7/25/2023 0 Comments Jack slack![]() His attitude was said to be ugly and awkward, he was strong and healthy but quite untrained in the true meaning of the word. As for Slack, there was nothing elegant about him. After all, as boxing went in those days, he did know something about defence, and he was master of two famous blows, one for the body and one under the ear, which were said to terrify his opponents. In fact, Broughton was eager for the fight – or for the money to be derived from it! He regarded Slack with the utmost contempt and made no sort of preparation also, so afraid was he that the ‘butcher’ might not turn up at the last minute that he gave him ten guineas to make sure of him! The betting was 10-1 on Broughton when the men appeared in the ring. However Broughton did agree to a contest the following month, and a bout was duly arranged for 11 April 1750. Broughton declined the offer, arguing that he was “not immediately prepared” whereas Slack had been “in keeping some months”. Subsequently, so the Mercury claimed, during a bout at the amphitheatre, Slack “came upon the stage” and “offered to fight Mr Broughton immediately for 20 guineas”. For reasons unknown, this altercation about the election had resulted in “personal abuse” being exchanged between the two pugilists. Slack, who possessed a talent for getting under other fighters’ skins had, according to the Derby Mercury of 6 April 1750, instigated a dispute with Broughton earlier in the month, during a controversial election campaign in Brentford, which was dogged by allegations of corruption. On the 14th March 1750, at Broughton’s Amphitheatre in Oxford Road, London, Slack threw down a challenge to the formerly invincible John (Jack) Broughton (a man some years older than he and known as the ‘Father of Boxing’ who had been taught by Slack’s grandfather, James Figg). ![]() superior to the generality of men in strength and of excellent bottom.’ He changed his style of fighting to suit his opponent and often came out the victor, punching his opponents with such force that the term ‘a slack’un’ came into general use, meaning a ‘smashing hit.’ In 1743 Slack became the Champion of Norfolk after defeating three local men in boxing matches and by 1748 his renown was such that he sold on his butchery business to his brother and moved to London where his reputation as a fighter continued to grow. ![]() The River at Thorpe Reach, Norwich by William Philip Barnes Freeman (1813–1897)Ī contemporary description of Slack says that he was five foot eight inches and a half in height and weighed almost fourteen stone. ![]()
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