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James Figg (1695-1734) was a British bare-knuckle boxer. In 1719, he became the first English bare-knuckle champion, and held the title for 11 years. Figg was also a great fencer. After his rise to fame, he started his own school and taught boxing, fencing, and quarterstaff. His portrait was painted by Hogarth. Figg was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1992.
Figg is regarded as being the modern father of the "manly art of self-defense."{1} From his time until 1860, when Sayers fought Heegan (no decision), the list of champions is unbroken. (Tom Sayers retired after the fight, leaving the title vacant).
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