Fight of the Century

The 1st World Boxing Championship between #TomSayers & #JohnCamelHeenan was fought on 17.04.1860, when prize ring boxing was illegal but continued underground. 2K people attended inc. MP’s, nobility & celebrities, & when the Police, armed with warrants, raided the event in the 37th round, controversy over who had won was settled when both men were awarded a Championship Belt.

11.23 AM, 22 June 2023

1859, Heavyweight Champion of England #TomSayers accepts a challenge from US Champion #JohnCamelHeenan from New York, news of the 1st World Boxing Championship caught the public imagination on both sides of the Atlantic. The long & brutal bare-knuckle fight took place at dawn in a field at #Farnborough, & ended in chaos when spectators invaded the ring & a draw was declared.

11.23 AM, 22 June 2023