Jack Randall (boxer)

Jack Randall
Randall at 23 from Boxiana, pub. 1818
Statistics
Real name	Jack Randall
Nickname(s)	The Nonpareil (Unequalled) The Prime Irish Lad
Weight(s)	lightweight, welterweight 136-146 lb, 61.6-66.2 kg
Height	5 ft 6 in (1.68 m)
Nationality	British
Born	(1794-11-25)25 November 1794 St. Giles, North of London, England [1]
Died	12 March 1828(1828-03-12) (aged 33) Chancery Lane, West London
Stance	Orthodox, right-handed
Boxing record
Wins	16 [2]
Draws	1

Jack Randall (25 November 1794 – 12 March 1828), nicknamed "The Nonpareil", was an exceptional English bare-knuckle boxer, dominant at his weight class, who fought from 1815–22, and retired undefeated.^[1][2] Colonel Barton was his most frequent patron.

Early life and career[]

Born in North of London in St. Giles, of Irish ancestry and standing only 5'6" tall, the compact and sturdy Randall was one of the dominant pugilists of his era, with all of his 16 wins coming by knockout. Though considered by some as rough and illiterate, those who observed him in the ring described him as a deft pugilist able to adapt to any style, a great defensive combatant and an effective finisher. Often credited as the inventor of the one-two punch, a left jab followed by a rapid right cross, Randall conquered , twice defeated Jack Martin, and starred in a stage version of his ring exploits at London's Regency Theatre.^[2][3]

The archery grounds at Long Field near modern London's Russell Square was where Randall began his career, defeating "Young Snuff" three times. While only 14, he bested Young Leonard, who was a full stone (14 pounds, 6.3 kg) heavier, in a 45 minute contest. While still a youth, he fought Henshaw at West London's Marlybone, a taller man with a full three stone (42 lbs., 18 kg.) advantage in weight to a draw in twenty-five minutes of hard fighting.^[4]

His first better known match was with Jack the Butcher at Regent's Park in London's Marlybone and was fought to resolve a dispute over improper conduct in a fight in which both parties had acted as seconds. The contest was quickly declared in Randall's favor in only twenty minutes. On 26 August 1815, he defeated Walton, the "Twickenham Youth" for five guineas at Coombe Wood. His opponent took only ten minutes to leave the ring from an onslaught of blows, in an amateur bout that thrilled his audience. Coombe Wood is a beautiful woodland area and garden that still exists today in Upper Shirley in Croyden, South London.^[4]

Around 24 April 1816, he defeated George Dodd at Moulsey Hurst in what is now West Molesey, Surrey, seventeen miles Southwest of London. Twenty-five minutes elapsed before victory was declared for Randall, and he collected five guineas, in a well-contested battle.^[4]

Match with Isaac Borrock[]

Randall fought the Jewish boxer Ikey Borrock at Combe Wood on 28 May 1816, winning a purse of six guineas in six rounds. Having already established his reputation, he led in the early betting 6-4. Though appearing more slender than his rival, Randall continuously delivered his signature one-two punch and floored Borrock in nearly every round. Randall used exceptional science, and landed repeated blows to the face of his opponent.^[4] Jackson's Oxford Journal estimated the fight time as twelve minutes for the match, and noted that six matches took place that day, with Randall's match coming second.^[5]

After a delay from an injured finger, he defeated West-Country Dick at Moulsey in Surrey around 3 April 1817 for 25 guineas a side. Randall dominated the 24th through 28th, landing blows nearly at will. In the 29th round, Randall dealt a powerful blow to the mid-section of Dick that caused his opponent to roll into a ball. Dick was able to get up but conceded the match after thirty three and a half minutes. Randall demonstrated a great ability with either hand, but had particular success with his left in this contest.^[4]

He defeated Harry Holt for 25 guineas at Combe Warren on 20 May 1817 in a match lasting 25 minutes and eight rounds, ending the contest with a tremendous right to the head. In the sixth. Randall landed solid rights whenever his left was blocked, and ended the round with a terrible blow to the middle section. In the seventh, he had his way and clearly dominating, landed blows at will.^[4]

Match with "Abey" Belasco[]

"Abey" Belasco, circa 1818

Randall (left) and Belasco

Randall defeated the well known Jewish boxer Abraham "Abey" Belasco, a close friend of the great English heavyweight champion Daniel Mendoza, on 30 September 1817, at Shepperton Range, Surrey, 15 miles southwest of London, for the substantial sum of 50 guineas a side. Randall, his winning record known, led in the early betting, but by close odds of only 11-10. He entered the ring at around 148 lbs. (67.13 kg), while Belasco weighed roughly eight pounds more. His opponent was known for his desperate and effective infighting, and was considered a skilled, scientific boxer. Randall's ability to go to the head to finish a fight was known to the crowd, and an integral part of his boxing strategy.

