Wadhurst
played host to the last organised bare-knuckle fight
in Britain in December 1863. At this time prize-fighting
was illegal in England, and likely to be broken
up by the police with ensuing arrests.
Matches
were arranged by word of mouth and often held on
remote farms, the venue being abruptly changed at
short notice. However the illegality of the sport
did not stop matches being well attended.
Tom King won after 24 rounds, but couldn't play
the piano very well for several days.
