Later this month is Holocaust Memorial Day. Last year, I posted a general history of the Jewish community in Britain, but today I’m going to focus on a famous Georgian Jew, Daniel Mendoza.
The Jewish community in Great Britain is often associated with particular trades at particular times in history: in the Middle Ages, it was moneylending; in the nineteenth century, finance and politics; and in the twentieth century, many were tailors and bakers. In the eighteenth century, the Jewish community was closely linked with pugilism or boxing, and they had an enormous influence on the sport, thanks to Daniel Mendoza.
Many Georgian romances feature heroes who sometimes indulge in “manly pursuits” and exercise by attending a boxing salon. The usual name that pops up is that of “Gentleman” John Jackson, but Daniel Mendoza also ran a boxing salon in East London that taught the sport.
Who was Daniel Mendoza?
Daniel Mendoza was born in London in 1764 and was descended from Sephardi Jews who escaped persecution in Spain and Portugal to settle in London a century before. He was proud of his heritage and billed himself as “Mendoza the Jew”.
Boxing and gambling on matches were extremely popular amongst all levels of Georgian society. Mendoza was a bare-knuckle pugilist and the first Jewish English Heavyweight Champion. Technically, at five-foot-eleven inches (1.7m) and 160 pounds (72.5 kg), he was a middleweight, but he beat far bigger opponents because of his innovative style.
Mendoza’s unique technique and ability allowed him to “punch above his weight” and earned him great fame and notoriety, including the patronage of King George III. He won the heavyweight title in 1791 and toured Britain with the Aston Circus, demonstrating his skills. In 1795, Mendoza lost the title to “Gentleman” John Jackson, but his contribution to the sport lives on.
The Father of Modern Boxing
Before Mendoza, bare-knuckle pugilism involved two men slugging it out. The participants punched to obliterate their opponents and the strongest or largest contender was usually the victor.
Being of smaller stature, Mendoza developed a unique style that introduced defence to the sport. Guarding, side-stepping tactics and combination moves, such as avoiding punches before striking blows, were all new and enabled Mendoza to capitalise on his speed and punching power.
Daniel Mendoza is believed to be the pioneer of modern boxing and at the time was credited with making boxing a more “civilised” sport.
Daniel Mendoza. Engraved by Henry Kingsbury, 1789. Painted by J. Robineau in British Museum
Mendoza’s Lasting Influence
During and after his career, Mendoza ran a gym in Bethnal Green, East London, where he taught and trained others. In 1789, he published two books on the sport titled The Art of Boxing and The Modern Art of Boxing. He became a role model for the Jewish community, and his success and popularity helped to reduce anti-Semitism.
Despite his fame and success, Mendoza struggled financially and died penniless in 1836. There are, however, still many boxing gyms in Bethnal Green. The area is considered a centre of excellence for the sport, and over the years, the gyms have produced world champions and Olympic medallists.
Thank you for this. I have a retired Jewish boxer in my WIP who studied with Mendoza. I’d be interested to know more about his financial troubles. Do you have any sources for that information.
There are more details about Mendoza’s later life in this source. https://www.eastlondonhistory.co.uk/daniel-mendoza-bethnal-green/