Belasco from Famous Fights

As early as the first round, Randall went to the head, but Belasco, still fresh, countered effectively, and no blood was drawn. The first round was fought with great caution and with as few as four blows delivered, as both boxers were highly skilled and cautious of the other's ability, and it was known that the boxer who drew first blood would greatly affect the betting odds. Randall dominated the second round, drawing first blood with a blow to the mouth, and in the fourth turned the tide with a powerful left that penetrated Belasco's guard, putting him quickly down. As late as the fifth, though trailing in the match, Belasco demonstrated skilful infighting to end the round, and floored his opponent, though Randall was still in command of the match. In a masterfully fought scientific match that drew great interest from the public, Randall faithfully worked Belaso's body for the seven rounds before finally tasting victory after 54 minutes in the sixth. The final blow was a powerful right to the eye of Belasco that rendered him senseless and ended the match. Belasco "staggered, fainted, and fell" from the pain. Pierce Egan wrote of the match that "by the admirers of scientific efforts, ...of seeing a fight won without ferocity and gluttony...the fight between Randall and Belasco may be pronounced one of the most perfect specimens of pugilism ever witnessed." After dominating Belasco, Bell's Life in London wrote of Randall that "His hitting and getting away, his style of stopping and returning, with the excellent judgment he manifested, added to his activity and quickness on his legs, all tended to stamp him as one of the most finished boxers of his weight."^[6] According to Boxiana, Randal's ring name "The Nonpareil", implying that as a boxer he was unequaled or unrivaled, was earned in this match.^[4][7][1][8] The following month, on 21 October 1817, Randall fought a sparring contest against the boxer Jack Scroggins for the benefit of Belasco, whose eye he had injured in their match the prior month.^[9]

Match with Joe Parish[]

Randall fought Joe "The Waterman" Parish on 27 November 1817 at Hayes Common at Kent, an area of open land in the London borough of Bromley, and won in 11 rounds, 53 minutes. Watermen, in 19th century London, generally ferried people across waterways, often the Thames, and in many cases were skilled oarsmen. In a complete victory, Randall rarely began a blow to the head that missed, and Parish never had a chance of turning the battle in his favor. Randall dominated the ninth, reigning numerous blows on Parish. It was noted that Randall advanced well to his opponents head, and finished strongly and that he judged distances well, rarely missing his target.^[10][4]

According to Bell's Life in London, a reliable source, Jack next met Burke of Woolwich, for one hundred guineas per boxer, on 16 June 1818, at Wimbledon Common and added to his wins after twenty-three rounds, taking forty-five minutes.^[6] Burke was six inches taller than Randall, at 5 feet, 10 inches (1.52 meters). Puglistica, generally considered a more reliable source than Bell's, wrote that the two boxed a few days after the Belasco fight in September 1817, at Tom Oliver's, and that it was basically an amateur affair using gloves. It is conceivable that the two boxers met twice, once in an amateur bout, and once in the professional bout at Wimbledon Common, but they certainly did meet and fight at least once. Bell's Life could have made an error in the date, but the fight occurred, although according to most sources it was not a fight of major importance in Randall's boxing record, nor one of the more well attended.^[4]

Match with Ned Turner[]

Ned Turner, circa 1818

The Interior of the Fives Court, St Martin's Lane, with Randall, and Turner sparring

Randall defeated the Welshman Ned Turner, an exceptional boxer, in one of his most important matches on 5 December 1818 at Crawley Downs in 34 rounds. Randall was the betting favourite despite both men being evenly matched in weight, and age, and Turner being a mere inch taller. Though the first three rounds featured few exchanges and very cautious science, by the fourth, Turner's nose was bleedly badly.

Having retained greater speed or strength than his opponent, Randall "fibbed" Turner heavily in the fifth, a tactic consisting of holding the head or body and striking with the opposite hand. The tactic was deemed illegal when the Marquis of Queensbury rules were adopted in 1867. In the 13th, Randall knocked Turner to the ground with two hard lefts, and in the seventeenth, Turner threw Randall out of the ring. By the 24th round, Randall had nearly complete control of the match. As late as the 26th and 27th rounds, Turner traded blows and fought with science, but lacked the steam to slow Randall or lead the fighting. In the 32nd, a number of the spectators urged Turner to give up the match to avoid further punishment particularly to his battered face, but it was not until round 34 when Randall ended the contest with a knockout blow to the head, ending the match in 2 hours, 19 and a half minutes. London's Morning Post noted that both men showed great control and science in their boxing, and feints and parries abounded, but Turner suffered far more, and most significantly lacked the hitting power of Randall.^[11][1] London's Observer noted that Randal was far more effective in the execution of his science, and though Turner showed nerve and unquestionable courage, the science of his art was not quite the equal of Randall's. Randall's hits were "terribly conclusive", while Turner "seemed unable to strike a severe blow".^[12]

