James Figg facts for kids
James Figg (born before 1700 – died 8 December 1734) was a famous English prizefighter and a teacher of fighting styles. He mostly fought with weapons like short swords, long staffs (called quarterstaffs), and clubs. But he also helped develop the sport of boxing. In 1719, Figg opened a fighting place in London that could hold over 1,000 people. This was one of the first places like it. In 1725, he put on the first international boxing match in modern history at his venue. He said he won more than 200 fights in his career. After he died, many people called him the first boxing champion.
Not much is known about Figg's early life, except that he came to London from a town called Thame in Oxfordshire. In London, Figg became known as a very skilled fighter. He started a business teaching people how to fight with weapons and their bare fists. He also put on fights at his venue, including matches with both men and women. He even set up outdoor boxing areas in fields, parks, and fairs around London. By the early 1730s, Figg had fought in front of kings and queens, including King George II. Many important people like writers and artists also watched him fight. He was a very well-known person in London. Figg was good friends with the artist William Hogarth and appeared in some of Hogarth's famous paintings.
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Early Life and Training
James Figg was born in Thame, Oxfordshire, sometime before the year 1700. The exact year he was born is not clear. We know little about his early life before 1714. Around that time, he was learning from a fighting instructor named Timothy Buck in London.
Becoming a Fighting Champion
The James Figg Pub, which used to be called The Greyhound Inn, is thought to be where Figg started his fighting career. He became so famous in Thame that he built a small fighting area inside The Greyhound Inn in the early 1710s. After a few fights there, he realized London would be a better place for him.
Figg then fought in contests at the Boarded House in Marylebone Gardens. Here, he faced some of the best swordsmen and fencing teachers of his time. These included Donald McBane and Timothy Buck, who was his own teacher. Figg also had a special booth at Southwark Fair. He would sit there and openly challenge anyone to fight him. His famous saying was: "Here I am Jemmy Figg from Thame. I will fight any man in England." He never refused a fight and quickly became known in London as an excellent swordsman.
Figg's Fighting School and Events
In 1719, Figg opened his own fighting school and venue in London. It was located near the City of Oxford tavern in Oxford Road, Marylebone. At his school, he taught bare-knuckle boxing, fencing, quarterstaff fighting, and how to use a cudgel. While boxing had been around for a while, Figg might have been one of the first to turn combat sports into a real business. His venue was one of the earliest and most famous indoor fighting places of its time.
Many people learned from Figg, including early professional fighters like William Flanders. Rich and noble people also came to his school. Figg also promoted fights. He hosted matches with both men and women fighters, such as Elizabeth Wilkinson. He also put on animal shows, like bear-baiting.
Even though Figg is known as a boxing pioneer, he mostly fought with weapons. The only times he fought public boxing matches were at the Southwark Fair. There, he would fight people from the fair. He also set up fighting booths and rings in parks like Hyde Park. However, Figg did organize and promote the first international boxing match in modern history. This fight happened on 20 January 1725. It was between Alberto di Carni from Venice and Bob Whitaker from England. King George II even watched this fight from a special royal box.
Figg often fought the same opponents many times. This was common for fighters back then. For example, he fought a man named Rowland Bennet at least 23 times. In 1730, he reportedly fought another man three times in just two months. He also took part in team matches where he and another weapons master would fight against two other opponents.
Famous Rivalries
Figg's biggest rival was probably Edward "Ned" Sutton. Sutton was a tobacco pipe maker from Gravesend. They had many well-known fights. In one of these fights, Figg had his only recorded defeat. He was wounded in the stomach and had his foot cut. In 1725, a poet named John Byrom saw Figg fight Sutton. He wrote that Figg was bleeding a lot from a wound. Sutton was hurt in the knee by a quarterstaff, which made him limp. So, they stopped the fight. On 6 June 1727, Figg defeated Sutton at his own venue. About 1,000 people watched this fight, including important figures like Prime Minister Robert Walpole.
In October 1730, a newspaper reported that Figg fought Mr. Holmes, an Irishman. Holmes came to England just to fight Figg. During the fight, Holmes's wrist was cut to the bone, and he had to stop. This fight was said to be Figg's 271st contest without a defeat.
Later Life and Passing
After 1730, Figg mostly stopped serious fighting. He still did exhibition matches, which are like friendly demonstrations. In December 1731, he won a sword fight against John Sparks. This fight was attended by important visitors from other countries.
In June 1731, Figg started teaching at a new place. His student, Thomas Sibblis, took over the Oxford Road fighting venue.
James Figg passed away on 8 December 1734. He was buried in the churchyard of St Marylebone Parish Church on 12 December. His former student, George Taylor, took over Figg's business after his death.
Figg's Lasting Impact
By the end of his career, Figg was a very famous person in London. Kings, queens, and many important people came to watch his fights. In 1729, he was even made a gate-keeper for a part of St James's Park. His name appeared in the writings of famous authors like Henry Fielding. Artists also drew and painted his picture.
The artist William Hogarth was a friend and fan of Figg. Figg appears in several of Hogarth's paintings. For example, in Southwark Fair, Figg is shown on horseback holding a sword. In The Levée, part of the series A Rake's Progress, Figg stands among the main character's teachers, holding quarterstaffs. Hogarth's painting The Pugilist was once thought to be of another boxer, but now many believe it is a portrait of James Figg.
Figg was honored by being added to the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1992. He was also inducted into the Bare Knuckle Boxing Hall of Fame in 2010. A special plaque was put up for him at The James Figg Pub in Thame on 14 April 2011.
Images for kids
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A Rake's Progress: II – The Levée by William Hogarth, made around 1732–1734. Figg is the third person from the left, holding two quarterstaffs.
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Southwark Fair by William Hogarth, made around 1733–1734. Figg is the swordsman on horseback in the bottom right corner.
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A Midnight Modern Conversation by William Hogarth, made around 1733. Figg might be the bald man on the floor in the middle.
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The Pugilist by William Hogarth. This painting might be a picture of Figg.
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