Boxing - A.J. Newton

As a child the Prof, my grandfather, was a figure of legend. Unfortunately he slipped his mortal coil several years before I was born, however I was lucky enough to be raised in the same boxing gymnasium that he founded in the Marylebone Road in London.
My father, also Andrew Newton, carried on the family tradition as a boxer and later as a trainer and manager this despite his father's opposition and losing his sight at the age of 30.
Unfortunately, being of the wrong gender I was unable to follow in the family profession. Boxing for women was banned when my auntie Annie Newton was making quite an impression in the ring. The Prof used her as a sparring partner to test out his budding champions.

At the risk of being off topic, I will relate one of the stories my father told me which was about one of the Prof''s other passions, dogs.
He bred a variety of types of dogs, including red setters of which he had a lovely faithful hound of which he was extremely fond. Unfortunately when he hit hard times came which they did quite often - his other passion horse racing was quite unpredictable - it was necessary that he raised some money.
This he did by advertising his faithful old hound for sale as a young dog. Disguising the grey hairs around his muzzle by dying it with potassium permanganate, he rapidly found a willing buyer.
The hound, being as fond of his master as he was of him, soon escaped from his new home and found his way back to the Prof.
By the time the new owner got in touch with the Prof all of the dye had worn off and the pooch had returned to his natural, more mature appearance and looked nothing like the dog that had been sold.
Presumably he went on to sell the old dog every time he got into dire straights financially.

***********************The Book*************************

It exactly the same as the book originally printed in 1910. The only exception being the colour of the cover and the price charged.
The original edition has a yellow cover and as can be seen from the illustration accompanying the review the new cover is a dirty orange colour.
I cannot imagine anyone in 1910 paying £7.99 for a book either!
A hardback book it is of about the same dimensions as a thin paperback.
The illustration on the front cover, as you have seen is a cartoon of a contemporary boxer. No he isn't in his underwear that was the approved apparel for boxers in those days. This is not a cartoon of my grandfather.
The back cover of the book is taken up by a philosophical statement:
"A native of Southern Europe in dispute flies to his Knife or dagger. The Wild Westerner grips his six-shooter. But the Britisher is handy with his fists in an emergency. I shall endeavour to lay before the reader all the necessary strokes, lunges, parries, feints, attacks or retirements which are the necessary equipment of a first rate boxer"
Having watched a very recent heavyweight championship fight on TV I think that both contestants may have benefited

**********************Open the Book***************************
As a reproduction of a book written at the turn of the last century it is naturally completely black and white, no lavish colour illustrations for the Prof!

The inside of the front cover contains an advertisement for the Newton School of Arms and Physical Culture. A lavish exposition of the culture of self aggrandisement giving his CV and such vital information that "Appointments can be assured by wire or first post" Not only a book about boxing but a fascinating glimpse into British History.
I still have the original brass plate that was screwed onto his front door inscribed; "AJ Newton School of Arms"

The first page of the book is taken up by an advertisement for Spalding's Boxing Gloves.
The cost of these ranged from 5shillings 6 pence(27 ½ p) to the huge price of 15 shillings (75p) I wonder if the firm is still in existence and if they would still charge these prices.

The 2 companies that take up the next page with their advertisements are Spencer Heath and George who supplied Physical training and Gymnastic appliances - no prices given but an illustrated catalogue could be obtained post free upon application, and an advertisement for a I minute daily exercise that will keep you fit. This poster was obtainable from C Arthur Pearson at the cost of 6p nett or post free at 9p.

Wasting no more space the book gets on to the real business
BOXING
An admirable cartoon sketch of two protagonists illustrating Attitude: after shaking hands (See page 21)

There are 16 chapters in the book following a page introduction where the Prof describing himself as 'An expert boxer, an established master of the art who has taught many champions professional and amateur, on lines which have lead to their success' sets out what he intends to achieve with this book.

The Contents page gives a fascinating insight into the scope of this masterpiece.

Chapter 1 - The value of boxing Page 14
Self defence a natural instinct- A healthy Sport - A moral discipline -School Boxing - Adult boxing

Chapter 2 - Positions in Boxing Page 17
Variety useful - Points of importance -Expert's opinions -The correct attitude -Incorrect attitudes - Correct hand action - Incorrect hand action -Correct leg action - Body movements.

Chapter 3 -Leading Page 26
Definition of leading - The left hand lead at the head - Faults to be avoided - How to
guard the left lead - Left hand lead to the body - Defence and counter - Guards to left hand body blow -Right hand lead at head - Defence and counter to right at head -Right hand lead at the body - defence of right hand lead at body -Double leads

Chapter 4 -The Guard Page 39
Definition of the guard -Its proper value -Circumstances alter cases -Guarding may be action -The usual guard - A caution -The double guard - Parrying.

