Page 6 - L&T Tom Paddock

Information about Thomas/Tom Paddock, Bareknuckle fighter

Thomas Paddock was born on October 25 1824, in Redditch and died 30 June 1863, of
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heart disease, at his home at 41 Upper Rathbone Place, Marylebone district of London. His
parents were George Paddock and Elizabeth nee Davis who lived in Redditch. He married
Esther Ann Armons, 7 September 1854 in Brompton Holy Trinity. He was brought up on a
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Farm in the Redditch district. Tom also known as the Redditch Needle Pointer was a
champion bare knuckle boxer in the early Victorian era.

He started boxing in 1844 and stood at 5ft.10½ins and weighed about 12 stone. Between
1844 and 1850 was largely undefeated in the boxing ring and gained a reputation for his
courage but also for his foul tactics and uncontrollable temper. It was William Thompson of
Nottingham who spoilt his clean record in 1850 In Mildenhall, Suffolk. In 1851 a fight
against Harry Poulson in Belper, Derbyshire ended in a riot and both were sentenced to 10
months imprisonment with hard labour.

Three years later Paddock challenged both Harry Broome and Bill Perry to the heavyweight
championship of England but both declined so Paddock declared himself champion by
default, which was never recognised until a 51 round championship fight against Harry
Broome in Bentley, Suffolk which Paddock won. However this was short lived as he lost the
title later the same year to Bill Perry. He did try to regain the title twice but failed both
times.

1841 census records
Thomas Paddock, aged 15, Needle Maker, lived with his parents George aged 50. Gardener
and Elizabeth Paddock aged 55 and 2 older siblings in Ipsley Street, Redditch.

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