Broughton's New Amphitheatre

Broughton's New Amphitheatre "on the back of" or "near" the late Mr. Figg's Amphitheatre, in Oxford Road. On 1 January 1743, the pugilist John Broughton (ca. 1703–1789), formerly a Thames waterman, advertised his intention to establish a new amphitheatre dedicated to boxing. Lamenting the late "Decay of British Championism," he proposed "To erect in some Place, most commodious for this Metropolis, a magnificent Amphitheatre, to be dedicated to the Exercise of that Manly Art of Boxing," and requested assistance through "the generous Contributions of those Noblemen and Gentlemen who are Lovers and Encouragers of this heroic Art" (Proposals for Erecting an Amphitheatre for the Manly Exercise of Boxing, by John Broughton, Professor of Athletics, January 1, 1742–3, pp. 2–3). The Amphitheater was opened later that year.

According to Hugh Phillips, F.S.A., the "rate books prove indisputably that in 1743–44, Broughton had taken over the old Boarded House … which had been in obscurity since Figg gave it up in 1725" (Mid Georgian London: A Topographical and Social Survey of Central and Western London about 1750, 1964, p. 228). Whether by "erect" Broughton meant to "set up," "establish," or "found" a boxing arena in a suitable building or to "build" a new structure entirely is not clear, but in any case there is evidence that the Boarded House was demolished in 1735, well before Broughton's Amphitheatre was instituted (Survey of London, Bartlett School of Architecture, University College London, draft chapter). The Boarded House is shown northwest of the Adam and Eve tavern in "A Survey of Marybone, And Barrow-Hills" by Henry Pratt (1708), a location Phillips describes as "grass fields at the intersection of two paths which subsequently became Wells Street and Castle Street" (227). George Clinch's sketch of Pratt's survey, however, suggests the Boarded House was located closer to the present-day Mortimer Street a little to the north (see "Plan of Marylebone Estate," Marylebone and St. Pancras; Their History, Celebrities, Buildings, and Institutions, 1890, facing p. 4; it should be noted, however, that in the text Clinch incorrectly conflates the Boarded House with Figg's Amphitheatre).

John Thomas Smith in Ancient Topography of London of 1815 claimed that "Broughton's Amphitheatre is still standing; it is at the south-west corner of Castle-street, Wells-street; the lower part is a coal-shed, the upper a stage for timber" (63). This location is not labelled in Horwood (1799), but Rocque's map of 1746 shows a building at Little Castle Street and Adam and Eve Court, which seems a likely candidate for the Amphitheatre.

Broughton's last fight took place on 11 April 1750 against John Slack, a butcher originally from Norfolk. Broughton's defeat resulted in significant controversy. His patron, William Augustus the Duke of Cumberland was said to have lost a significant amount in bets placed on Broughton, and accounts in the papers and satires in prints made damning accusations of cheating, although there were certainly legitimate reasons that would have enabled Slack to score what was considered an upset victory.

"Mr. Town" of the satirical weekly The Connoisseur claimed that the building was used as a Methodist Meeting house mid 1750s (George Colman the Elder and Bonnell Thornton, 22 August 1754).

—Allison Muri, with grateful acknowledgment of advice on Broughton's career and Amphitheatre from the British prize-ring historian Tony Gee

This Day is publish'd, Price 6 d,
     A Political Battle Royal: Designed for Broughton's new Amphitheatre. A mock Print. Giovanni Elliso, Pinxit. Jack Broughton, Sculpit.

Behold a Group with Courage, Strength and Skill,
Brouton's new Amphitheatre to fill;
'Twixt those who are, and those who would be in,
The whole Dispute is who the Box shall win:
Like Vinegar's two Friends these Bullies mount,
To make the Ring——not for their own Account;
S—— holds the Box but till the Battle's try'd,
And whose 'tis then the Champions must decide.

Sold by G. Lyon on Ludgate hill, and in May's-Court, Covent-Garden.—Westminster Journal or New Weekly Miscellany 70, Saturday, Mar. 26, 1743.

