New Britain herald., 1915-04-10
Sp0yf0gTabhy
 BY "GRAVY."
TITLE FIRST CHANGED HANDS IN
 BATTLE 165 YEARS AGO

100 ELAAAS A9Jo
 Tomorrow will be the 165th anni- versary of the first battle in which a pugilistic title changed ownership Jack Broughton, the vanquished champion, held the premiere honors of the ring from 1734 until he was defeated by Jack Slack on April Il, 175O. Brougnton had claimed the title after the death of his teacher. James Ffgg, the first champion of England, and had defended it suc- cessfully against all corners until he met Slack. Broughton was really the father of boxing, as Figg had been more expert with the back sword and the quarter-staff than with the fists. Broughton brought boxing into popularity by formulating the first code of rules to govern matches and by inventing gloves to be worn by his aristrocratic pupils in his box ing school.
 Jack Slack was a tough customer, but he preferred rough-and-tumble fighting, and he was very peeved by Broughton's rules, the enforcement of which lost Slack a battle with George Taylor. Slack was in no cheerful frame of mind when he came upon Brougton eating dinner in a booth at the Hounslow races, and, using much profane language, he cussed the champion up one side and down the other for making such blankety- blank rules. The enraged Slack ended his peroration by grab ping Broughton's plate and dashing 1t on the floor. Broughton didn't ap- preciate such attentions, and with his riding whip he slashed Slack across the legs. After trying to stab Brough- ton with a carving knife, Slack was pushed out of the booth, luridly and loudly Yowing vengeance. This took form in a challenge to Broughton to fight in the ring for the champion ship. Broughton accepted the def, and the battle was set for April II, 1750, in Brougton's arena in Lon don
 On the day set for the battle a vast crowd gathered before the doors of the amphitheater, and the building was quickly filled, except for the re- served boxes, when the place was opened at o'clock. Thousands were turned away, and a small riot was in progress before the disappointed GpoIIS COulu D6 ulSpeISeQ.
 The fortunate ones who got inside were entertained during the morning hours by fencing matches and wrest- ling and sparring bouts. After r the noble patrons of the ring began to flock in. The prince of Wales oc- cupied the royal box, and BrougIlton's royal patron, the duke of Cumber- land, the famous soldier, was early pf tlao ri,, Fa nous Englis1lmen were on hand when, at 1 o'clock, Jack Broughton ran up the ladder onto the platform. Slack immediately followed, and the crowd settled down after wild cheering in the confident expectation that Broughton would soon make mince- meat of the big butcher Brougn- ton was the popular favorite, and the duke of Cumberland had wagered d fortune on his fayorite.
 Broughton looked every inch the athlete and the gentleman, but Slack, who was shorter and broader than the champion, was an ugly and fero- cious looking bruiser. Neither man showed any disposition to start hos tilities, but Slack was determined to play @ waiting game, and the cham pion finally led with a blow which rocked the thickset fighter. Slack responded With a smash to the cheek, and then they were at it in deadly earnest. Broughtons superior sci ence was very evident, for he landed dozen punches to his opponents orc, but the champions blows lacked steam and force. After ten minutes of fighting Broughton saw an open ing and used all his strength in punch which sent Slack down, ap- parently dead to the world. For a mement it seemed all over, but Slack struggled to his feet The betting was twenty to one on Broughton, and the duke of Cumberland placed $50, 00O against S2,000 on his man. But the champion had shot his bolt, and at the end of fourteen minutes he was a beaten man and Slack was pro- claimed the champion of Britain. Broughton never fought again, but he afterward made a fortune on the Stock Exchange, and was a rich and respected citizen when he died in his eighty fifth year.