TOM CRIBB
“The Black Diamond” · Inductee No. 004
Hall Of The Sweet Scientist · S³
Biography
Born July 8, 1781, in Hanham near Bristol, Tom Cribb became one of England’s leading bare-knuckle champions. A former coal porter and sailor, he earned the nickname “The Black Diamond.” His strength, endurance and patient defensive approach helped establish his reputation.
Fight record and championship
| Detail | Career information |
|---|---|
| Expanded historical listing | 15 wins, 1 loss, 2 no-contest entries |
| Career through formal retirement | 1805–1822 |
| Championship | Champion of England |
| Championship period | 1808–1822, approximately 13½ years |
| Recorded defeat | George Nicholls, July 20, 1805 |
The record comes from counting Cyber Boxing Zone’s historical bout list, which includes private and uncertain contests. Cribb was not undefeated. Some sources date his full championship recognition from the 1809 Belcher rematch.
Major wins
| Opponent | Date | Result |
|---|---|---|
| George Maddox | January 7, 1805 | Win, 76 rounds |
| Bill Richmond | October 8, 1805 | Win, approximately 90 minutes |
| Jem Belcher | April 8, 1807 | Win, 41 rounds |
| George Horton | May 10, 1808 | Win, 25 rounds |
| Bob Gregson | October 25, 1808 | Win, 23 rounds |
| Jem Belcher | February 1, 1809 | Win, 31 rounds |
| Tom Molineaux | December 18, 1810 | Declared winner; round totals vary |
| Tom Molineaux | September 28, 1811 | Win, 11th round |
The May 1808 opponent was Horton, rather than a second fight with Gregson.
Signature fights: Tom Molineaux
The 1810 encounter pushed Cribb close to defeat. Crowd interference and later accounts of a recovery delay arranged by his corner made the result controversial. Those details remain disputed and belong alongside the recorded victory.
For the 1811 rematch, Cribb trained intensively under Captain Barclay. He won decisively in the 11th round after Molineaux suffered a broken jaw.
Life after boxing
Cribb became a coal merchant and publican, operating the Union Arms. He served among the prizefighters dressed as pages at George IV’s coronation in 1821. He died May 11, 1848, aged 66; his stone lion memorial stands in St Mary Magdalene’s churchyard, Woolwich.
Why S³ honors him
Cribb’s championship achievements, endurance and defensive craft helped define early prizefighting. His Hall profile recognizes those accomplishments while preserving the controversy surrounding his most famous rivalry.