Harry Holt (Cicero of the Ring)
@harryholt1791.bsky.social
Forgotten to history Harry Holt (1791-1844) was one of the most recognisable names in the London Prize Ring during the 1820’s. This is the true story of Harry Holt Pugilist, Publican, Fight Promoter & Reporter once know as the ‘Cicero of the Ring'
20Dec1824 Metcalf defeats Captain Parker in a running match of 1/4 mile (400m) for £1000 at Sunbury Common. Metcalf won 54 1/2sec to Captain Parker’s 55 1/2sec. The Captain was trained by Harry Holt who sparred & walked with him to increase fitness.
December 20, 2024 at 10:12 AM
20Dec1824 Metcalf defeats Captain Parker in a running match of 1/4 mile (400m) for £1000 at Sunbury Common. Metcalf won 54 1/2sec to Captain Parker’s 55 1/2sec. The Captain was trained by Harry Holt who sparred & walked with him to increase fitness.
19Dec1822 Celebrity pugilist Thomas Hickman the ‘Gaslight Man’ is buried in Little Britain Church Yard near St Paul's Cathedral after he was killed in a carriage crashed a week before. His grave was dug 18ft deep & a guard placed on it for several nights to stop Resurrectionists.
December 19, 2024 at 12:18 PM
19Dec1822 Celebrity pugilist Thomas Hickman the ‘Gaslight Man’ is buried in Little Britain Church Yard near St Paul's Cathedral after he was killed in a carriage crashed a week before. His grave was dug 18ft deep & a guard placed on it for several nights to stop Resurrectionists.
The Fives’ Court was a large indoor court designed for the game of ‘Fives.’ It held ~1,000 people so a stage was constructed in the middle of the court for sparring Benefits. Entry was 3 shillings & Boxers sparred with mufflers for 3, 4 or 7 rounds depending on their popularity.
December 17, 2024 at 9:18 AM
The Fives’ Court was a large indoor court designed for the game of ‘Fives.’ It held ~1,000 people so a stage was constructed in the middle of the court for sparring Benefits. Entry was 3 shillings & Boxers sparred with mufflers for 3, 4 or 7 rounds depending on their popularity.
Tuesday was the London Prize Ring’s designated fight day but when no fight was arranged the Pugilistic Club held a Benefit for a Boxer at 2pm in the Fives’ Court, St Martin’s Ln (St), Leicester Square on a spot where the Sainsbury Wing of The National Gallery London stands today.
December 16, 2024 at 8:05 AM
Tuesday was the London Prize Ring’s designated fight day but when no fight was arranged the Pugilistic Club held a Benefit for a Boxer at 2pm in the Fives’ Court, St Martin’s Ln (St), Leicester Square on a spot where the Sainsbury Wing of The National Gallery London stands today.
In 1831 the Tennis Courts were converted to an Amphitheatre for Cooke’s Equestrian Circus. In c1851 it became the Argyll Rooms then the Trocadero Music Hall (1882) & after the creation of Shaftesbury Ave (1886) it became a restaurant. Now it’s the Picturehouse Central cinema.
December 15, 2024 at 8:37 AM
In 1831 the Tennis Courts were converted to an Amphitheatre for Cooke’s Equestrian Circus. In c1851 it became the Argyll Rooms then the Trocadero Music Hall (1882) & after the creation of Shaftesbury Ave (1886) it became a restaurant. Now it’s the Picturehouse Central cinema.
13Dec1825 Harry Holt spars with his student Alec Reed at Jack Scroggins’ Benefit at the Tennis Courts.
‘This was a good scientific display. Alec was very busy never left his man for an instant & Holt’s bellows being rather out of repair, he was on this occasion second best.’
‘This was a good scientific display. Alec was very busy never left his man for an instant & Holt’s bellows being rather out of repair, he was on this occasion second best.’
December 13, 2024 at 8:11 AM
13Dec1825 Harry Holt spars with his student Alec Reed at Jack Scroggins’ Benefit at the Tennis Courts.
‘This was a good scientific display. Alec was very busy never left his man for an instant & Holt’s bellows being rather out of repair, he was on this occasion second best.’
‘This was a good scientific display. Alec was very busy never left his man for an instant & Holt’s bellows being rather out of repair, he was on this occasion second best.’
12Dec1826 Ned NEAL defeats Phil SAMPSON in 10 rounds and 1hr6min at South Mimms Common. NEAL was Seconded by his trainer, Harry HOLT & Josh HUDSON, SAMPSON by Jem WARD & Jem BURNS (£200 a side)
December 12, 2024 at 9:21 AM
12Dec1826 Ned NEAL defeats Phil SAMPSON in 10 rounds and 1hr6min at South Mimms Common. NEAL was Seconded by his trainer, Harry HOLT & Josh HUDSON, SAMPSON by Jem WARD & Jem BURNS (£200 a side)
10Dec1822 Rising star & celebrity pugilist Tom HICKMAN the 'Gaslight Man'(pic) & his patron Mr ROE are killed when their single horse ‘chaise’ crashes near Whetstone on their way home from watching Tom SHELTON defeat Josh HUDSON at Harpenden Common 25 miles from London
December 10, 2024 at 8:09 AM
10Dec1822 Rising star & celebrity pugilist Tom HICKMAN the 'Gaslight Man'(pic) & his patron Mr ROE are killed when their single horse ‘chaise’ crashes near Whetstone on their way home from watching Tom SHELTON defeat Josh HUDSON at Harpenden Common 25 miles from London
Big Ben the Great Bell (Clock Tower) at Westminster Palace was supposedly named after the pugilist Ben CAUNT who claimed prizefightings converted title of Championship of England from 1838-45.
