Simon Byrne

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The only known image of Simon Byrne, a poster advertising the match between Alexander McKay (left) and Simon Byrne (right).

Simon Byrne (1806 – 2 June 1833), nicknamed "The Emerald Gem", was an Irish bare-knuckle prize fighter. The heavyweight boxing champion of Ireland, he was drawn to England by the larger sums of prize money and his hopes to become the heavyweight champion there as well. He became one of only six fighters worldwide to have been involved in fatal fights as both survivor and deceased since records began in 1741.^[1] His death was a factor contributing to the improvement of safety standards in English boxing.

Byrne fought in an era when English boxing, though illegal, was patronised by many powerful individuals. Its patronage and popularity did not, however, free it from corruption, heavy betting, and staged fights. Byrne fought just eight recorded matches. His career and notability can be evaluated by just three of those contests: his fights against Alexander McKay, Jem Ward, and James Burke. In the fight with McKay, McKay was killed; in the following fight against Ward, Byrne lost and was said to have been unfit to fight; and in his final bout against James Burke, Byrne himself was killed.

[edit] Early 19th-century English boxing

A typical 19th century boxing match, often held in warehouses, courtyards of inns, or in open fields away from the eyes of local authorities. This particular painting was by Byrne's friend Jem Ward.

During the first half of the 19th century, pugilism (better known as prize-fighting) held a curious position in British society. Though supported by members of the establishment from the royal princes downwards, it was illegal. It has been argued^[2] that the reason for the illegality was less concern for the welfare of the individual pugilist than concerns arising from the civil unrest, riots and tumult which often arose following a planned fight. Despite the ban, matches were publicised by posters in public places, with the venue changed at the last minute to avoid the authorities — which often led to further public inconvenience and disturbance.

Rules governing the sport were based on those drawn up by Jack Broughton in 1743, which were ambiguous and often open to vague interpretation. Wrestling, biting, gouging of eyes and hitting below the belt were often ignored by the referee. The sport enjoyed an unprecedented surge in popularity during the Regency period when it was openly patronised by the Prince Regent and his brothers. Championship boxing matches acquired a louche reputation as the places to be seen by the wealthy upper classes. Thus a match would often be attended by thousands of people, many of whom had wagered money on the outcome. The Duke of Cumberland (an uncle of King George III) was reported to have bet thousands of pounds on the legendary boxer Jack Broughton.^[3]

By the 1820s, boxing had become a nest of "gambling related corruption".^[2] The epitome of this era was the championship reign of Jem Ward: a fighter known to lose a fight for a fee, who on one occasion admitted taking £100, equivalent to several thousand pounds today. By 1830, the sport had become openly known for its corruption; disqualification and open cheating were common.^[2] The gang of "supporters" which followed Ward's brother Nick often openly intimidated the referee into disqualifying his partners.^[4] It was against this background that Simon Byrne earned his living.

[edit] Early life

Very little is known of Byrne's early life beyond the fact that he was born in Ireland in 1806. His first fight, in 1825, was a loss to Mike Larking; it lasted 138 rounds spread over two and a half hours — despite the fact that at this time a round could vary in length, and usually only ended when a man was knocked down. His second fight was a draw against Jack Manning in 1826, earning Byrne £100. Next was Byrne's first match against the Scottish boxer Alexander McKay, which Byrne won easily in five rounds, earning him a further £100. This match was McKay's first ever prize-fight. This victory was soon followed by a win against Bob Avery, earning a further £50, then another win over Phil Samson in 1829, earning him £200. By the standards of the day these latter sums were enormous; it is therefore surprising that he was then offered £200 for a rematch, regardless of whether he won or not, against the less experienced McKay, whom he had beaten so easily on the first occasion.^[5] Today this would be the equivalent of about £13,000.^[6]

[edit] Byrne versus McKay

Buckingham Gaol, where Byrne was imprisoned in 1830 following the fight against McKay.

