James Figg
English fighter with weapons and bare fists, who in 1719 opened an arena in London's Marylebone and taught boxing, fencing and stick and cudgel fighting there.
Quick Facts
United KingdomBiography
James Figg was born before 1700 in Thame, Oxfordshire; the year of his birth is disputed, with sources giving anywhere from 1684 to 1695. In London he built a reputation as a versatile fighter and taught both armed combat and bare-knuckle boxing.
He fought chiefly with short swords, staffs (quarterstaff) and cudgels. He fought 23 bouts against his repeated rival Rowland Bennet. He claimed to have won more than 200 duels, and by October 1730 his 271st bout without defeat was recorded. His only recorded defeat was inflicted by Edward "Ned" Sutton, who wounded him in the stomach and leg. We have not been able to verify who taught him to fight.
In 1719 he opened an arena for more than 1000 spectators on Oxford Road in Marylebone, where he taught boxing, fencing, and stick and cudgel fighting. On 20 January 1725 he staged the first international boxing match, in which Albert di Carni and Bob Whitaker faced each other. In June 1731 he moved his teaching to Poland Street, and his original arena was taken over by his pupil Thomas Sibblis; his pupils also included William Flanders and William Gill.
In the autumn of 1729 he became keeper of the upper St James's Park. He was friends with the painter William Hogarth, who depicted him in several paintings. He died on 8 December 1734 and was buried on 12 December in St Marylebone church; according to tradition his son was born the day after the funeral. In 1992 he was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame, and in 2010 into the Bare Knuckle Boxing Hall of Fame.
Associated Martial Arts
Achievements and honours
- International Boxing Hall of FameHall of Fame · 1992
- Bare Knuckle Boxing Hall of FameHall of Fame · 2010