December 9, 2024 at 8:08 AM
Big Ben the Great Bell (Clock Tower) at Westminster Palace was supposedly named after the pugilist Ben CAUNT who claimed prizefightings converted title of Championship of England from 1838-45.
8Dec1840 Articles to Fight are signed between ‘Big Ben’ CAUNT & Nick WARD for a highly anticipated fight to decide the Championship of England on 2Feb1841 within 60 miles of London.
December 8, 2024 at 8:46 AM
8Dec1840 Articles to Fight are signed between ‘Big Ben’ CAUNT & Nick WARD for a highly anticipated fight to decide the Championship of England on 2Feb1841 within 60 miles of London.
7Dec1824 George COOPER has a benefit at the Fives Court where Harry Holt spars with Jack Randall. ‘HARRY HOLT & JACK RANDALL afforded a high treat. Harry Holt who is “grace itself” was too quick for him & speaking impartially, had the best of the bout.’ (Morning Chronicle 8Dec1824)
December 7, 2024 at 8:29 AM
7Dec1824 George COOPER has a benefit at the Fives Court where Harry Holt spars with Jack Randall. ‘HARRY HOLT & JACK RANDALL afforded a high treat. Harry Holt who is “grace itself” was too quick for him & speaking impartially, had the best of the bout.’ (Morning Chronicle 8Dec1824)
George Head trained dozens of contemporary pugilists including Ned Painter, Tom Spring (Champion), Joe Parish & Jack Martin. It’s also likely that Harry Holt had early instruction from Head while his (Harry’s) father was incarcerated with George in the Fleet Prison (1811-1814).
December 6, 2024 at 8:33 PM
George Head trained dozens of contemporary pugilists including Ned Painter, Tom Spring (Champion), Joe Parish & Jack Martin. It’s also likely that Harry Holt had early instruction from Head while his (Harry’s) father was incarcerated with George in the Fleet Prison (1811-1814).
6Dec1826 respected teacher of pugilism George HEAD dies in poverty at his ‘lodgings’ in Flint Street, Friar Street, Lambeth. He was buried on Sunday the 17th December 1826 at St Mary’s, Lambeth aged between 50-59yrs.
December 6, 2024 at 8:30 AM
6Dec1826 respected teacher of pugilism George HEAD dies in poverty at his ‘lodgings’ in Flint Street, Friar Street, Lambeth. He was buried on Sunday the 17th December 1826 at St Mary’s, Lambeth aged between 50-59yrs.
Charles Dickens was Court Reporter at the Old Bailey for John Fairburn’s ‘Chapbook’ when the ‘Italian Boy’ case was heard. It partly resulted in the Anatomy Act 1832 allowing for bodies to be given to Anatomy & Medical Schools for dissection putting Bodysnatchers out of work.
December 5, 2024 at 8:49 PM
Charles Dickens was Court Reporter at the Old Bailey for John Fairburn’s ‘Chapbook’ when the ‘Italian Boy’ case was heard. It partly resulted in the Anatomy Act 1832 allowing for bodies to be given to Anatomy & Medical Schools for dissection putting Bodysnatchers out of work.
5Dec1831 ‘London Burkers’ John Bishop & Thomas Williams are hung at Newgate in front of 30,000 spectators for the murder of a young boy to sell his body (‘Italian Boy’ murder). Bishop admits stealing & selling an additional 500-1000 bodies over a 12yr period.
December 5, 2024 at 8:35 AM
5Dec1831 ‘London Burkers’ John Bishop & Thomas Williams are hung at Newgate in front of 30,000 spectators for the murder of a young boy to sell his body (‘Italian Boy’ murder). Bishop admits stealing & selling an additional 500-1000 bodies over a 12yr period.
The ‘Rat Killing Dog,’ Billy was a white & tan Terrier who famously killed 100 rats in 6 1/2min during a ‘Rat Bait’ in 1823. His owner Charles Drew was Office Keeper & Messenger for the Queen’s Square Police Office & often exhibited Billy at Westminster Pit.
December 4, 2024 at 8:01 AM
The ‘Rat Killing Dog,’ Billy was a white & tan Terrier who famously killed 100 rats in 6 1/2min during a ‘Rat Bait’ in 1823. His owner Charles Drew was Office Keeper & Messenger for the Queen’s Square Police Office & often exhibited Billy at Westminster Pit.
