BEST rare 1802 newspaper VERY EARLY BOXING in US-JEM BELCHER defeats JOE BOURKE

Description: BEST rare 1802 newspaper with a long and detailed account of the boxing match in New York between JEM BELCHER and JOE BOURKE, won by Belcher - inv # 2W-318 Please visit our EBAY STORE for THOUSANDS MORE HISTORICAL NEWSPAPERS for SALE or at auction SEE PHOTO(s) - COMPLETE ORIGINAL NEWSPAPER, the Philadelphia Gazette & Daily Advertiser (PA) dated February 2, 1802 with very EARLY BOXING history. Boxing was illegal at the time and fighters ran the risk of being arrested for practicing their sport. This account is a rare early glimpse in the early days in the sport. Jem Belcher, nicknamed the Napoleon of the Ring, was born inBristol into a boxing family. His maternal grandfather was Jack Slack,and his brother-in-law was Bob Watson. Jem’s younger brother Tomwas also a pugilist, as was his elder brother, Ned, who had to abandonhis ambitions following an injury to his right hand. It was also saidthat one of Jem’s sisters was a pugilist. Jem worked as a butcher, andbegan boxing at local fairs.In 1798 Jem moved to London, where Bill Ward invited him to hishouse for a private sparring match, wearing gloves, which left Wardconvinced that Belcher was champion material. When Belcheradmitted he hadn’t hit as hard as he could out of respect for his host,Ward insisted they fight again with the gloves off – and was flooredseveral times. The two men remained friends however.Belcher was a handsome, well-mannered and popular fighter, and hiscareer soon took off. In 1800, following the retirement of championJohn Jackson, Belcher challenged Daniel Mendoza for the vacantchampionship. The magistrates received information about theplanned fight, and after Mendoza was arrested and bailed, the matchhad to be called off. In December that year Belcher defeated Irishchampion Andrew Gamble in nine minutes, becoming champion ofEngland. In 1801 he defeated Joe Berks (or Bourke). After the fightboth fighters and their seconds were imprisoned. The two men metagain in 1802, when Belcher was victorious. After fighting JohnFirby, the Young Ruffian, in 1802, Belcher was again charged withrioting and fighting.Belcher’s glory days came to an abrupt end when he lost an eyeduring a rackets match in 1803. He took over the Jolly Brewers pub inWardour Street, London, but unwisely re-entered the ring against HenPearce, the Game Chicken, in 1805. By then his health haddeteriorated and he was defeated. He made further attempts to regainhis status when he took on Bristol boxer Tom Cribb in 1807 and 1809,but was defeated both times, and did not fight again. Very good condition. This listing includes the complete entire original newspaper, NOT just a clipping or a page of it. STEPHEN A. GOLDMAN HISTORICAL NEWSPAPERS stands behind all of the items that we sell with a no questions asked, money back guarantee. Every item we sell is an original newspaper printed on the date indicated at the beginning of its description. U.S. buyers pay priority mail postage which includes waterproof plastic and a heavy cardboard flat to protect the purchased item from damage in the mail. Upon request by the buyer, we can ship by USPS Media Mail to reduce postage cost; however, please be aware that USPS Media Mail can be very slow in its time of transit to the buyer. International postage is quoted when we are informed as to where the package is to be sent. We do combine postage (to reduce postage costs) for multiple purchases sent in the same package. We list thousands of rare newspapers with dates from 1570 through 2004 on Ebay each week. This is truly SIX CENTURIES OF HISTORY that YOU CAN OWN! Stephen A. Goldman Historical Newspapers has been in the business of buying and selling historical newspapers for over 50 years. Dr. Goldman is a consultant to the Freedom Forum Newseum and a member of the American Antiquarian Society. You can buy with confidence from us, knowing that we stand behind all of our historical items with a 100% money back guarantee. Let our 50+ years of experience work for YOU ! We have hundreds of thousands of historical newspapers (and their very early precursors) for sale. Stephen A. Goldman Historical Newspapers has been in the business of buying and selling historical newspapers for over 50 years. We are located in the charming Maryland Eastern Shore town of OXFORD, Maryland. Dr. Goldman is a consultant to the Freedom Forum Newseum and a member of the American Antiquarian Society. You can buy with confidence from us, knowing that we stand behind all of our historical items with a 100% money back guarantee. Let our 50+ years of experience work for YOU ! We have hundreds of thousands of historical newspapers (and their very early precursors) for sale.We invite customer requests for historical newspapers that are not yet located in our extensive Ebay listing of items. With an inventory of nearly a million historical newspapers (and their early precursors) we are likely have just the one YOU are searching for.WE ARE ALSO ACTIVE BUYERS OF HISTORICAL NEWSPAPERS, including large and small personal collections, bound volumes, significant individual issues, or deaccessions from libraries and historical societies. IF YOU WANT TO SELL, WE WANT TO BUY !!! Powered by SixBit's eCommerce Solution

Price: 35 USD

Location: Oxford, Maryland

End Time: 2025-02-04T19:44:11.000Z

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