31 December, 1797

. GLASGOW PICAYUNE Sporting Edition | Volume IV, Issue III | 31 December, 1797 TITLE DECLARATIONS

Glasgow, Scotland:  A new year, a new set of champions and a new set of title declarations lay ahead. The REC has announced that new Middleweight Champion Tinman Hooper will be required to face Bob Watson or meet Paddington Tom Jones in a re-match of their 1797 title fight.  The heavyweight declaration was curious; Big Ben Bryan will be required to fight Gentleman John Jackson again or take on both Ruffian Symonds and three hundred pound behemoth Isaac Perrins.  Given the difficulty Jackson has provided, Big Ben may opt for the multiple defense route. 1797 Heavyweight Top Ten

Out: Chevalier de Saint Georges retired as the French Champion at the ripe old age of 51.

Out: Jack Doyle took the Irish crown in 1796 and earned the tenth slot in those rankings.  In 1797, he failed to win a bout and lost his belt to a man with two fights on his resume and losses at that!

In: Three solid wins have propelled Ruffian Symonds into the 1797 rankings and placed him in line for a potential title tilt.

In: Jack Firby's claim to greatness is the fact that he does not posses a losing record.  That alone makes him worthy of the number ten slot given the cast of characters that have had the honor bestowed upon them in years past.