Matches with Jack Martin[]

In his next fight, on 4 May 1819, he faced the well known boxer Jack Martin, a baker by trade, before an impressive crowd of 25,000 at Crawley Downs. Puglistica approximated that Martin, weighed as much as a stone more than Randall, slightly over 168 pounds (76 kg) to Martin's 150 (68 kg). Martin's greater reach proved a significant obstacle for Randall. To counter his shorter reach, Randall went inside to Martin's ribs and stomach to force him to drop his guard, quickly allowing him to reach Martin's head. Randall proved the winner in 49 minutes, 10 seconds, in a match lasting 19 rounds. He won the victory with comparative ease, and except for a slight mark on his left eye and a scratch on his ear, he had no signs of having been in a boxing match. After his victory, Randall used his prize winnings to open his own public house or Saloon, "The Hole in the Wall" on Chancery-Lane, where he would work and reside the rest of his life. His saloon's opening date was 17 August 1819, according to Bell's London Life,^[1][4]

Martin boldy insisted he would win given a second chance, and urged on by his fans, Randall consented to a rematch. Randall won before an impressive crowd of 20,000 according to the Exeter Flying Post on 16 September 1821 at Crawley Downs in East Grimstead, 30 miles from London. Randall led as a 5-2 favorite in the early betting. Despite Martin's insistence he would win, the outcome of the match was quickly decided, and consisted of only 1 round lasting slightly under minutes. Randall battered the formerly boastful Martin throughout the round, dropping him to the ground, and leaving him unable to continue. Paddington Jones seconded for Randall. The purse of 300 guineas a side was likely Randall's largest, but considering the size of the crowd and the volume of betting, a reasonable amount to offer the winner of the match. Puglistica wrote that "the excellence of Martin was so great that no one could have complained to go fifty miles at any time to witness such a display of the art".^[1][13][4] Randall attempted to set additional fights with Martin, but as he continued to demand a sum of 300 guineas, they never took place or ended in forfeits.^[6]

Stage performer and boxing exhibitor[]

Boxing benefit at the Fives-Court

Randall had become so popular by 1819 that the manager of London's Regency Theatre gave him a salary to exhibit his boxing skills in exhibitions and to perform shadowboxing for audiences. In the early 1820s he appeared as weekly entertainment at the theatre.^[1] He did not box professionally during this time, but donned his gloves and exhibited at benefits at London's Fives-Court on St. Martin’s Street, Leicester-fields, often with his friend and well known boxer Jem Belcher. Fives was a sport similar to modern handball and the courts were a popular place for boxers to perform their art. Admission was charged and as many as 1000 could attend an exhibition. The upper classes and nobles were not uncommon in the audience, and had their own dressing room, though most in attendance were middle class patrons.^[4] In 1823 he attended benefits for Dick Curtis and Tom Spring, and though he discussed terms of another boxing match with Gypsey Cooper, they did not come to fruition.^[4][14]

In one of his last public appearances, he attended a memorial for his boxing rival and friend Ned Turner on 18 April 1826, and addressed the audience. He attended Turner's funeral five days later at Aldgate Churchyard with some of the most exceptional boxers of the era including Tom Owen, Harry Holt, and the boxing reporter who helped immortalize Randall, Pierce Egan.^[15]

Death at 33[]

Randall struggled with alcoholism, particularly late in life. Puglistica described the effects of "blue ruin" or cheap gin on his constitution as early as 1819-20, and noted that he was a "persistent drinker of ardent spirits". On 12 March 1828, he succumbed to an illness of around ten weeks, and died at his home, the public house Hole-in-the-Wall on West London's Chancery Lane at the early age of 33, leaving a widow and two children.^[6] Puglistica noted that "Jack never possessed the moral courage to say No to a drop with every customer who proposed to wet an eye". His causes of death included "gout, complicated with a disorganization of the liver and a fatty degeneration of the heart". An historic landmark, a replica of his pub, known as Jack Randall's still stands at 45 Chancery Lane today.^[16][17][18]

He was buried on 19 March 1828 near his birthplace at St Giles in the Fields Churchyard, 60 St. Giles High Street, Holborn, in the London Borough of Camden.^[19]

Honors[]

Randall was admired by the foremost prizefighting reporter of the period, Pierce Egan, who also delighted in Randall's Irish parentage:

'JACK RANDALL, DENOMINATED (THE Prime Irish Lad, otherwise the NONPAREIL.)

The Prize-Ring (1818) does not boast of a more accomplished boxer than RANDALL; nor of any pugilist, who, in so short a period, has made greater progress towards arriving at the top of the tree than he has done'. (Boxiana, vol. II, 1818).^[20]

He was elected to the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2005, as a member of the "Pioneers" category, and the bare-knuckle Boxing Hall of Fame in 2011.^[2]

Selected bouts[]

References[]

External links[]

• Randall's biography at the IBHOF