Jack Slack (boxer)

John ‘Jack’ Slack “Knight of the Cleaver” (1721 – 17 July 1768 or 1778) was an English bare-knuckle boxer from Norfolk. 
In 1750. he became the first man to defeat Jack Broughton, who today is seen as the father of modern boxing, and with this win became Bare knuckle Champion of England.
==Early life== 
Slack was born in Thorpe Norwich in 1721. His father was a butcher, the trade that Jack would acquire later in life and lead to his nickname “Knight of the Cleaver”
In 1743 Slack defeated 3 local men to become the champion of Norfolk. This success resulted in a challenge by Daniel Smith, the Suffolk champion. The pair met twice in 1744,Firstly on June 24th and again on November 12th, with Slack winning on both occasions.
==London & Broughton's Amphitheatre==
In 1748, after defeating many local competitors, Jack Slack sold his butchers shop and moved to London to continue his fighting Career at Broughton’s Amphitheatre.His success followed him, defeating a fighter called Ned Hunt
1749 saw the longest recorded fight of Slacks career, an hour and 32 minute long bout against ‘Sailor Field’ possibly James Field (criminal). Slack won the fight and it was quoted as: “The longest and bloodiest Battle in London ever seen at Broughton’s Amphitheatre“
His final fight of the year was against a man called John James who Jack swiftly defeated in 4 minutes. Along with many other boxers of the era, slack pall-bared at James’ funeral.
1750 saw Slacks first defeat in the ring against George Taylor (boxer). Jack Broughton oversaw the fight and the fight ended when slack was knocked down and did not return to his feet in the allocated time but only marginally. Slack was furious at the decision by Broughton to stop the contest and award Taylor the victory. This decision lead to Slack throwing down a challenge to Broughton for the Championship of England. Despite his loss to Taylor, Slacks challenge was accepted.
==Broughton Vs Slack: Championship of England==
On the 11th of April 1750 one of the most important fights of the pugilistic era of boxing took place.
Heading into the fight, Broughton was the heavy favourite. Despite having not fought in years it was seen that Broughton was far more superior than slack and many believed that it would be an easy fight for him.
The fight started off as Broughton had planned but it soon became apparent that from the inactivity of fighting, he had lost a lot of his power. 
Slack through a chopper punch roughly two minutes into the fight which caught Broughton across the nose causing both his eyes to swell up and soon he could hardly see. Slack bombarded Broughton with heavy blows until after 14 minutes Broughton could take no more and the fight was over. Slack had handed the champion his first defeat and with that, became the champion of England himself.
==Champion of england==
Jack Slack returned to his native Norfolk and take on the Frenchman, Mounsieur Pettit. Taking place in July 29th 1754 (some sources suggest 1751) this is possibly the first ever international heavyweight boxing fight in history.Pettit is described as a muscular giant of a man while slack throughout his whole fighting career was always a stocky man, weighing about 14 stone and being 5ft8 in height. This did not stop slack over coming adversity and defeating the French man.
This bout is somewhat forgotten in modern history as is slacks career as a fighter. Nonetheless it is still the earliest recorded international heavyweight championship fight.bout.
==Loss and later life==
1760 was the final year of Slacks reign as he was defeated by William Stevens (boxer)
John ‘Jack’ Slack passed away in Bristol in 1768. He is remembered best by his Grandson Jem Belcher. Who was one of the most successful boxers of his generation and Champion of England for 5 years (1800-1805).
Category:English people
Category:English boxers
Category:1721 births