BoxRec

I have just purchased a china figure of two bare knuckle boxers with the names SPRING AND LANGAN below them. Can anyone tell me more please?

Tom Spring(Thomas Winter)
Born: Feb. 22, 1795 Townhope, Herefordshire, England
Height: 5'-11 1/2"
Weight: 186

Tom Spring was the first holder of a world's heavyweight championship to adopt a special fighting moniker. His real name was Thomas Winter. He might be best described as the Jim Corbett of his time, for he excelled in speed, grace and scientific boxing but never earned the reputation as a hard hitter. His style had a lot to do with eliminating the crude slugging methods of the ring at that time. His first professional fight was with John Hollands, a giant in size whom he defeated quickly with sheer cleverness.
When his boxing career ended he became an inn keeper and died on August 20, 1851.

Jack Langan
Born: May, 1798, Clondaton, Ireland
Height: 5'-9"
Weight: 165

Jack Langan known in his day as "The Irish Champion" was a deep sea sailor at the age of fourteen and had many fights afloat or at foreign ports. His first genuine ring contest was with Jemmy Lyons, whom he whipped in 25 minutes. He beat Pat Mcguire in 10 minutes, knocked out Mike Angin in 1 round and beat Jim Savage in a battle lasting 2 hours. He next defeated Paddy Moran in 14 rounds and a week later whipped his brother Tom in 3. There are other fights listed as well, all wins except for the battles with Spring.
Langan died at Cheshire, England March 17, 1846 at the age of 47.


1824 Jan. 7 Jack Langan L77 Tom Spring Worcester, England
1824 Jun. 8 Jack Langan L76 Tom Spring Warwick, England
Attendance: 30,000+

BTW: Keep that polished!

The first Spring-Langan fight is notable because it was the first to have a grandstand erected for the fight. One of the stands collapsed injuring many and killing one person. Langan was severely cut and stopped in the 77th round.

The rematch on June 8, 1824 was similar. Spring's hands were so damaged from the brutal beating he issued that he never fought again.