232 SPORTING STORIES 



mystery of boxing, when the whole theory and practice of 

 that British art, with all the various stops, blows, cross- 

 buttocks, etc., incident to combatants, will be fully taught 

 and explained ; and that persons of quality and distinction 

 may not be debarred from entering into a course of these 

 lectures they will be given with the utmost tenderness and 

 regard to the delicacy of the frame and constitution of the 

 pupil, for which reason mufflers are provided that will 

 effectually secure them from the inconveniencing of black 

 eyes, broken jaws, and bloody noses." 



This announcement caused as much derision among 

 old stagers as the introduction of pads did amongst 

 the cricketers who had stood up in their " ducks " to the 

 lightning underhand expresses of Brown and Beldham 

 and Osbaldeston. But the gloves soon became fashionable, 

 and gave an immense impetus to the popularity of boxing. 

 From an old print, however, I gather that the pupil when 

 boxing with his tutor was allowed to use his bare fists, 

 while the gloves protected him from injury at the hands of 

 the professional. 



John Broughton was famous and prosperous when, in an 

 evil hour, he made a private quarrel an excuse for once 

 more fighting on the stage. His opponent was a strapping 

 young butcher from Norwich, named John Slack. The 

 battle took place at Broughton's amphitheatre on the loth 

 of April 1750. The place was crowded, and the combatants 

 set-to in the presence of the most distinguished gathering 

 that ever assembled to witness a prize-fight. Two Royal 

 Dukes and half the nobility of England were among the 

 spectators. 



Slack was a finely made man, about thirty years old, 

 standing 5 ft. 8| ins., and scaling 12^ st. Broughton stood 

 5 ft. II ins., and weighed over 14 st. He was in his forty- 

 seventh year, and therefore had a great disadvantage in 

 age, but from constant practice he was active for his years. 

 So confident was he of victory, however, that he had made 

 no attempt to get himself into condition. 



Yet, when he began to fight, he showed all his old 

 skill, and Slack never once in the first five rounds got 

 past his guard. Broughton did all the fighting, gave his 



