Molyneux, Tom
Boxing
b. March 27, 1784, Georgetown, SC, or Washington, DC
d. Aug. 4, 1818
The first American to fight for the London Prize Ring championship, Molyneux was a slave who was reportedly given his freedom after winning a match on which his owner, Algernon Molyneux, had placed a large bet. He went to New York City, where he worked on the docks for several years.
Molyneux sailed to England in 1809 to become a professional prize fighter. In London, he met another American black, Bill Richmond, a former boxer who became his trainer. After victories over Bill Burrows and Tom Blake, Molyneux met the British champion, Tom Cribb, on December 18, 1810. He seemed to be winning handily and in the 23rd round he apparently knocked Cribb out. However, Cribb's corner claimed he had been fouled and the long argument that ensued gave the champion a chance to regain his senses.
In the 30th round, Molyneux again knocked Cribb down, but slipped and banged his head against a ring post. Both fighters were unconscious for some time. After they were finally revived, they fought on until Cribb won on a knockout in the 33rd round.
It was later discovered that Molyneux had fractured his skull. He and Cribb fought again on September 28, 1811. Cribb broke Molyneux's jaw in the 10th round and knocked him out in the 11th. Molyneux had four more fights in the next two years, winning two while losing one and drawing one.
While giving sparring exhibitions during a tour of Ireland in 1818, Molyneux became seriously ill as the result of tuberculosis and heavy drinking. He was taken in by the black members of a British Army regiment stationed in Galway and he died in their barracks.