Tom Cribb vs. Tom Molineaux (1st meeting) - Revision history

Ric at 15:37, 15 April 2023

2023-04-15T15:37:38Z

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	Thus terminated a battle which has not been excelled, in point of hitting and execution, for many years; and while the courage and resolution of the lusty Moor have been extolled to the utmost, the merits of Crib, as a bruiser, will not fail to be duly appreciated by the victory he has gained over so invulnerable an opponent. In this last contest, the struggle, I conceive to have been between science and strength. The advantage that Crib had, by his excelling in the former, the Black had, by superiority in the latter. With respect to coolness and bottom, it is but justice to place them on par. Before I saw the Black set to in this last rencontre, I thought him too irritable and hot; but I am convinced that his impetuosity is only a part of that principle upon which he fights, and which, no doubt, would have proved successful against most men. To be a finished boxer, a man must be possessed of a large portion of natural muscular powers, besides other acquirements, the chief of which is, to learn to hit straight, and with a jerk from the shoulder, without which, as Liston would say, "It is all my eye and Betty Martin." The Black is only deficient in this accomplishment. His style of fighting comes near to that of Bully Hooper of Ruffian memory. That battle lasted 55 minutes.		Thus terminated a battle which has not been excelled, in point of hitting and execution, for many years; and while the courage and resolution of the lusty Moor have been extolled to the utmost, the merits of Crib, as a bruiser, will not fail to be duly appreciated by the victory he has gained over so invulnerable an opponent. In this last contest, the struggle, I conceive to have been between science and strength. The advantage that Crib had, by his excelling in the former, the Black had, by superiority in the latter. With respect to coolness and bottom, it is but justice to place them on par. Before I saw the Black set to in this last rencontre, I thought him too irritable and hot; but I am convinced that his impetuosity is only a part of that principle upon which he fights, and which, no doubt, would have proved successful against most men. To be a finished boxer, a man must be possessed of a large portion of natural muscular powers, besides other acquirements, the chief of which is, to learn to hit straight, and with a jerk from the shoulder, without which, as Liston would say, "It is all my eye and Betty Martin." The Black is only deficient in this accomplishment. His style of fighting comes near to that of Bully Hooper of Ruffian memory. That battle lasted 55 minutes.

			_____________________________________________
			*20 March 1910 ''Tacoma Daily Ledger'' [[:File:TDL-Cribb-Molineaux.jpg\|article]]

Ric at 14:56, 15 April 2023

2023-04-15T14:56:27Z

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	Ninth Round.−Was gallantly contested, but Crib was compelled to make play, by the Black following him up, and giving him no quarter; neither would he take any, for his head was always at the service of his adversary. He never shrunk from a blow, and his great anxiety was always to return it. Crib evinced weakness, and fell from a hit. The knowing ones exchanged look with each other round the ring, as much as to say, "things look a little *****, master."		Ninth Round.−Was gallantly contested, but Crib was compelled to make play, by the Black following him up, and giving him no quarter; neither would he take any, for his head was always at the service of his adversary. He never shrunk from a blow, and his great anxiety was always to return it. Crib evinced weakness, and fell from a hit. The knowing ones exchanged look with each other round the ring, as much as to say, "things look a little *****, master."
	[[File:Molineaux-Crib 1910 Art.jpg\|right\|thumb\|400px]]		[[File:Molineaux-Crib 1910 Art.jpg\|right\|thumb\|20 March 1910 ''Tacoma Daily Ledger''\|400px]]
	Tenth Round.−By this time the conceit was pretty well taken out of both the heroes,, and it was not to be wondered at, considering how hard they had fought, and how severely they had been punished. The head of Molineux was prodigiously swollen; and if the Moor had been an artist he could not have laid on the black and red with a more regular hand on Crib's face, although Crib might think it might have been down with a more delicate touch. In this, as well as the seven successive rounds, Molineux appeared much the strongest man; he went into Crib, pell well, without standing for repairs, and rallied him at every part of the rin; and when he got him against the ropes, he either threw him, or encircled his neck with his left arm while he fibbed him with his right hand. If this could not be called murder, it was something like manslaughter; for Crib seemed all the same as in a blacksmith's vice. It was here where there was shown a little national prejudice against the Black; but being of a passive nature, he could derive no injury from it; and, to speak impartially, and for the honour of pugilism, the strictest fair-play was shown to both parties throughout.		Tenth Round.−By this time the conceit was pretty well taken out of both the heroes,, and it was not to be wondered at, considering how hard they had fought, and how severely they had been punished. The head of Molineux was prodigiously swollen; and if the Moor had been an artist he could not have laid on the black and red with a more regular hand on Crib's face, although Crib might think it might have been down with a more delicate touch. In this, as well as the seven successive rounds, Molineux appeared much the strongest man; he went into Crib, pell well, without standing for repairs, and rallied him at every part of the rin; and when he got him against the ropes, he either threw him, or encircled his neck with his left arm while he fibbed him with his right hand. If this could not be called murder, it was something like manslaughter; for Crib seemed all the same as in a blacksmith's vice. It was here where there was shown a little national prejudice against the Black; but being of a passive nature, he could derive no injury from it; and, to speak impartially, and for the honour of pugilism, the strictest fair-play was shown to both parties throughout.