At Broughton's new Amphitheatre, in Oxford-Road, the back of the late Mr. Figg's, this Day being the 28th instant, will be exhibited the true Art of Boxing, between the following Champions, viz.
     I James Farrell, from the County of Cornwall, having gained the good Opinion of my own Countrymen by my Behaviour in many terrible Battles, and never defeated in any; being emulous of future Conquests, and hearing the Fame of the celebrated Thomas Smallwood, and desirous to increase my Character, invite him to fight me at the Place above for Ten Pounds, when I doubt not but to obtain the general Applause of the Spectators, and convince him that the Superiority of Manhood belongs to James Farrell.
     I Thomas Smallwood accept the Challenge, and will not fail to meet and fight him for his Sum, and convince him that he is in an Error. Thomas Smallwood.
     There will be several By Battles as usual, particularly one between Jack Smallwood and Richard Smallman, for Two Guineas.
     The Doors will be open'd at Ten, and the Masters mount at Twelve.—Daily Advertiser 4039, Wednesday, Dec. 28, 1743.

We hear that the Boxing Amphitheatre will soon be suppressed by the Bench of Justices, as it is thought to contribute to the Nursery of a great Number of loose, idle, and disorderly People.—General Advertiser 5081, Thursday, Feb. 8, 1750.

Yesterday there was a Boxing-Match at Broughton's Amphitheatre in Oxford Road, between Stephen Loomer and Charles Johnson; the Battle lasted about a Quarter of an Hour, when Loomer gave out. At the same Time John Slack went upon the Stage and offer'd to fight Broughton immediately for 20 Guineas, agreeable to his Challenge, which he threw upon the Stage: upon which Broughton told the Gentlemen present, that he would gladly embrace the Opportunity, but that, as Slack had been in Keeping some Months, and himself not immediately prepar'd for fighting, declin'd the Battle; but, at the same Time, offer'd Slack ten Guineas to meet him there and fight him as that Day Month, which Slack accepted of.—London Evening Post 3493, March 13–15, 1750.

The great Boxing-Match between Broughton and Slack the Butcher, which has been the Subject of so much Conversation among the modern English Heroes of all Ranks, was fought yesterday Morning, when Broughton was fairly beat in 14 Minutes and 11 Seconds. The House was full very early. The first two Minutes the Odds for Broughton were twenty to one; but Slack soon recovering himself chang'd the Betts by closing the Eyes of his Antagonists, and following him close at the same Time, gain'd a compleat Victory, to the no small Mortification of the Knowing Ones, who were finely let in. Before they began Broughton gave Slack the ten Guineas to fight him, according to his Promise, which Slack immediately betted against 100 Guineas offer'd by a Gentleman against him.—The Money receiv'd at the Door amounted to 130 l. besides 200 Tickets at a Guinea and Half a Guinea each.—So that it's thought, what with the Money receiv'd at the Door, that for the Tickets, (as they fought for the whole House) and the Odds Slack took, that he did not clear less than 600 l.—London Evening Post 3505, April 10–12, 1750.

The Bruiser Bruis'd: Or, the Knowing-Ones Taken-in

Vain-Glory shou'd be foil'd, & Coxcombs known:
The Knowing Ones here thought to Gull the Town.
In Diff'rent Modes are England's Fools display'd;
Some Strut in Rags, some flutter in Brocade.
Those, Who, abroad the Sword durst never use;
At Home their boasted Courage will abuse:
They run From Quiberon and Fontenoy,
But Here each other cowardly destroy.
The Prince of Bruisers, by Vain-Glory hurt,
Has laid at last, his Conquests in the Dirt:
Where's now thy Cestus? ALl they Triumph's gone,
Mourn for they Motto, and they Sign pull down.

According to Act 1750     Printed & Sold at E. Griffins     Map & Printshop, next the Globe Tavern in Fleetstreet     Prices 6 ^d plain     Colour'd 2 ^d
—Satirical print, 1750, British Museum number 1868,0808.3904

