History of London Boxing

John 'Jack' Broughton, known as the father of English boxing, was champion from 1729 until 1750 and was a pupil of James Figg.

Broughton made his first appearance at George Taylor's booth at the Adam and Eve in Tottenham Court Road. He then went on to teach boxing at his arena known as Broughton’s Amphitheatre in Oxford Road near to Oxford Street.

The theatre was opened in March 1743 and in the same year Broughton introduced the first rules of boxing.

Jack Broughton's gravestone

Broughton’s Rules introduced a 3-foot square in the centre of the ring, breaks when a fighter was knocked down and gloves used but only for practice.

The introduction of these rules happened after Broughton injured an opponent in the ring after which the man died. Broughton’s Rules were used until 1838 when the London Prize Ring Rules were developed by the Pugilistic Society.

He died in January 1789, aged 86, at Walcot Place in Lambeth. Many references have been made that state Broughton is buried at Lambeth Church.

However BBC London visited Westminster Abbey where he was a Yeoman of the Guard and found that he is buried in the West Cloister along with his wife Elizabeth.

Our photo above shows the gravestone at Westminster Abbey.