Professional Boxer. Born in Birmingham, England, he holds the distinction of being the first International Bare-Knuckle Heavyweight Boxing Champion of the World. Standing at 5 feet, 11 inches, he began fighting in England and won a middleweight championship there before coming to the United States in 1867. In 1869, he won the Heavyweight Boxing Championship of America and won the Heavyweight Boxing Championship of England in 1870. In 1873, he defeated Mike McCoole to become Heavyweight Boxing Champion of the World and defended his crown until he loss to Joe Goss in 1876. He died in St. Louis, Missouri, at age 64. (bio by: John “J-Cat” Griffith)