Chapter 5 - Ducking and sidestepping or slipping Page 43
Value of ducking - Do not over do it -Playing to the gallery - The right sort of ducking - The sidestep or slip.

Chapter 6 - The counter, time hit, or stop Page 48
Uses of the counter - Personal error is a factor -Particular points - General maxims -Left hand counter - Left body counter -Right head counter - Right body counter - Left cross counter - right cross counter.

Chapter 7 - The Knock out blow Page 58
These are not dangerous - The chin knock out - An expert's description -The solar plexus blow - It's demoralising effect

Chapter 8 - The Clinch Page 67
What a clinch is - Scarcely a fair resource - Amateurs and clinching - American prize fighters use of it -Barred in Boxing

Chapter 9 -Fouls Page 69
A breach of any rule is a foul -Accidental fouls - Intentional fouls -Some common cases.

Chapter 10 -Miscellaneous Hints Page 71
Sparring and Hitting -Advancing -Retiring - Courage -Keeping cool - A boxer's clothing

Chapter 11 - The judge and referee Page 74
Duties of the judge - His difficulties - An even balance - The referee - Distinct from the timekeeper.

Chapter 12 - Boxing Gloves Page 77
Material and price - Approved weight - The best shape

Chapter 13 - The Boxer's wind Page 80
Wind of utmost importance -Lung training -Breathing exercises -Quality and quantity - Other breathing exercises -The punching ball - The "Grasshopper" -The Army type -The platform -A home made punching ball - Some hints - the medicine bag -Up stairs and down -Sprinting - Skipping -Jumping -Study variety of exercise

Chapter 14 - Training for boxing Page 88
The best hours - The food question- Breakfast - dinner - tea - Between meals - What to drink -Drink for abstainers -Moderate sleep - Smoking -Walking - running and other exercises -Increase or reduction of weight -Flannel wear - Massage.

Chapter 15 - Rules of boxing Page 95
Definition of Amateur - Rules of the Amateur Boxing Association - Sporting Life revised Queensbury Rules -Contests for endurance.

Chapter 16 - Boxing Records Page 100
The history of boxing - Classical Boxing bouts -The English prize ring - Champions form 1719 to the present day -Amateur Champions from 1888 - Longest fights - shortest fights.

If all of this is not enough for you, all of this riveting information is followed by a chapter entitled Single Stick which takes up from Page 108 to Page 124 of the book.

As would be expected the publishers use the final page to advertise other titles in their catalogue. Who could fail to be tempted by such gems as Camping Out or How and What to Dance All at bargain prices of 1 shilling or 1 shilling 2 pence post free.

The final page of the book is taken up with a full page advertisement for Fry's Pure concentrated Cocoa with its qualities endorsed by no lesser mortals than Dr Andrew Wilson F.R.S.E Etc and Sir Chas Cameron CB MD Ex president of the Royal College of Surgeons Ireland

************************The illustrations*********************
No lavish photographs included but several wonderful line drawings including one on Page 83 of 'The Grasshopper'. I will not spoil intending readers pleasure by describing what this device is.

Did I enjoy the book and would I recommend it? I was fascinated by the social history and gems of advice contained in this book …Take exercise in Flannels. Sweating will result, and after work a rub down with a hard bath towel is of the utmost value.
For boxing buffs it will provide an interesting read with invaluable tips and advice on how to box, for sporting historians it will provide a glimpse into the boxing wold 100 years ago and for those of you with a bit of a warped sense of humour it is one of the funniest books you could read in a long time.

****************The boring details**************************

The book was first published in 1910 by C Arthur Pearson Ltd, under the title Boxing with a section on Single Stick
It cost the princely sum of 1shilling (5p)
The current edition was published by Bloomsbury Publishing in 2005

There is a nice little line that tells you that all papers used by Bloomsbury Publishing are natural recyclable products made from wood grown in well managed forests. The manufacturing processes conform to the environmental regulations of the country of origin.

There is also a note that it is advisable to check with a doctor before embarking on any exercise programme. A physician should be consulted on all matters relating to health. Neither the author nor the publisher can accept any legal responsibility for any injury sustained while following the exercises.

Probably a much needed disclaimer with such headings as: The knock out blow -these are not dangerous.

The book should cost £7.99 but is available from www.amazon.co.uk at less than this (prices vary)
It is also available from Waterstones.

The publishers can be found at www.bloomsbury.com
Bloomsbury Publishing Plc
36 Soho Square
London W1D 3QY
ISBN 0 7475 7906 7
ISBN - 13 780747579069

Happy reading