Sl-k Triumphant or B-ck-se in Tears for his Masters Defeat

Ye Bruisers of the Town appear,
And mourn your Glory sinking here
Long have ye storve by various Arts
To trick the World and bost your Parts
Your Puffs in ev'ry Paper flew
And heedless Gulls to Slaughter drew
When Gaming Drinking or your W—re
Had render'd ye quite low and poor
And Pockets cou'd not shew a Souse
Then make a match—Fight for the House
First you shall beat—and next I'll win
Get the Fools Pence and then we'll grin
Thus have y oft, when o'er your Bowls
In private talk'd ye jovial Souls!
Dame Preston first the sport begun
And Bandy-Stokes then push'd it on
To mention all such Heroes known
Wou'd mark ye all the Scum o' th' Town
In its first Rise 'twas scorn'd as mean
But our late Boxer chang'd the Scene
Eger of Fame and full of Pelf
Erects a stage to beat himself
What Whim possesd his Silly Brain
To make him mount that Stage Invain.
—Satirical print, ca. 1750, British Museum number 1868,0808.3907

We hear that the Boxing Theatre in Tyburn Road will soon be suppressed by the Bench of Justices, as it is thought to contribute to the Nursery of a great number of loose, idle, and disorderly People.—Whitehall Evening Post 779, February 5–7, 1751.

We hear the Boxing Amphitheatre will soon be suppressed, on a Supposition (not a chimerical one) that it may become a Nursery for Villainy, &c.—Old England 359, Saturday, Feb. 9, 1751.

We hear that the Boxing Amphitheatre will soon be suppressed by the Bench of Justices, as it is thought to contribute to the Nursery of a great Number of loose, idle, and disorderly People.—Penny London Post or The Morning Advertiser 1380, February 8–11, 1751.

Yesterday Slack defeated the Chairman at Broughton's Amphitheatre in about three minutes, in the Presence of a dignified and crowded Audience Just before the Heroes mounted the Stage, there was an Alarm given, the Gallery was falling down, which put the Spectators into great Confusion.—London Evening Post 3793, February 8–11, 1752.

Yesterday at Broughton's bruising Amphitheatre, there was a very obstinate Battle between Faulkener, the Cricket Player, and Smallwood. Before the Champions mounted, the Odds were five, six and Seven to One on Smallwood's head; but after the Engagement had lasted fourteen Minutes and a Half, Smallwood was so severely handled, that he was carried senseless off the Stage, and the knowing ones were deeply taken in. There was a full House to the great Encouragement of the Gentlemen Bruisers.—London Daily Advertiser 352, Thursday, Apr. 16, 1752.

I cannot but lament the cruelty of that law, which has shut up our Amphitheatres: and I look upon the professors of the noble art of Boxing as a kind of disbanded army, for whom we have made no provision. The mechanics, who at the call of glory left their mean occupations, are now obliged to have recourse to them again; and coachmen and barbers resume the whip and the razor, instead of giving black eyes and cross-buttocks. I know a veteran that has often won the whole house, who is reduced, like Belisarius, to spread his palm in begging for a half-penny. Some have been forced to exercise their art in knocking down passengers in dark alleys and corners; while others have learned to open their fists and ply their fingers in picking pockets. Buckhorse, whose knuckles had been used to indent many a bruise, now clenches them only to grasp a link; and Broughton employs the muscles of his brawny arm in squeezing a lemon or drawing a cork. His Amphitheatre itself is converted into a Methodist Meeting-house! and perhaps (as laymen are there admitted into the pulpit) those very fists, which so lately dealt such hearty bangs upon the stage, are now with equal vehemence thumping the cushion.—Connoisseur 30 (Collected Issues), Thursday, Aug. 22, 1754.

The old Broughtonian spirit, or manly exercise of boxing, is not yet extinct among us, since a bloody and desperate battle was fought yesterday in the fields, near Marybone, between one Stephens, a nailor, and one Swafford, a butcher, which lasted about fifteen minutes, and ended in favour of the former. A press-gang, who attended, secured several useful hands, who, possibly, may be of more service to their country than being idle spectators at a boxing match.—Public Ledger 4, Wednesday, Jan. 16, 1760.

Broughton's New Amphitheatre, a boxing theatre "in the Oxford Road, at the back of the late Mr. Figg's." It was situated near Adam and Even Court, opposite Poland Street, built in 1742–1743 by John Broughton, successor to James Figg [see Figg's], for eighteen years the Champion of the Ring. He was beaten at last on his own stage by one Slack, a butcher. He died in Walcot Place, Lambeth, in 1789, in his eighty-fifth year.