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The Cyber Boxing Zone Encyclopedia -- Black Dynamite
"Massa Sambo" Sutton
(Thomas Welsh)
(the "Grotesque")
WEIGHT 135-145 lbs
Sutton was a clever fighter who had an up-down career; He was strong, possessed a long reach and delivered stiff blows; He was also quite game; At some point during his career, he lost sight in one of his eyes
Sambo was a delightful person who appeared to be laughing a great deal of the time; He was an excellent dancer and had a trick of standing on his head, kicking his legs around, for long lengths of time
As a young boy, he worked as a cabin boy on a ship where he first learned to box - with shipmates; After he established himself as a fighter, he had great difficulty getting real fights since he was so extremely talented
Early data for Sutton is rare and contradictory; Any facts are welcome1835 May 27 Nick Ward Tottenham, England (30:00) W 12 -Some sources report 1836 1836 Dec 20 Harry Preston Woodstock, England (1:30:00) L 53 1838 Mar 27 Nick Ward Bichester, England SCH -This bout was scheduled but not held; Sutton was arrested by police; Some sources report "ND 12" 1839 Jan 19 Jemmy Shaw in England (40:00) L 1841-1842 Oct 25 Bungaree (John Gorrick) Milbourne Heath, England (1:11:00) L 72 1842 Nov 17 Bungaree (John Gorrick) Gravesend, England (11:00) W 8 -Some sources report 3/21/43 and state that Gorrick quit 1844 Jan 12 John Sears Twyford, England (45:00) W Mar 26 Bill Jones (30:00) W Jun 24 Appledaddy (Tom Verdun) W 1844-1845 John McGrath L 1845 Jan 21 Billy Jordan WF 34 Mar 11 Billy Jordan W 1848 Jun 20 Alec Keene L
Record courtesy of Tracy Callis, Historian, International Boxing Research Organization