On This Day 14th August 1835 - bare knuckle fighter Tom King was born
Tom King (born: 14 August 1835 died: 3 October 1888)
Thomas King (Retired) is recorded in the 1881 census at "Cedars" in Streatham, with his wife Jane, and daughter Emily with three servants.
Also known as "The Fighting Sailor" was an English boxer who fought both bare-knuckle and with gloves.
Strong, fast, and durable he was a skilled pugilist. One of his quirkier pre-fight rituals was to drink a tot of gin before every bout.
He retired from the ring in 1863, as the Heavyweight Champion of England, following his defeat of the boxer Jem Mace. In retirement he became a successful bookmaker, and married the daughter of a wealthy shipping magnate and acquired great wealth.
He died in October 1888 at his home Clarence House, Clapham, London aged 53. He is buried at West Norwood Cemetery, London.
Tom King (born: 14 August 1835 died: 3 October 1888)
Thomas King (Retired) is recorded in the 1881 census at "Cedars" in Streatham, with his wife Jane, and daughter Emily with three servants.
Also known as "The Fighting Sailor" was an English boxer who fought both bare-knuckle and with gloves.
Strong, fast, and durable he was a skilled pugilist. One of his quirkier pre-fight rituals was to drink a tot of gin before every bout.
He retired from the ring in 1863, as the Heavyweight Champion of England, following his defeat of the boxer Jem Mace. In retirement he became a successful bookmaker, and married the daughter of a wealthy shipping magnate and acquired great wealth.
He died in October 1888 at his home Clarence House, Clapham, London aged 53. He is buried at West Norwood Cemetery, London.
