Tom Cribb
(1781-1848), Champion boxerRegency Portraits Catalogue Entry
Sitter in 4 portraits
The Londoner Tom Cribb rose from being a dockhand to Britain's most successful boxer. He became British champion in 1809 and his reputation was sealed the following year after his celebrated victory over the black American prizefighter Tom Molineaux. Aristocratic patrons known as 'The Fancy' promoted and financed contests, many of which were based in taverns around the Charing Cross Road. George IV famously invited eighteen of the leading boxers of the day, including Cribb, to be ushers and pages at his coronation ceremony in 1821. Cribb retired from the ring undefeated in 1828 and became landlord of a public house in Panton Street, London.
by Unknown artist
watercolour and brown ink, 1812
NPG 5411
by John Young, after Thomas Douglas Guest
mezzotint, published 1811
NPG D34310
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