Jack Broughton

Who was Jack Broughton?

John "Jack" Broughton was an English bare-knuckle boxer. He was the first person to ever codify a set of rules to be used in such contests; prior to this the "rules" that existed were very loosely defined and tended to vary from contest to contest. His seven rules of how boxing would be conducted at his amphitheatre evolved later into the London Prize Ring rules which are widely regarded as the foundation stone of the sport that would become boxing, prior to the development of the Marquess of Queensberry rules in the 1860s.

Broughton was of obscure birth, he is variously described as being born in either London or Gloucestershire. He served his apprenticeship in the Port of London, initially working as a lighterman but eventually, in light of his physical prowess, working as a waterman rowing passengers on the River Thames. In 1730 he won a major annual race on the Thames, Doggett's Coat and Badge race which is contested to this day, against a number of other watermen who had recently finished their apprenticeships.