza atop
him. Owen regained control of the 12th round,
forced and pinned Mendoza to the ropes, beat on his head
as he held him, until Mendoza slipped to the ground and
admitted defeat.
The sadness of that final bout,
along with the publicized realization that an
embarrassed Mendoza was broke and in debt (as usual)
brought the best and most famous pugilists together for
a benefit sparring show. Six weeks following the
Mendoza/Owen debacle, an appreciative 57 year-old
Mendoza addressed the pugilists (including Tom Cribb and
John Jackson) and promised them that this was his final
appearance in the public eye. Mendoza was humbled and
grateful for the financial assistance, but still
unleashed verbal punches aimed at his profession and all
of those pugilists who monetarily gained from himself
and his now forgotten #1 nemesis.... Daniel Mendoza
(8/31/1820): “After what I have done for the pugilists
belonging to the prize ring, I do say they have not used
me well upon this occasion. In fact, the principal men
have deserted me in toto. I think that I have a right to
call myself the father of boxing science; for it is well
known that prize fighting lay dormant for several years
after the time of Broughton and Slack. It was myself and
Humphreys that revived it for our 3 contests for
superiority, and the science of pugilism has been highly
patronized ever since.... I have now only one thing to
say --- FAREWELL!”
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