The fight against Alexander McKay was to be Byrne's first brush with notoriety. On 2 June 1830, Byrne, billed as "Champion of Ireland", fought McKay, the "Champion of Scotland", for the right to challenge Jem Ward, the heavyweight champion of England.^[2] The match had been organized at Tom Spring's "Castle Tavern", in Holborn. The former champion boxer Tom Spring, as treasurer of the "Fair Play club" — the organization which oversaw boxing — was immensely influential in the boxing world. Along with two other legendary boxers, Gentleman Jackson and Tom Cribb (who also acted as Byrne's manager), he was Byrne's sponsor for the match. Cribb was considered to have been one of the greatest fighters of the era: on one occasion over 20,000 people attended one of his fights.^[2]

Newspaper report of rioting against the Irish population of Dundee following McKay's death. (Larger)

Contracts were signed at Spring's tavern and it was arranged for the fight to take place at Hanslope, Buckinghamshire. However, as a vast crowd of spectators began pouring into Hanslope, the venue was switched at the last minute to Salcey Green, just inside Northamptonshire, thus rendering the Buckinghamshire constables powerless to stop it.

In spite of the publicity and billing given to this fight, it was in fact only McKay's fourth prize-fight. It was the second time Byrne and McKay had fought; two-and-a-half years previously Byrne had defeated him. Since that date McKay had fought and won just three matches^[1] earning him £140, while in the same period Byrne had won £250. Both men were promised £200 for the match whatever its outcome. With one exception, McKay had only ever been paid £40 if he won. Only in his previous match against Paul Spencer had he been promised £100 whatever the outcome. Thus the promised payment was a huge improvement in fortune.

McKay's boxing relied on brute strength rather than scientific pugilistic theory but the fight still lasted for 47 rounds before McKay collapsed under a left punch to the throat that did not seem particularly powerful. He was carried to his corner where he regained consciousness, complaining of severe headache. He was bled by a surgeon on the scene and died at a local inn just over 30 hours later. Post mortem results showed a "considerable effusion of blood, three or four tablespoons full, on the left side of the brain," called subdural haematoma today.^[1] McKay was buried in Hanslope Churchyard with the following inscription on his headstone:

Strong and athletic was my frame

Far from my native home I came

And bravely fought with Simon Byrne

Alas, but never to return.

Stranger take warning from my fate

Lest you should rue your case too late

If you have ever fought before

Determine now to fight no more^[7]

The result of the fight attracted wide publicity and led to rioting in the streets of McKay’s homeland. In Dundee, three people died and 200 were injured in the fracas.^[8] In Glasgow, four people died, and the Dragoons were called out to quell rioting after a Roman Catholic church was burned and looted^[9] (the mob would have assumed Byrne, an Irishman, to be a Roman Catholic). Byrne was arrested three days later aboard the ferry to Ireland as he tried to leave the country. He was returned in chains to Buckinghamshire and incarcerated in Buckingham Gaol to await his trial, and the prospect of the gallows.^[10]

[edit] Trial

John Jackson, the most important man in boxing, was one of Byrne's sponsors, and a friend of King George IV.

Byrne's manager, the former champion Tom Cribb. Byrne's sponsor was charged with aiding and abetting manslaughter.

The trial was held at the Assizes in the small rural market town of Buckingham. More used to the trials of local poachers and sheep thieves, Buckingham had never before seen such a spectacle. The town was inundated with journalists and the merely curious. Byrne was charged with manslaughter; also charged for aiding and abetting manslaughter were Tom Cribb, Reuben Martin, Thomas Reynolds, and George Cooper.^[9] With such illustrious names as Cribb's, Jackson's and Spring's involved, the trial had the potential to turn into a huge establishment scandal. People of all classes had bet hundreds of pounds on the outcome of the boxing match. Despite being banned, prize fighting enjoyed huge public support and patronage from levels up to the younger male members of the Royal family, some of whom Jackson had taught to box. The support received by Byrne at his trial is testimony to the wealth of his backers. The establishment rallied to his support and Byrne was represented by three barristers and five solicitors. Twelve witnesses journeyed from London to give evidence on his behalf to the court presided over by Mr. Justice Littledale.

The defence found witnesses who claimed to have seen McKay fall and strike his head on some stones several hours before the fight,^[1] implying he had received a blow to the head before meeting Byrne. The prosecution claimed he had been falling and staggering because he had been drugged before the fight, a rumour believed to have been started by the Glasgow Free Press. The fact that the whole fight was illegal, as was the public assembly of spectators (a crowd which included some of the most influential members of society) does not seem to have been considered in court. This benign neglect is surprising because as recently as 1825, in the case of Rex v. Billingham, Savage and Skinner, it had been deemed that anyone even attending a fight was guilty of an offence.^[11]

Tom Spring, treasurer of English boxing’s controlling "Fair Play Society", chose to be Byrne's sponsor, and second.

