Devon wrestling

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Devon wrestling is a type of wrestling that was popular in the nineteenth century. ^[1]

It has similarities to Cornish wrestling but it was reputed to focus more on foot moves and less on throwing. In the eighteenth and nineteenth century many Devon wrestlers used to wear "baked" boots when wrestling, which could cause serious injury to opponents (on rare occasion leading to death).

The best known champion Devon wrestler is Abraham Cann of Colebrooke, Devon ^[2] Cann was the Devon champion and faced the Cornish champion in a match in Morice Town, now in Plymouth, in 1826, watched by a crowd of 17,000.