Thomas Futrell

A pupil of Isaac Perrins, Thomas Futrell was an experienced and unbeaten fighter with 18 victories to his credit when he met the 19-year-old John Jackson at Smitham Bottom, near Croydon, on 9th June 1788. This print was published five days before the fight in which Jackson, fighting for the first time, was considered to have no chance. However, he met Futrell’s rushes and gradually wore him down until Futrell retired exhausted after 67 minutes. Futrell’s claim to fame was his victory in 35 minutes over the highland Giant in Edinburgh on 23rd March 1753, the first recorded prize-fight in Scotland. An inveterate gambler, he lost most of his considerable earnings.