3Dec1826 Billy the famous ‘Rat Killing Dog’ fell into an open sewer chasing a rat. Billy was rescued but great fear was held for his life until ‘an eminent physician’ attended on it & saved the dogs life. The physician was the brother in-law of the pugilist Harry Jones.
December 2, 2024 at 9:04 PM
3Dec1826 Billy the famous ‘Rat Killing Dog’ fell into an open sewer chasing a rat. Billy was rescued but great fear was held for his life until ‘an eminent physician’ attended on it & saved the dogs life. The physician was the brother in-law of the pugilist Harry Jones.
‘However frivolous a company may be, still while you are among them, do not show them by your inattention that you think them so; but rather take their tone, & conform in some degree to their weakness, instead of manifesting your contempt for them.’ #Chesterfield1774
December 1, 2024 at 8:33 PM
‘However frivolous a company may be, still while you are among them, do not show them by your inattention that you think them so; but rather take their tone, & conform in some degree to their weakness, instead of manifesting your contempt for them.’ #Chesterfield1774
With the near fatal loss to Jack Scroggins on the 30th November 1820, Harry Holt’s Prizefighting career ended & he never entered the Prize Ring as a professional fighter again, instead he turned to training & promoting the Ring as one of the sport’s most devoted & staunch advocates of the era.
November 30, 2024 at 9:30 PM
With the near fatal loss to Jack Scroggins on the 30th November 1820, Harry Holt’s Prizefighting career ended & he never entered the Prize Ring as a professional fighter again, instead he turned to training & promoting the Ring as one of the sport’s most devoted & staunch advocates of the era.
‘It was a much better fight than has been seen when boxers have been in training for 6 wks…It was a most gallant battle on both sides; but the blows of Holt were not hard enough to stop (Scroggins). The accident Holt received in the 24th, perhaps, lost him the fight.’ Pierce Egan(1821)
November 29, 2024 at 10:19 PM
‘It was a much better fight than has been seen when boxers have been in training for 6 wks…It was a most gallant battle on both sides; but the blows of Holt were not hard enough to stop (Scroggins). The accident Holt received in the 24th, perhaps, lost him the fight.’ Pierce Egan(1821)
At 11.30pm on Thursday the 30th November 1820 in front of a small select group of pugilists & ‘Fancy’ Harry Holt set-to with Jack Scroggins in a ‘Hard Room-Fight’ at the Hole-in-the-Wall public house in Chancery Lane for 10 guineas. #bareknuckle #boxing #history
November 29, 2024 at 10:10 PM
At 11.30pm on Thursday the 30th November 1820 in front of a small select group of pugilists & ‘Fancy’ Harry Holt set-to with Jack Scroggins in a ‘Hard Room-Fight’ at the Hole-in-the-Wall public house in Chancery Lane for 10 guineas. #bareknuckle #boxing #history
30Nov1820 While dining at Jack Randall’s Hole-in-the-Wall, Chancery Lane a match between Harry HOLT & Jack SCROGGINS is suggested “Why as to that there matter” says SCROGGINS “it’s no match; I can lick him like a baby” HOLT thanked him for his candour before insisting the matter be decide instantly.
November 29, 2024 at 9:59 PM
30Nov1820 While dining at Jack Randall’s Hole-in-the-Wall, Chancery Lane a match between Harry HOLT & Jack SCROGGINS is suggested “Why as to that there matter” says SCROGGINS “it’s no match; I can lick him like a baby” HOLT thanked him for his candour before insisting the matter be decide instantly.
Bareknuckle Boxing Champions of England from James Fig in 1719 to Jem Mace & Tom King in 1863.
Pugilistica, A History of British Boxing Vol 1 by Henry Downes Miles.
Pugilistica, A History of British Boxing Vol 1 by Henry Downes Miles.
November 29, 2024 at 3:30 AM
Bareknuckle Boxing Champions of England from James Fig in 1719 to Jem Mace & Tom King in 1863.
Pugilistica, A History of British Boxing Vol 1 by Henry Downes Miles.
Pugilistica, A History of British Boxing Vol 1 by Henry Downes Miles.
Nov1821 Harry Holt accompanies Tom Spring (pic) to Harry Harmer’s The Plough at West Smithfield where Spring confronts a man for insulting him. Spring throws a few punches before Harmer stepped in resulting in an ‘earnest scramble’ involving all 4 men including Holt.
November 17, 2024 at 7:11 AM
Nov1821 Harry Holt accompanies Tom Spring (pic) to Harry Harmer’s The Plough at West Smithfield where Spring confronts a man for insulting him. Spring throws a few punches before Harmer stepped in resulting in an ‘earnest scramble’ involving all 4 men including Holt.
15Nov1846 Ned Neal ‘the Streatham Youth’ dies of liver disease at his house, the Rose & Crown in Norwood aged 42. Neal was a student of Harry Holt & fought 16x in the Prize Ring 13win3loss.
November 17, 2024 at 7:08 AM
15Nov1846 Ned Neal ‘the Streatham Youth’ dies of liver disease at his house, the Rose & Crown in Norwood aged 42. Neal was a student of Harry Holt & fought 16x in the Prize Ring 13win3loss.