Byrne was prosecuted in the name of the King - the same King, George IV, who had openly supported and patronised boxing since his youth.

At the trial Byrne was described by a Bow Street Runner as a "very human kind man" while McKay was "a very large muscular man — a magnificent man".^[5] The jury came to a verdict after only ten minutes of deliberation: "Not guilty". Byrne was once again a free man. However, the image of the sport had been damaged and The Times condemned the "barbarous, filthy and swindling exhibitions called prize fights" and

As to the other miscreant who worked for hire and has therefore accidentally come under the denomination of assassin we say nothing, but we do hope ... that an example will be made of the more wealthy monsters in this affair of blood - the sanguinary cowards who stood by and saw a fellow creature beaten to death for their sport and gain.^[5]

As the "wealthy monsters" patronising boxing included King George IV (who had asked Gentleman Jackson and the country's leading pugilists to act as pages at his coronation in 1821)^[12] and his heir, the Duke of Clarence,^[13] The Times's words fell on deaf ears, and the sport continued unabated. The following year a similar legal case occurred when another boxer was killed. However, in this instance less wealthy patrons and illustrious names were involved, and the manager of the convicted boxer, unlike Tom Cribb, was found guilty of abetting manslaughter and sentenced to 14 years transportation.^[14] In addition, all those attending were found guilty of riot and affray.

[edit] Byrne versus Ward

Jem Ward, circa 1825.

Cleared of any responsibility for McKay's death, Byrne collected his £200 fighting prize, and as the victor of the fight in 1831 fought the English heavyweight champion Jem Ward. This fight has been described as a "disgraceful affair", and suggestions have been made that its outcome was fixed.^[15]

Seemingly unchastened by their brush with the law, the great names of boxing were once again in attendance on Byrne. However, the fight seems to have begun with an element of farce. Tom Spring — who had organised the fight, its prize money, and supervised the signing of the fight's contract at his Castle Tavern in Holborn — decided to act as Byrne's second. This situation would be akin to a modern day boxing promoter and bookmaker entering the ring to openly support one boxer. Whatever the morality of the situation, Spring arrived in the locality of Stratford-on-Avon, where the fight was to be fought, to find all methods of transport to the site taken. The only conveyance left was a funeral hearse in which he was forced to arrive at the scene of the fight.^[16]

Earlier in his career Ward had become the first boxer in history to be banned for being paid to lose a fight. In his fight against Byrne, though, Ward, the older boxer and now keen to retain his title, was the victor. If the fight were fixed, then it was Byrne who would have been the one paid to lose. Tom Spring, acting as Byrne's second, pulled Byrne out in the thirty-third round. It has been said that Byrne was out of condition and too out of training to be in the fight,^[16] and this could be what the commentator Gilbert Odd was referring to when he described the fight as "disgraceful".^[17] Following the fight, Ward and Byrne seem to have become friends, as Ward became Byrne's supporter in his later fights.

[edit] Byrne versus Burke

James Burke, nicknamed "The Deaf Un" or "Deaf Burke" on account of his sensorineural hearing loss.

James Burke, 6 feet 2 inches (1.88 m) tall, weighing 200 lb (90 kg), and handicapped by deafness, was the champion of England — although not acknowledged by all because Jem Ward had retired refusing to fight Burke. Burke had assumed the championship after defeating Harry Macone in one of the prolonged brutal fights for which Burke was known.^[18] Ward, who had faced public criticism for refusing to fight Burke,^[19] felt that Byrne was the better fighter and promised to acknowledge the victor of a fight between Burke and Byrne. The match took place in May 1833 on Nomansland, a tract of common land between the villages of Sandridge and Wheathampstead in Hertfordshire. Tom Spring was once again in Byrne's corner, and in true Burke style the match lasted for over 3 hours. In all, 99 rounds were fought and the contest was bloody. For the most part Byrne seemed to be in control, and Burke’s ear had been badly bitten through (The London Prize Ring rules forbidding such tactics had yet to be put in place).^[20] Burke finally knocked Byrne unconscious, thus seeming to secure his claim to the championship. A contemporary newspaper report of the day reported a blow-by-blow account of a fair match.^[21] Surprisingly Ward refused to acknowledge Burke as the new champion and refused to hand over the ceremonial championship belt to him. He had been supporting his old adversary Byrne, and was rumoured to have bet a large amount of money on Byrne's potential victory. Ward claimed himself to still be the champion of England.

