Tom Molineaux

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Tom Molineaux (b. 1784, Virginia d. 1818, Dublin) was an American boxer.

Born into slavery, Molineaux was trained by his father and boxed with other slaves for the entertainment of the plantation owners. Having earned his owner a large sum of money in winnings on bets, Molineaux was granted his freedom, and moved to England where he expected to be able to earn money as a professional boxer.

His first fight in England took place on 24th July, 1810, Molineaux beating Jack Burrows in 65 minutes. In December of that year, having been trained by Bill Richmond, another ex-slave turned boxer, Molineaux challenged Tom Cribb for the English title and narrowly lost in the 39th round.

The return fight on 28th September, 1811, was watched by 15,000 people and saw Molineaux winded early on and finally knocked out in the 11th round.

Molineaux's boxing career came to an end in 1815. After a stint in a debtor's prison he became increasingly dependent on alcohol, and died penniless in Dublin three years later from liver failure.

A hand coloured etching of Molineaux by Robert Dighton is held in the National Portrait Gallery, and a fictionalised account of Molineaux's boxing career appears in Black Ajax, by George MacDonald Fraser.