Tom Belcher

Tom Belcher (1783-1854) was an English bare-knuckle boxer, the younger brother of James Belcher.

Life
Tom Belcher's mother was a daughter of Jack Slack (d. 1778), a noted pugilist, who defeated Jack Broughton in April 1750. Tom was almost as good a boxer as his better-known elder brother. He won battles in succession with Dan Dogherty, the 'Young Ruffian' John Firby, and some fighters of less repute, but he was badly defeated by Dutch Sam (Samuel Elias). He was an accomplished boxer and sparrer, and at the Tennis Court, during Tom Cribb's proprietorship, he defeated with the gloves such experts as Shaw the lifeguardsman, John Gully, and the African-American Tom Molineaux. Tom Belcher, who is described as 'gentlemanly and inoffensive,' died at Bristol on 9 Dec. 1854, aged 71, universally respected, having earned a competence as tavern-keeper at the Castle, Holborn, subsequently kept by Tom Spring.