Ric: deleted 1st person text

2021-10-16T02:09:31Z

deleted 1st person text

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	[[file:CribbMolineaux.jpg\|center]]		[[file:CribbMolineaux.jpg\|center]]
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	~~I have rewritten this due to serious issues with the accuracy of previous versions of this article- Bitplayer~~

	Molineaux, and especially his fight with Tom Cribb, ~~have~~ been the subject of much controversy. ~~There is much claimed in later writings, such~~ as Molineaux claiming the Championship of America, or Cribb receiving extra time to recover after the 29th round, which cannot be found in contemporary accounts. While Molineaux was said to have been a freed slave, Shelton concluded it more likely he was one of the free blacks in America at the time. A copy of his writing, including criticizing a previous version of this can be found here [http://www.cyberboxingzone.com/blog/?p=8186#more-8186].		Molineaux, and especially his fight with Tom Cribb, has been the subject of much controversy. Such as Molineaux claiming the Championship of America, or Cribb receiving extra time to recover after the 29th round, which cannot be found in contemporary accounts. While Molineaux was said to have been a freed slave, Shelton concluded it more likely he was one of the free blacks in America at the time. A copy of his writing, including criticizing a previous version of this can be found here [http://www.cyberboxingzone.com/blog/?p=8186#more-8186].

	~~It is possible there was racial and nationalist bias in the contemporary reports, but without good evidence of their inaccuracy, I think they are the best sources to work with~~.

	'''From ''London Courier'' - Monday 24 December 1810'''		'''From ''London Courier'' - Monday 24 December 1810'''

Ric: added 2nd image; fixed typos

2021-10-15T20:06:32Z

added 2nd image; fixed typos

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Bitplayer at 14:03, 10 December 2018

2018-12-10T14:03:34Z

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	'''From London Courier - Monday 24 December 1810'''		'''From London Courier - Monday 24 December 1810'''

	The following account of the battle between Molineux the black and Crib, on Tuesday last, is written by an amateur:−		The following account of the battle between Molineux the black and Crib, on Tuesday last, is written by an amateur:−
	Molineux is a man of robust stature, weighing 14 stone 8Ib, and therefore deemed competent in point of strength to face any man in the united kingdom. From the specimen he gave of his powers and bottom in the combat with Tom Blake, some time ago, he was deemed the best match for Crib of the present day (it having been understood that Jack Gully had declined all contests as a prize fighter). It was accordingly agreed they should fight for 200 guineas aside.		Molineux is a man of robust stature, weighing 14 stone 8Ib, and therefore deemed competent in point of strength to face any man in the united kingdom. From the specimen he gave of his powers and bottom in the combat with Tom Blake, some time ago, he was deemed the best match for Crib of the present day (it having been understood that Jack Gully had declined all contests as a prize fighter). It was accordingly agreed they should fight for 200 guineas aside.

Bitplayer: A complete rewrite due to critisms of serious inaccuracies, I will come back and add some notes to help clarify bits.

2018-12-10T14:02:47Z

A complete rewrite due to critisms of serious inaccuracies, I will come back and add some notes to help clarify bits.

Show changes

Ric at 03:31, 26 June 2015

2015-06-26T03:31:17Z

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	[[file:CribbMolineaux.jpg\|~~lithograph~~]]		[[file:CribbMolineaux.jpg\|center]]
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	'''Background'''		'''Background'''

	It is December of 1810. Britain is the only country with a large, organized boxing establishment~~--and boxing~~ in Britain ~~has entered~~ its ~~golden age~~. The [[Marquess of Queensberry Rules\|Queensberry Rules]] do not yet exist. Boxing is bare-knuckled. Its rules are simple and few:		It is December of 1810. Britain is the only country with a large, organized boxing establishment. Boxing in Britain is entering its Golden Age. The [[Marquess of Queensberry Rules\|Queensberry Rules]] do not yet exist. Boxing is bare-knuckled. Its rules are simple and few:
	* Fights are with bare fists.		* Fights are with bare fists.
	* No kicking, biting, gouging, or elbowing.		* No kicking, biting, gouging, or elbowing.
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	'''Tom Cribb'''<br>		'''Tom Cribb'''<br>
	Height--5'10"<br>		Height: 5'10"<br>
	Weight--Around ~~200lbs~~		Weight: Around 200 pounds

