The grave of bare knuckle boxer Thomas Sayers

I have said it many times, Kensal Green is my favorite of all the great London cemeteries however Highgate does come a close second. If you pay a visit you have the choice of two sides, east and west. Lots of the great and the good are buried there, but one particular grave has always been of interest - Thomas Sayers.

Thomas Sayers (1826 -1865) was the last of Britain's bare knuckle boxing champions just before the famous Queensbury Rules came into being. Sayers was 5 ft 8 ins and in his day there were no weight divisions, with fighters going toe to toe anyone. Sayers would have almost certainly gone up against opponents much heavier and taller than he was. Also in his time, fights could last well over two hours!

Born in Brighton he became a national hero and was incredibly famous. After his last fight he retired and gifted £3000 by public subscription (a huge amount for the time) to ensure a comfortable post-boxing life. At the age of only 39 be died after suffering a short illness at 257 Camden High Street. 

His funeral, a week after he passed away, drew a crowd of well over 100,000. It was said that the crowd who accompanied his coffin extended over two miles. Sayers pet dog a large black mastiff called Lion, was chief mourner at his funeral and it is perhaps fitting that he guards his tomb. 

It is very likely that many people who look at his grave, take a photo or perhaps you out there reading this might not have ever heard of Thomas Sayers. There is of course no reason why you should. I do find it amazing that someone so famous in their own time would be unheard of in another. 

Until next time, stay safe out there people.