Tom Sayers

1 portrait

Tom Sayers

by Morris Singer & Co Ltd, after Angelo Francesco Bezzi
bronze figure, 1960 (before 1867)
11 1/8 in. (283 mm) high
Purchased, 1960
Primary Collection
NPG 2465a

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Sitterback to top

Tom Sayers (1826-1865), Boxer. Sitter in 2 portraits.

Artistsback to top

Angelo Francesco Bezzi (circa 1811-1867), Sculptor. Artist associated with 2 portraits.
Morris Singer & Co Ltd. Artist associated with 1 portrait.

This portraitback to top

In the decade from 1849 to 1859 Tom Sayers, the great British bareknuckle fighter, was defeated only once. In 1860, 12,000 people travelled to Farnborough in Hampshire to see his last fight which was against the American John C. Heenen. In the 37th round, when Sayers' arm was broken and Heenan was bleeding profusely from his head, the crowd broke into the ring and the contest was abandoned. A draw was declared and neither man fought again. With Sayers's retirement interest in the prize-ring moved across the Atlantic, and America began its stranglehold on world boxing. This bronze of him was cast in 1960 from the original plaster pattern by Bezzi.