Tom Molineaux: America's first champion?

[Underweartaker]

Tom Molineaux "The Moor"

Was Tom Molineaux America's first champion?
When he reached the shores of England in 1809, it was this title that he claimed. And with it he proceeded to challenge the world. Presumably Molineaux had partaken in his share of matches prior to his rise as a fistic star in Great Britain. But there were and are no records to back his claim, no newspaper accounts detailing his so called championship battles. But it was clear, as it is today, that Tom Molineaux, a former slave from Virginia, was a world class miller, one of great bottom, skill and courage. And one who came within a breadth of winning the Championship of the world.

Maybe history has not been kind to Tom Molineaux. For in reality, he was America's first sports celebrity and a great star in his day. It is true that he never gained any great popularity on this side of the great pond. But what of his international achievements? Think for a moment about the courage and determination it took for a former slave with no formal education, skills or money to speak of, to travel to a foreign land and become one of the most celebrated champions of his time. When taking into consideration the barriers that "The Black" must have encountered, it is a great wonder that Tom Molineaux even made it to scratch against Tom Cribb "The Champion of Champions".

What happened that cold, dreary and rainy day on Copthall Common in the winter of 1810 may have been the most blatant robbery in the history of the prize ring. For on that day, it was Tom Molineaux who should have been crowned Champion. In the 28th round of what had been a titanic struggle, The Moor, as Molineaux was known, knocked the great Cribb to the ground with a telling series of blows. The champion was dragged to his corner by his seconds and worked on feverishly. Both combatants were feeling the affects of their fierce combat, but Cribb was near insensibe. When the referee signalled "time" to call the men to scratch, Molineaux rose from Bill Richmond's knee and toe'd the line. Cribb rose as well, but as he swayed in the air like a weakened tree, his knees buckled and the great champion fell face first to the ground. His seconds rushed to his aid as the referee, for the second turn called "time". Cribb's seconds tried in vain to prop their man at attention but to no avail. Molineaux stood and watched as the rain peppered his face, he himself swaying on unsteady pins. The call of "time" rang out for the third time and Tom Cribb was no closer to scratch than he was at the first call. The referee turned towards Molineaux as Bill Richmond burst from his corner in jubilation of his charge's victory. But before the coronation had begun, Jem Ward sprang from Cribb's corner and grabbed old Bill by the neck. A melee ensued, as Ward accused Richmond of giving Molineaux "bullets". The referee called to Molineaux to open his hands in order for the foul to be disclaimed and the Moor exposed his naked palms. Richmond took after Ward and a hot brawl commenced as men from the warring factions broke the outer ring. Molineaux was caught in the tempest as bodies banged, cursed and entagled. It was a full fifteen minutes before order was restored. Tom Molineaux, who now stood in a solitary corner of the set-to his skin wet, his bones chilled and his teeth chattering, had lost his championship before he had ever won it.

Of course the record books only record that Cribb, who received a steady diet of Brandy and blankets whilst the pademonium created by Ward continued on, went on to outlast the brave Molineaux who in the fortieth round turned to no one in particular and stated through swollen, bloodied lips, "I can fight no more."

Tom Molineaux, America's first champion, had lost. To Cribb yes, but even more so to the weather, the chicanery of Joe Ward and his crew and to the racial climate of his time which simply did not make room for fair play.

By Kevin Smith