Jacob Hyer
Encyclopedia
Jacob Hyer was an American bare-knuckled boxer
. He is generally credited as the first professional American boxer, due to his 1816 match with Tom Beasley, and has even been called "The Father of The American Ring".
, Hyer (a butcher) fought Tom Beasley (an English mariner) in what is traditionally said to be the first professional American bout, in that it was open to the public and English boxing rules were observed. The fight has been described as a "grudge match," because the two had previously been involved in a street fight, and decided to settle the matter in a more formal venue. Apparently the rules of boxing were at least followed at the outset of the match, but degenerated as the fight progressed. Different reports of the official bout stated that Beasley broke Hyers' arm (and thus Beasley won), that the match ended in a draw (due to the broken arm), or that Hyer won the match. Some modern sources state that Hyer won the match, though the basis for that conclusion is not stated. Hyer never fought again after this one fight.
Historian Elliot J. Gorn, writing in the 1980s, states that although Hyer broke his arm, Beasley had been badly beaten, so after mutual friends intervened it was declared a draw. Gorn also states that the match was not actually the first ring fight in America, or the first open to the public, but that its "significance lay in the perception that it was a historic event worth recording, in its being the earliest American fight kept alive as living memory of a heroic past. When men gathered at New York's Empire Club decades later, they recounted this battle time and again.... Hyer and Beasley were important because they were remembered as founding fathers."
descent. In 1969, Hyer was elected to the Ring Magazine Boxing Hall of Fame
.
Hyer's son, Tom Hyer
, became the first American heavyweight boxing champion. The younger Hyer's famous victory against Yankee Sullivan
in 1849 greatly spurred the popularity of the sport and served to preserve the legacy of his father's pioneering fight.
Bare-knuckle boxing
Bare-knuckle boxing is the original form of boxing, closely related to ancient combat sports...
. He is generally credited as the first professional American boxer, due to his 1816 match with Tom Beasley, and has even been called "The Father of The American Ring".
Hyer v. Beasley
In October 1816 in New York CityNew York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, Hyer (a butcher) fought Tom Beasley (an English mariner) in what is traditionally said to be the first professional American bout, in that it was open to the public and English boxing rules were observed. The fight has been described as a "grudge match," because the two had previously been involved in a street fight, and decided to settle the matter in a more formal venue. Apparently the rules of boxing were at least followed at the outset of the match, but degenerated as the fight progressed. Different reports of the official bout stated that Beasley broke Hyers' arm (and thus Beasley won), that the match ended in a draw (due to the broken arm), or that Hyer won the match. Some modern sources state that Hyer won the match, though the basis for that conclusion is not stated. Hyer never fought again after this one fight.
Historian Elliot J. Gorn, writing in the 1980s, states that although Hyer broke his arm, Beasley had been badly beaten, so after mutual friends intervened it was declared a draw. Gorn also states that the match was not actually the first ring fight in America, or the first open to the public, but that its "significance lay in the perception that it was a historic event worth recording, in its being the earliest American fight kept alive as living memory of a heroic past. When men gathered at New York's Empire Club decades later, they recounted this battle time and again.... Hyer and Beasley were important because they were remembered as founding fathers."
Legacy
Hyer was 6' 2" (1.88m) and approximately 182 pounds. He was born in New York, and was of DutchDutch people
The Dutch people are an ethnic group native to the Netherlands. They share a common culture and speak the Dutch language. Dutch people and their descendants are found in migrant communities worldwide, notably in Suriname, Chile, Brazil, Canada, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, and the United...
descent. In 1969, Hyer was elected to the Ring Magazine Boxing Hall of Fame
Ring Magazine hall of fame
Ring Magazine was established in 1922. In 1954 the magazine established its own Boxing Hall of Fame and inducted 155 members before it was abandoned after the 1987 inductions. Boxing inductions continue through the International Boxing Hall of Fame. 134 members of the old Ring Hall of Fame have...
.
Hyer's son, Tom Hyer
Tom Hyer
Tom Hyer was an American bare-knuckle boxer. He was a champion of boxing in America from September 9, 1841 to 1851....
, became the first American heavyweight boxing champion. The younger Hyer's famous victory against Yankee Sullivan
Yankee Sullivan
Yankee Sullivan also known as Frank Murray and James Sullivan was a bare knuckle fighter and boxer. He was a Champion of Prizefighting from 1851 to October 12, 1853...
in 1849 greatly spurred the popularity of the sport and served to preserve the legacy of his father's pioneering fight.