	Cribb was a hard, accurate puncher. While considered by some critics to be slow, Cribb's style was awkward and effective. He was a skilled man in the ring, and his style gave many of the best of his era considerable problems. He was also quite strong, a good wrestler (important in those days), and incredibly durable--he took massive beatings in many of his fights and refused to quit.		Cribb was a hard, accurate puncher. While considered by some critics to be slow, Cribb's style was awkward and effective. He was a skilled man in the ring, and his style gave many of the best of his era considerable problems. He was also quite strong, a good wrestler (important in those days), and incredibly durable--he took massive beatings in many of his fights and refused to quit.
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	'''Tom Molineaux'''<br>		'''Tom Molineaux'''<br>
	Height--5'8"<br>		Height: 5'8"<br>
	Weight~~--About 200lbs~~		Weight: Around 200 pounds

	Molineaux was a tough, durable fighter. In his fights with Cribb and Blake, he showed himself able to take a huge amount of punishment--perhaps the only man tougher than Molineaux at the time was Cribb himself. Molineaux was also a massive puncher, having blown out Blake and an earlier, unnamed Bristol fighter quite handily. He was also very strong and had incredible endurance. The only weak point in his armour was his relative lack of skill--while Richmond managed to eliminate some of his stylistic problems, the raw edges were still obvious.		Molineaux was a tough, durable fighter. In his fights with Cribb and Blake, he showed himself able to take a huge amount of punishment--perhaps the only man tougher than Molineaux at the time was Cribb himself. Molineaux was also a massive puncher, having blown out Blake and an earlier, unnamed Bristol fighter quite handily. He was also very strong and had incredible endurance. The only weak point in his armour was his relative lack of skill--while Richmond managed to eliminate some of his stylistic problems, the raw edges were still obvious.

Ric: another image inserted

2015-06-25T22:59:12Z

another image inserted

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	It is an era of high patriotic feeling--Napoleon is reigning over most of the continent, and Britain has been waging a costly war against him for years. This bellicose, war-ridden environment is perfect for pugilism, which is flourishing. Although well-known and well-attended during the 18th century, bare-knuckle pugilism reached its peak in Britain in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. A succession of brilliant champions--[[Daniel Mendoza]], [[John Jackson]], [[Jem Belcher]], [[Henry Pearce]], [[John Gully]]--made their appearance. Right now, the champion is [[Tom Cribb]], who many hail as the greatest of the lot. He is 30, at the height of his powers, and undefeated.		It is an era of high patriotic feeling--Napoleon is reigning over most of the continent, and Britain has been waging a costly war against him for years. This bellicose, war-ridden environment is perfect for pugilism, which is flourishing. Although well-known and well-attended during the 18th century, bare-knuckle pugilism reached its peak in Britain in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. A succession of brilliant champions--[[Daniel Mendoza]], [[John Jackson]], [[Jem Belcher]], [[Henry Pearce]], [[John Gully]]--made their appearance. Right now, the champion is [[Tom Cribb]], who many hail as the greatest of the lot. He is 30, at the height of his powers, and undefeated.

	'''Tom Cribb'''		'''Tom Cribb'''<br>

	Height--5'10"<br>		Height--5'10"<br>
	Weight--Around 200lbs		Weight--Around 200lbs
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	Enter [[Tom Molineaux]]. Molineaux was a former slave from America. He learned English pugilism, of a sort, in order to fight in the brutal matches that slave owners arranged from time to time between their slaves. When he came to England, he was still considered an extremely crude fighter, but time and the tutelage of [[Bill Richmond]] (another former slave and a skilled pugilist) slowly managed to shape Molineaux into a very dangerous fighter. By 1810, he had defeated [[Tom Blake]]--the major challenger to Cribb's title--and put forward a challenge to Cribb himself.		Enter [[Tom Molineaux]]. Molineaux was a former slave from America. He learned English pugilism, of a sort, in order to fight in the brutal matches that slave owners arranged from time to time between their slaves. When he came to England, he was still considered an extremely crude fighter, but time and the tutelage of [[Bill Richmond]] (another former slave and a skilled pugilist) slowly managed to shape Molineaux into a very dangerous fighter. By 1810, he had defeated [[Tom Blake]]--the major challenger to Cribb's title--and put forward a challenge to Cribb himself.

