THE PUGILIST OF THE ABBEY

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 375, 8 June 1928, Page 10

THE PUGILIST OF THE ABBEY

TT is not generally known that -* there is a prize-fighter buried in Westminster Abbey. There is a gravestone in the west cloister which reads: Mr. John Broughton, Died Bth January, 1789, Aged 86 years. There is a space left under John Broughton’s name in which, according to Dean Stanley, were to be placed the words “Champion of England.” The dean of the day took objection to this phrase, and so the blank remains. This John Broughton was the “Jack Broughton” who is regarded as the founder of the British school of boxing. He was champion for several years, until defeated by Slack in 1750. Broughton was the first to introduce gloves into boxing. In an advertisement published in 1747 he intimates that he is willing to receive pupils of quality and distinction,” and goes on to say that the lessons will be given “with the utmost tenderness and regard to the delicacy of the frame and constitution of the pupil.” The advertisement continues: “Mufflers will be worn, which will effectually secure them (the pupils) from the inconveniences of black eyes, broken jaws, or bloody noses.”