Bill Richmond was a formerly enslaved African who gained international recognition in England as a boxer. Freed during the American Revolution, he became known for his tactical fighting style, defeating top opponents and training fighters like Tom Molineaux. Despite facing racism, he earned widespread respect and helped pave the way for Black athletes in combat sports.
Bill Richmond was born on August 5, 1763, in Richmondtown, Staten Island, New York. He was enslaved from birth by the Rev. Richard Charlton, a local pastor. During the American War of Independence, Richmond’s life took a dramatic turn when Lord Percy, a British military commander, saw the young teenager involved in a tavern brawl with British soldiers. Rather than punish him, Percy was impressed by Richmond’s fighting ability and began arranging bouts between him and other soldiers for the entertainment of his guests.
Recognizing Richmond’s potential beyond mere entertainment, Percy eventually arranged for his freedom in 1777. He also ensured that Richmond received an education and sent him to northern England, where he became an apprentice to a cabinetmaker in Yorkshire.
While in Yorkshire, Richmond met and married a local Englishwoman, likely Mary Dunwick. The couple wed in Wakefield on June 29, 1791, and had several children. However, their interracial marriage drew hostility from some locals. Richmond, who was literate, well-dressed, and carried himself with confidence, became a target of racist insults and physical confrontations.
According to boxing writer Pierce Egan, one particularly ugly incident occurred when a man called Richmond a “black devil” for being with a white woman. Rather than ignore the insult, Richmond responded with his fists, winning the resulting fight. This was just one of several brawls Richmond engaged in during his time in Yorkshire, many of which he won decisively.
Despite his early street fights, Richmond did not enter the professional boxing scene until he was in his forties. In 1804, he attended a match featuring George Maddox and, after Maddox won, spontaneously challenged him to a fight. When they faced off, Richmond lost after nine rounds. However, he remained determined to improve his technique.
By 1805, Richmond had developed a strong counter-punching style and defeated notable opponents like Youssop and Jack Holmes. This led to a highly anticipated match against Tom Cribb, England’s top fighter. However, their fighting styles resulted in a slow, uneventful match, and Cribb ultimately won, leaving Richmond bitter. The loss fueled a long-standing grudge between the two.
After stepping away from the ring for a few years, Richmond made a strong comeback in 1808. He won several fights in quick succession, setting up a rematch with Maddox in 1809. This time, Richmond showcased his mastery of “boxing on the retreat”—a strategy that involved dodging, countering, and controlling the pace of the fight. He battered Maddox relentlessly, securing a decisive victory.
His skill and tactical approach impressed many, including politician William Windham, who compared Richmond’s bravery to that of British troops at the Battle of Talavera.
With his reputation solidified, Richmond used his winnings to buy a pub near Leicester Square, which became a hub for boxing. It was at this pub that he met Tom Molineaux, another formerly enslaved Black American with immense potential. Richmond took Molineaux under his wing, training him for a historic showdown against Tom Cribb.
Molineaux fought Cribb in 1810 in one of the most controversial bouts in boxing history. Many believed Molineaux was cheated out of victory, as Cribb was given extra time to recover after being knocked down. The fight sparked debates about racial bias in boxing. A rematch in 1811 ended with Cribb securing an easy victory, and shortly after, Molineaux fired Richmond as his trainer.
Richmond suffered financial losses after Molineaux’s defeats and was forced to sell his pub. However, he continued to fight. In 1814, at the age of 50, he defeated Jack Davis. This victory gave him the confidence to challenge Tom Shelton, a much younger opponent. Despite suffering an eye injury early on, Richmond persevered and won after 23 grueling rounds.
At this point, Richmond was widely respected as a top pugilist. Though he never fought for the championship, he was one of England’s leading boxers and trainers. His skills were so renowned that he was invited to perform exhibitions for visiting European royalty. He was also chosen to serve as an usher at the coronation of King George IV in 1821.
In his later years, Richmond opened a boxing academy, where he trained several amateurs, including literary figures like Lord Byron and William Hazlitt. Surprisingly, he also reconciled with his former rival, Tom Cribb, and the two became close friends. They often spent time together at Cribb’s pub, the Union Arms in Westminster.
It was at Cribb’s pub that Richmond spent his final evening before passing away on December 28, 1829, at the age of 66. He was buried in the burial ground of St James’s Church, Piccadilly.
Today, Richmond is remembered as one of the early pioneers of boxing. His achievements not only cemented his legacy in boxing history but also paved the way for future generations of Black athletes in combat sports.