	'''Tom Molineaux'''		'''Tom Molineaux'''<br>

	Height--5'8"<br>		Height--5'8"<br>
	Weight--About 200lbs		Weight--About 200lbs
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	ROUND 9--The fight no longer looks like an easy win for Cribb. Molineaux is much more durable than anticipated. Cribb's head is badly swelled up on the left side, and although Molineaux's head doesn't look much better, Cribb is starting to tire. He has been fighting too fast, and is out of shape. Molineaux bores in on Cribb again, landing a blow on Cribb's head and knocking him off his feet.		ROUND 9--The fight no longer looks like an easy win for Cribb. Molineaux is much more durable than anticipated. Cribb's head is badly swelled up on the left side, and although Molineaux's head doesn't look much better, Cribb is starting to tire. He has been fighting too fast, and is out of shape. Molineaux bores in on Cribb again, landing a blow on Cribb's head and knocking him off his feet.
			[[File:Molineaux-Crib 1910 Art.jpg\|right\|thumb\|450px]]
	ROUND 10--Molineaux is starting to show weakness of his own, but once again charges in against Cribb. Cribb replies with many punches to Molineaux's head, but Molineaux, incredibly, ignores the punishment. They keep fighting close, wrestling one another until both fall.		ROUND 10--Molineaux is starting to show weakness of his own, but once again charges in against Cribb. Cribb replies with many punches to Molineaux's head, but Molineaux, incredibly, ignores the punishment. They keep fighting close, wrestling one another until both fall.

Rowdytimothy at 00:20, 15 April 2009

2009-04-15T00:20:39Z

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	ROUNDS 34-39--Cribb is battered, but manages to land slightly better than Molineaux. In ROUND 39, Cribb clearly has the better round, having his way with his opponent. Molineaux declares "me can fight no more" but is persuaded to try one more round. He agrees, and then collapses unconscious. Cribb is declared the victor. The fight is over.		ROUNDS 34-39--Cribb is battered, but manages to land slightly better than Molineaux. In ROUND 39, Cribb clearly has the better round, having his way with his opponent. Molineaux declares "me can fight no more" but is persuaded to try one more round. He agrees, and then collapses unconscious. Cribb is declared the victor. The fight is over.

	[[Category:~~Bareknuckle~~ Bout Summaries\|Cribb vs. Molineaux]]		[[Category:Bare-knuckle Bout Summaries\|Cribb vs. Molineaux]]

Rowdytimothy at 00:04, 15 April 2009

2009-04-15T00:04:21Z

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	'''Background'''		'''Background'''

	It is December of 1810. Britain is the only country with a large, organized boxing establishment--and boxing in Britain has entered its golden age. The [[Marquess of Queensberry Rules\|Queensberry Rules]] do not yet exist. Boxing is ~~bareknuckled~~. Its rules are simple and few:		It is December of 1810. Britain is the only country with a large, organized boxing establishment--and boxing in Britain has entered its golden age. The [[Marquess of Queensberry Rules\|Queensberry Rules]] do not yet exist. Boxing is bare-knuckled. Its rules are simple and few:
	* Fights are with bare fists.		* Fights are with bare fists.
	* No kicking, biting, gouging, or elbowing.		* No kicking, biting, gouging, or elbowing.
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	* There are no judges to score the bout. The fight ends only with complete unconsciousness from one of the fighters or when a fighter quits.		* There are no judges to score the bout. The fight ends only with complete unconsciousness from one of the fighters or when a fighter quits.

	It is an era of high patriotic feeling--Napoleon is reigning over most of the continent, and Britain has been waging a costly war against him for years. This bellicose, war-ridden environment is perfect for pugilism, which is flourishing. Although well-known and well-attended during the 18th century, ~~bareknuckle~~ pugilism reached its peak in Britain in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. A succession of brilliant champions--[[Daniel Mendoza]], [[John Jackson]], [[Jem Belcher]], [[Henry Pearce]], [[John Gully]]--made their appearance. Right now, the champion is [[Tom Cribb]], who many hail as the greatest of the lot. He is 30, at the height of his powers, and undefeated.		It is an era of high patriotic feeling--Napoleon is reigning over most of the continent, and Britain has been waging a costly war against him for years. This bellicose, war-ridden environment is perfect for pugilism, which is flourishing. Although well-known and well-attended during the 18th century, bare-knuckle pugilism reached its peak in Britain in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. A succession of brilliant champions--[[Daniel Mendoza]], [[John Jackson]], [[Jem Belcher]], [[Henry Pearce]], [[John Gully]]--made their appearance. Right now, the champion is [[Tom Cribb]], who many hail as the greatest of the lot. He is 30, at the height of his powers, and undefeated.

	'''Tom Cribb'''		'''Tom Cribb'''