John "Jack" Knifton
(the "81-tonner")
Knifton was a big man and a strong puncher but not much of a boxer.BORN : January 22 1855; St. Cyrus, Scotland
(Some sources report January 30, 1856)
DIED : May 6 1896; London, England |
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1876
Aug Walter Watson London, Eng WF 4
1877
May 12 Jem Madden London, Eng KO 1
May 19 Walter Watson London, Eng KO 1
May 19 Tom Tully London, Eng W 3
-The previous 2 bouts were held the same date
as part of a Heavyweight Championship Competition
Sep 4 Tom Scrutton London, Eng W 9
-Heavyweight Championship of England;
The fight was stopped by crowd disturbance;
Another site was chosen to finish the fight;
Scrutton did not show; Gloves were used;
Weights: 198 - 210
Sep -Knifton was challenged by Tom Allen for the
Heavyweight Championship of Britain; Knifton
could not raise the money; Allen claimed the
title
1882
Dec Wolf Bendoff London, Eng W 3
Dec 21 Coddy Mddings London, Eng L 3
-This bout was part of a Billy Madden Heavyweight
Competition; Gloves were used
1883
Jan 2 Roger Wallis London, Eng (11:00) D 3
-Gloves were used for this bout
Nov Charlie Mitchell London, Eng (5:00) EX
1884
Jul 10 Jack Massey Pulborough, Eng (40:00) W 38
-Heavyweight Championship of England;
Bare-knuckles were used
Oct 14 Wolf Bendoff London, Eng (1:20:00) KO 10
-Queensberry rules and gloves were used;
Police intervened
1884-1886
-Knifton defeated several minor opponents
1886
Jul -Knifton and Jem Mace went on an exhibition tour
of Britain
Sep 23 Jem Mace Newmarket, Eng EX
Dec 1 Jem Smith in France
-This bout was scheduled but not hold;
Police prevented the bout
Dec 6 Jem Smith London, Eng D
-Police arrived at the site and arguments arose;
Smith wanted to fight; Knifton decided not to;
The fight was called a "draw"
1887
Feb 15 Charles "Toff" Wall Islington, Eng L 3
Feb 16 Charlie Mitchell Westminster, Eng EX 3
Feb 17 Charlie Mitchell Islington, Eng EX 3
Record courtesy of Tracy Callis, International Boxing Research Organization