The Fight of the Century

In this episode of "The Rest Is History," Dominic Sandbrook and Tom are joined by Professor Robert Coles to discuss the historic 1860 bare-knuckle fight between Tom Sayers and John Heenan. The discussion covers the backgrounds of both fighters, the rules of London prize fighting, the social context of the event, including the aristocratic patronage and widespread betting, and the cultural significance of the fight as a symbol of Britishness and American rivalry. They explore the training regimens, the chaotic scene at the fight, and the aftermath, including the fighters' celebrity status and premature deaths, and also touch on how the Marquess of Queensbury rules eventually supplanted London Rules, civilizing the sport.