Yokel the Jew

His given name unknown, Yokel the Jew was a baren-knuckled English fighter in the early years of the 19th Century, during the era of "Broughton's Rules." Established in 1743 by Jack Broughton, considered the father of English boxing, the Rules stated that wrestling moves about the waist were allowed, but a fighter could not hit an opponent once he was down. In fact, knockdowns marked the division of rounds as the downed fighter had 30 seconds to return to the center of the ring or he would lose. If the fighter, with the help of his handlers, made it to the center, the fights resumed in what was considered a new round. In this way, fights were recorded according to the number of rounds and amount of time. "Broughton's Rules" were replaced in 1838 by the Pugilistic Society's "London Prize Ring Rules."

Birth and Death Dates:
unknown

Career Highlights:
Boxing historian Pierce Egan described a bout between Yokel and early great Tom Jones in the 1800s. In Boxiana or Sketches Of Ancient and Modern Pugilism, Egan wrote, "...one of the most desperate conflicts in which Tom had been engaged. Yokel was a most desperate puncher and Jones suffered severely in the fight...but, notwithstanding, Yokel gave in." According to the web site, www.bkbworld.com (bare-knuckled boxing), Lyons and Jones fought for 10 guineas a side and Yokel "gave Jones a tremendous thrashing and it was one of the worst fights in Tom Jones' career."

Origin:
England