There is a sketch on p.45 of L.A. Jennings’ fascinating She’s a Knockout!: A History of Women in Fighting Sports which caused a loud squeal to emerge from my mouth. Most likely drawn from a photograph (and what I wouldn’t give to find the original!), in the centre stands Alf Ball, a young, moustachioed, slim… Read More Finding the Sisters Mills – England’s first Black lady boxers?
In a blaze of publicity, Peter Jackson, Black heavyweight champion of the world, arrived in England at the end of August 1889. In order to satiate public demand to see him, line some pockets, and escalate interest in his forthcoming match with the English champion, Jem Smith, he spent the second week of October installed… Read More Popular Professors of Pugilistic Prowess Box Three Biffin’ Bouts – Travelling Showman Alf Ball’s Early Years (Part II)
I was recently asked whether there were any Gypsies or Travellers among the boxers and wrestlers I’ve researched, or otherwise know of, who were active in the 1880s and ’90s. Boxing has long been a massive part of Gypsy and Traveller community and culture, so it surprised me that I couldn’t think of anyone straight… Read More Boxing Before The Bioscope – Travelling Showman Alf Ball’s Early Years (Part I)
It’s in 1870 that Green’s so-called private life begins to appear in the press as often as his professional one. In May 1870 Green was summoned to Hammersmith Police Court charged with assault. Under the headline “Can’t Help His Colour”, the West London Observer reports, with scant detail: “Plantagenet Green, a man of colour, of… Read More ‘I’ll shoot you in the eye with my fist.’ – A Biographical Sketch of the Gentlemen’s Instructor, John Plantagenet Green (Part II)
“Some novel lessons in the elasticity and expressiveness of the English language” were learned in the Middlesex Sessions of November 1874, when a witness called to give testimony made newspaper headlines over and above the men charged with a crime. William McCarthy, 23, and James Rowland, 21, both labourers, were the lads in front of… Read More ‘I am a pugilist, and that is an artist.’ – A Biographical Sketch of the Gentlemen’s Instructor, John Plantagenet Green (Part I)
As work continues on A Thousand Blows – a TV drama set in a fictionalised 1880s East London boxing world, starring a character loosely based on boxer Hezekiah Moscow aka Ching Hook – I have cause to occasionally pop Moscow’s name/s into the British Newspaper Archive and see if anything new has appeared since my… Read More A small and unreliable bit of information about the disappearance of Hezekiah Moscow
New Cross, London, might not be well-known as the ‘home’ of British wrestling or boxing, but back in the 1880s and ‘90s, hundreds – sometimes thousands – of people flocked to the area’s pubs and public halls to watch men (and the occasional woman!) punch and grapple for a cash prize, trophy, or moment of… Read More 100 years since Jack Wannop’s death – a talk in his cemetery – 19 Feb 2023
It’s been quite a year since my last post. To great excitement and lots of media interest this week, streamer Disney+ announced A Thousand Blows (a working title) – an epic new 12-part series set in the perilous world of illegal boxing in 1880s Victorian London. With even greater excitement, I finally get to tell… Read More Where Did You Go, Hezekiah Moscow? (Part V: A Thousand Blows announced by Disney+)
It is with an extremely heavy heart – excuse the drama – that I have taken the decision to put Grappling With History on an ‘extended break’, in order to concentrate on my book proposal, continue research for the book, focus on my personal life and – fingers crossed – return to pro-wrestling training. All… Read More Jack Wannop wants a go with… George Hackenschmidt?! (And it’s goodbye, for now, from Grappling With History)
My articles on Hezekiah Moscow, who was better known by his ‘ring name’ Ching Hook or Ghook, are by far the most shared and read pieces so far produced – apologies to Mr Wannop – and last year led to conversations with the National Archives. My research now appears in their school educational materials, part… Read More Where Did You Go, Hezekiah Moscow? (Part IV: Ching Ghook Found)
Grappling With History 