Gerry Brooke tells the story of Tom Cribb, Bristol's top Regency pugalist

It’s generally acknowledged that the champion pugalist Tom Cribb was born in Hanham in 1781.

A big lad at thirteen, he was soon off to London looking for work.

At nearly six foot and weighing 14 stone Cribb became a bargeman and later a coal porter throwing the huge sacks around with ease.

He also joined the navy during the Napoleanic wars.

Nicknamed “The Black Diamond” Cribb first stepped into the ring in January 1805.

In 1807, Captain Robert Barclay, a famous athlete and trainer, liked what he saw and decided to turn Cribb into one of the most celebrated pugilists of the day.

 That same year he was matched against another great Bristol fighter - Jem Belcher, the so called “Napoleon of the Ring.”

The “Black Diamond” beat him in 42 rounds, crushing his knuckles into pulp.

“The Fancy” went wild.

John Gully - born at the Rose and Crown in Wick– was still the undefeated champion of all England but when he retired in 1808, Cribb took on his mantle.

Finally defeating top Afro/American fighter Tom Molyneux in two of the hardest fights of his career Cribb emerged a superstar.

Returning to London in a coach and horses decorated with blue ribbons he received a hero’s welcome and, at a banquet in his honour, was presented with a valuable silver cup.

 Engraved on it was the Bristol crest and a coat of arms showing the British lion looking down on an American flag at half-mast.

In 1812, at the age of 31, Cribb announced his retirement from the ring and became, like many other ex-pugalists, a publican.

 His only defeat in a five year career - after 52 punishing rounds - had been against fellow Bristol fighter, George Nichols.

But Cribb couldn’t fight off the grim reaper and in 1848, at the age of 67, he died and was buried at Woolwich.

Six years later a Portland stone lion, with its paw resting on the champion’s belt, was erected in the churchyard.

 Many people assume that the top pugalist had some connection with Cribbs Causeway.

I’m afraid not - the name Cribb appears on a map a good four years before the boxer was even born