Bill Richmond -- USA

Bill Richmond (1763–December 28, 1829) was an African American boxer, born a slave in Cuckold's Town (now Richmond Town), Staten Island, New York. His nickname was 'The Black Terror'.

During the 1777 revolutionary war when the English troops held New York, he served their General Percy, the Duke of Northumberland. When Percy returned to England he took young Bill with him and sent him to school in Yorkshire. He also served as an apprentice to a cabinet maker in York.

Once when escorting a young lady through the streets of London a ruffian made comments about his colour and Bill pulverised him with punches that were thrown at an amazing speed. This newly discovered talent was stimulated by the feeling of injustice and the use of his fists became more frequent.

His talent for bare-knuckle fighting was perfected on those very streets where the many soldiers in his local vicinity would fall foul of Bill by making racial comments, Bill was quick thinking and fast to react to prejudice.  Bill gave up his apprenticeship which had continued in London to become a bare-knuckle fighter, he received no boxing tutoring and was entirely self-taught.  By today's standards, Richmond, who weighed between 140 and 147 pounds (64 and 67 kg), would have been a welterweight, yet he often fought men who weighed 4 to 5 stone (25 to 32 kg) heavier than himself. He had excellent footwork and quick hands, which enabled him to avoid the big punches and outwork bigger fighters (the bob and weave technique). 

After some successful fights with well-known bare-knuckle fighters Bill was matched with the formidable man from Bristol called Tom Cribb for the championship of England.  Cribb was considered unbeatable, as tough as teak a man of very few words whose training consisted of beating the bark off trees with his hardened bare fists.  He was much the taller and stones heavier than Bill, his fighting talent was known all over the country.  There were no weight divisions so Bill, a welter-weight by modern standards was facing a very strong heavyweight.

The match was set with Cribb in October 1805, the fight lasted 90 minutes and for most of the fight Cribb was unable to land a decent punch as Richmond’s footwork, sound defence and fast hands kept the bigger man confused and off balance.  However, Cribb's superior weight and power eventually caught up with Richmond. At the age of 42, he had demonstrated a new type of boxing before enduring punishment and defeat from his 24 year old opponent.

Bill Richmond became a national hero after his performance and his skills were well sought after, as he had come so close to beating a tough young fighter like Bill Cribb.  Bill could see that boxing was a way to greater things and With the prize money he had made from his fights built his first boxing academy on the ground where Nelson's column now stands.  His students included Members of Parliament and the nobility.  Boxing had suddenly become acceptable, and a much sort after sport, its popularity spread the world over.

Richmond was also a friend and coach of Tom Molineaux, another freed slave who took up boxing in England and fought Cribb twice for the title of world champion.  Bill married and bought a pub, the Horse and Dolphin in Leicester Square, London.   He was also an excellent cricketer, conversationalist, and was eventually decorated by King George IV for his great service and contribution, he died at his home in London in 1829.  He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2005.