Byrne was carried in a state of exhaustion from the ring to "The Woolpack" inn in nearby St Albans. There the retired boxer Tom Spring, one of his patrons, attended him. On the evening of the fight, Byrne was considered to be close to death. However, during the following two days he seemed to be recovering, and was sufficiently conscious to thank his friends for their ministrations. His condition worsened in the afternoon of Saturday 1 June 1833 and he died the following day.^[22] He was buried near the west door of St Albans Abbey.

[edit] After Byrne's death

Almost immediately after Byrne's death, rumours began to circulate about the circumstances of the fight. Tom Spring has been blamed for allowing the fight to continue for 99 rounds.^[16] He had not hesitated to pull Byrne out after 33 rounds the previous year in the championship match against Ward.

Another theory suggested that the less than incorruptible Ward himself had an interest in Byrne fighting to a victory whatever the cost.^[15] This theory was hinted at in a popular poem composed by Jemmy Catnatch, the catchpenny publisher of Seven Dials:

On Thursday, May the 30th day, Brave Simon took the ring,

Back'd by Jem Ward the champion, likewise by Gallant Spring,

To fight Burke for two hundred pounds, a man of courage bold,

To stop reports that with Ward the battle he had sold.^[16]

Ward was 33 at the time of the fight, and Burke was only 24, yet Ward had faced a large amount of humiliating criticism for refusing to fight Burke himself. Ward certainly had a motive for wanting to see Burke destroyed, one way or the other. As it happened, although victorious, the death of his opponent virtually destroyed Burke's English boxing career.

Burke was promptly arrested and tried for Byrne's murder, but he was acquitted on 11 July 1833 and subsequently freed. A fight was arranged for him a week later that he had to cancel as he was unable to find patrons to sponsor him.^[23] Opponents were reluctant to fight him. Without patrons or an income, he was forced to act in exhibition fights. It seemed that the doors of the English boxing world were now closed to him. This was a curious situation considering the influential Tom Spring, himself, almost carried the exhausted Byrne in the 99th round to the mark, and that a court had acquitted Burke of wrongdoing. The same understanding shown to Byrne following his acquittal for manslaughter was not shown to Burke.

"Bendigo" Thompson's defeat of Burke in 1839 and Ward's subsequent acknowledgement of Thomson as English Champion finally allowed Byrne's memory to be laid to rest.

The new Irish champion Sam O'Rourke challenged Burke for the title, insisting the match take place in Ireland. Remembering the riots in Dundee after the death of McKay three years earlier, Burke feared the hostile Irish crowd would seek vengeance for Byrne's death and refused to travel. Eventually Burke was persuaded to travel to the comparative safety of the United States for the fight. He fought O'Rourke in New Orleans, Louisiana. However, even here his reputation had preceded him and the pro-Irish crowd rioted forcing Burke to flee the scene on horseback. He returned to England and fought just three more fights. Ward never did acknowledge Burke as champion and refused to release the championship belt until in 1839 he finally handed it over to William "Bendigo" Thompson upon the latter’s defeat of Burke.^[24] Burke in 1840 made one last attempt for the English championship when he fought Jem Ward's brother Nick. The fight ended in disarray when Ward's gang forced the referee to disqualify Burke for an alleged foul. Burke's career was finished,^[25] he was reduced to poverty and died five years later of tuberculosis in 1845.

The death of Simon Byrne proved to be an important milestone in the history of English boxing. It was a contributing factor to the implementation and subsequent revision of the London Prize Ring Rules, which prohibited seconds from carrying and encouraging a barely conscious man out of his corner back to fight. The revised rules also prohibited spiked boots worn to provide stability in mud, but often to further injury. The new rules disqualified boxers who fell without being hit, a ploy frequently employed to obtain a brief respite under Broughton's Rules.^[1]

Simon Byrne is not well known or documented today. Other than crudely drawn posters, no known likeness of him exists, and he has not been elected to the International Boxing Hall of Fame.

[edit] References

[edit] See also

• List of bare-knuckle boxers