SAYERS, THOMAS ORIGINAL ANTIQUE MOUNTED PHOTO

Thomas Sayers, also known as Tom Sayers (25 May 1826 - 8 November 1865), was an English pugilist. During his career as a bare-knuckle fighter, at the time illegal, he was only once defeated. At 5 feet 8 inches in height with a fighting weight of under 11 stone, he was the first boxer to be declared the World Heavyweight Champion. His fighting career lasted from 1849 until 1860, when a match billed as the contest for the "World Championship" ended in disarray. An unprecedented public collection funded his comfortable retirement, but he died only five years later at age 39. Presented here is an original, first generation, mounted albumen photograph of Thomas Sayers in full fight pose.
This is an original, first generation mounted photograph which shows a profile view of Sayers in fight pose. Mounted on heavy stock. Not creased or torn. Stain on mount at lower left and lower right. Image still bold. Edge and corner wear to mount. Exceptionally rare. 5 1/2" x 7 1/4."