Glasgow, Scotland: Two-time World Heavyweight Champion Thomas Owen has been given a tough row to hoe by the REC. His mandatory defense in 1806 will be the rapidly rising Tom Cribb. Cribb boast a 9/1/0 record and has defended his English belt four times since claiming it from Sam Martin in 1804. The victor will be allowed a free defense later in the year.
The Royal Explorers Club calls for a run off in the middleweight division. Jem Belcher (17/2/2), who took the strap from Bill Richmond this past summer, will be asked to face the winner of a Richmond / Isaac Bittoon mill. Richmond's skills are well known while Bittoon is just making a name for himself.
The wee lads will be making some fireworks as champ Dutch Sam will be called upon to defend his title against none other than Caleb Baldwin. Baldwin's record stands at 11/1/0 losing only to the journeyman Pardue Wilson in 1804, a loss that derailed his hopes to fight for the lightweight title when it was first contested.
1805 Heavyweight Rankings
Out: Sixteen-year veteran Joe Ward has retired from the ring. Although he never battled for the World Title, Ward was a fixture in the top rankings and heads to his country home with a fine record of 20/11/2.
Out: After brief stints in the rankings, Sam Martin, Fighting Tar, Housa the Jew and Jack Firby lost more battles than they were able to win in 1805. With the talented crop of youngsters pushing their way to the forefront, none of these could be justified a slot in the top ten by the REC board.
In: English Champion Tom Cribb ran his record to 9/1/0 in 1805 and has shot to the top of the list. Cribb will be challenging Thomas Owen for the REC belt in the year to come.
In: G.L. Barrett becomes the first American ranked at heavyweight. The Gentleman from Boston sports a record of 8/2/1.
In: Dick Hall carries a fine 8/1/1 record including a victory over Irish champ Michael Ryan in 1805.
In: After a suspect start in the prize ring, Tom Cart has gone 3/0/1 over his last four mills to work his way into the rankings with an overall mark of 5/3/2.
In: Two victories over the former English Champ Jack Bartholomew have propelled Mr. Golder into the rankings.
Complete Heavyweight Rankings
Complete Middleweight Rankings
Complete Lightweight Rankings
