1856 in sports

1856 in sports describes the year's events in world sport.

Baseball

Events

The four established New York (Manhattan) clubs play nine matches between August 30 and October 28. Several other clubs in present New York City play matches against a rival or two. Daily and weekly newspapers cover the game and some matches.
17 October — the Eagle club scores 8 against 2 by Gotham, an extreme example of the main problem with the 21–run rule (revised to nine innings next spring).

Events

26 January — Harry Poulson meets the upcoming Tom Sayers at Appledore, Kent. Sayers enhances his growing reputation by winning in the 109th round.^[1]
19 May — Harry Broome finally defends the Championship of England against Tom Paddock at Manningtree. Paddock wins in the 51st round and takes the title. Broome announces his retirement.^[2]
2 October — a scheduled bout between Paddock and former champion William Perry is cancelled because Paddock is ill. Paddock pays forfeit and Perry claims the English title but is not recognised.^[2]
With the American champion John Morrissey refusing to fight again until 1858,^[3] the focus shifts to his eventual next opponent, the upcoming John C. Heenan, known as "The Benicia Boy".^[4]

Events

England

England

Events

The Montreal Lacrosse Club is formed in Montreal by W. George Beers, the first organised lacrosse team. They also develop the first codified rules of lacrosse, which Beers will rewrite in 1867.

The Boat Race

15 March — Cambridge wins the 13th Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race, last contested in 1854
Beginning in 1856, the Boat Race becomes an annual event except during the two World Wars

^ Cyber Boxing Zone – Tom Sayers. Retrieved on 8 November 2009.
^ ^a ^b Cyber Boxing Zone – Tom Paddock. Retrieved on 8 November 2009.
^ Cyber Boxing Zone – John Morrissey. Retrieved on 8 November 2009.
^ Cyber Boxing Zone – John C. Heenan. Retrieved on 8 November 2009.
^ An unofficial seasonal title proclaimed by consensus of media and historians prior to December 1889 when the official County Championship was constituted.