Briggs SeekinsinPioneers of BoxingThe Battle of Hastings: Tom McCoy’s Tragic DeathBy the early 1840s, boxing had become a critically important part of the working man, saloon culture of New York City. For social crusaders…Mar 12, 2017Mar 12, 2017
Briggs SeekinsinPioneers of BoxingFrom Slave to Immortal to Palooka: The Triumph and Tragedy of Tom MolineauxIn early 19th England, the boxing sub-culture was an arena of radical equality and meritocracy in a world that was otherwise socially…Aug 28, 2016Aug 28, 2016
Briggs SeekinsinPioneers of BoxingNational Police Gazette Inducted Into Bare-Knuckle Hall of FameOn July 9, The National Police Gazette was inducted into the Bare-Knuckle Hall of Fame in Belfast, New York. The Bare-Knuckle Hall is…Jul 24, 2016Jul 24, 2016
Briggs SeekinsinPioneers of BoxingFashion’s Plaything: The Tragedy of Bill HooperNobody is more popular than a great prizefighter. Crowds of hanger-ons flock to and surround him. Men want to be him, women want to be with…May 18, 20161May 18, 20161
Briggs SeekinsinPioneers of BoxingThe Great Mendoza-Humphries Trilogy“It was the best of times, it was the worth of times,” Charles Dickens wrote at the start of his novel of the French Revolution, The Tale…May 1, 2016May 1, 2016
Briggs SeekinsinPioneers of BoxingModern Bare-Knuckle BoxingAs a general fan of the combat sports, I will occasionally run into information about the modern, bare-knuckle boxing scene. As a writer…Apr 19, 2016Apr 19, 2016
Briggs SeekinsinPioneers of BoxingThe Bareknuckle Rise of the IrishThis year, I happened to be in Manhattan on St. Patrick’s Day. The entire city that never sleeps was Irish, at least for the space of 24…Mar 25, 2016Mar 25, 2016
Briggs SeekinsinPioneers of BoxingThe Transition from Bare Knuckles to GlovesIt’s a common assumption that the transition from bare-knuckle prizefighting to gloved combat was the result of a more civilized society…Dec 26, 2015Dec 26, 2015
Briggs SeekinsThe Transition from Bare Knuckles to GlovesIt’s a common assumption that the transition from bare-knuckle prizefighting to gloved combat was the result of a more civilized society…Dec 26, 2015Dec 26, 2015
Briggs SeekinsinPioneers of BoxingFrom Year King to Busted Out in Palookaville: The Triumphant and Tragic Tale of Jem BelcherBy the start of the 19th Century, boxing was enjoying a renaissance. After the popularity and prestige boxing had enjoyed while…Oct 13, 2015Oct 13, 2015