Tom Paddock | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Thomas Paddock 1822 Redditch, Worcestershire |
| Died | 30 June 1863 Marylebone, London |
| Nationality | English |
| Other names | Redditch Needlepointer |
| Statistics | |
| Weight(s) | Heavyweight |
| Height | 5 ft 10.5 in (1.79 m) |
| Boxing record | |
| Total fights | 16 |
| Wins | 11 |
| Losses | 5 |
Tom Paddock, born Thomas Paddock (c. 1822, Redditch – 30 June 1863) also known as the Redditch Needlepointer was a champion English bare-knuckle boxer in the early Victorian era.[1]
Tom was baptised on 25 August 1822 in Redditch, Worcestershire, England, the son of George Paddock and Elizabeth (née Morris).[2] Brought up on a farm, he was noted to have developed a size and endurance that served him well in his career as a boxer.[1]
His professional career in boxing started in 1844; at the time he was just under six feet tall and weighed twelve stone. Between then and 1850 he was largely undefeated in the boxing ring, and gained a reputation not only for his courage but for his foul tactics and uncontrollable temper.[1] It was William Thompson of Nottingham who spoilt his clean record in 1850 in Mildenhall, Suffolk.[3]
In 1851 a fight against Harry Poulson in Belper ended in a riot when both men were jailed. Both served ten months hard labour.[3]
Three years later Paddock challenged both Harry Broome and Bill Perry to a Heavyweight Championship of England bout but both turned it down. Paddock then claimed himself as the Heavyweight Champion of England by default,[3] though this was not generally recognised until 1856 following fifty-one rounds in the ring against Harry Broome in Manningtree.[4] However, his victory was short-lived; he lost the title later the same year to Bill Perry.[1] He twice attempted to regain the title, but was unsuccessful.[3]
Paddock's last fight took place in 1860 against Sam Hurst, for the championship of England.[3] He died of heart disease on 30 June 1863 in Marylebone.[1][5]
A book on Paddock’s life is currently being penned by Tom Podmore, a Nottingham-based writer originally from Redditch.