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The life & times of “Daniel Mendoza” (1764-1836) – possibly the ‘father’ of Boxing technique

Posted on October 6, 2018 by Geoff Clements Posted in People, Sporting People .

My London Shoes blog for this week had me focusing on a person, as opposed to a place or a location.

Following my research on the person in question, my trek out to the ‘smoke ‘ended up being a bit of a surreal experience, because totally unexpectedly, the subject matter took me on a ‘journey’ that not only revisited the location of a couple of Barclays branches I used to be associated with – but also the conclusion of this persons story, and again, totally unbeknown to me at the outset, led me all the way back to my home town area.

So – this week’s blog is all about the legendary East End bare-knuckle prize fighter ….”Daniel Mendoza” – who was born in 1764 and died in 1836 – A man whose influence on the sport of boxing, is still around today.

As I mentioned above, there were some really strange occurrences about this particular blog – even regarding its selection, as it was not even a topic that was on my lengthy ‘To Do-List’.

So – there I was sitting comfortably at home a couple of weeks ago, whilst the wife was watching her weekly fix of the hospital drama ‘Holby’ on tv – when a particular scene caught my attention. The scene in question had the Jewish surgeon Sacha, kitted out in boxing gloves and giving a punch-bag a good old seeing to. Anyway, at the end of this scene, Sacha delivered a line that was something like “I could be the next Daniel Mendoza”!!!

Now – the mention of that name triggered something in my memory – as some 35yrs or so ago, the wife had bought me a book called “A Pictorial History of Boxing” – and I recalled that one chapter was all about the bare-knuckle prize fighter ‘Daniel Mendoza’. Therefore, that prompted me to dig this book out again and re-read the story of Daniel Mendoza – and having done that, I then felt that I had sufficient material to dedicate a blog to him – but what I didn’t know, was the ‘journey’ that my further research would take me on.

Daniel Mendoza was born into extreme poverty in Whitechapel-London, on 5th July 1764.

He was of Portuguese Jewish decent – and records show that he and his parents and siblings, all worshiped at the ‘Bevis Marks Synagogue’ in Aldgate – which was built in 1701 and is the oldest synagogue in the UK – and still standing to this very day.

As a teenager, Mendoza had a number of shop assistant type jobs, but apparently had a tendency to get into fights to resolve disputes – especially where he felt an injustice had been done to him or his employers.

One such altercation in the street, just happened to be observed by one of the current bare-knuckle prize-fighters, who was so impressed with Mendoza that he took him under his wing, in order to make a proper prize-fighter out of him.

Back in the 1700’s Boxing (or pugilism to give it its correct name) as a ‘sport’, was in its infancy – and had only just started to attract spectator interest.

There was no such thing as weight divisions, or ‘rules’ come to that – and the ‘pugilists’ were mainly extremely tall and hefty blokes, who would literally clump and beat the hell out of their opponent in an ‘anything goes’ manner, using brute strength and ignorance, without any grace or finesse. – and it was not uncommon for fights to last anything up to 40/50 rounds until one of the boxers was completely done-in.
Daniel Mendoza however, had one major disadvantage with being involved in this sport – he was only 5ft 7inches tall and only weighed just under 12 stone – and so on a face to face, toe to toe perspective, he didn’t stand a hope in hell against opponents.

However, Mendoza was not the sort to be deterred by this, and so he went away and thought about how he could possibly adopt a ‘scientific’ approach to fighting blokes who were twice his size and weight.

He worked out that, to have any chance, he would need to be able to ‘dodge’ punches, and also ‘defend’ punches being thrown at him.

Therefore, he worked out a strategy whereby he would ‘back away’ from an on-coming opponent, whilst keeping up his guard by defending his body with an outstretched left arm. With his opponent chasing him around the ring, and Mendoza defending himself with his left arm, he would wait for the opportunity to draw the opponent in to him, and then unleash an upper-cut punch with his right hand, that would then have the effect of almost knocking the opponents head off – an approach that no other boxer had ever adopted before.

When he initially adopted this strategy, other boxers and the spectators weren’t too impressed – as they felt that all this backing away malarkey, ducking and bobbing & weaving from punches by Mendoza, was a sign of cowardice – however, when he started to win major bouts, he soon became the talk of the boxing world, and the envy of all other boxers.

He was soon a major celebrity – drawing in crowds not just from boxing but also putting on boxing exhibitions and also turning up as ‘guest of honour’ at theatres – earning up to £50 (well, guineas actually) per appearance – which was extremely big money back in those days.
It is written that Daniel Mendoza single handily helped transform the popular English stereotype of a Jew from a weak, defenceless person into someone deserving of respect. Even the then King George III was a big fan and it is said that Mendoza was the first Jew that a King had spoken with face-to-face and shook hands with.

His amazing career record speaks for itself, and reads as:- 37 fights – 34 wins – 30 wins by knock-out – only 3 losses.

Throughout the majority of his years of success, Daniel Mendoza lived at No. 3 Paradise Row (the place, name-checked in the popular song ‘On Mother Kelly’s Doorstep’) in Bethnal Green – and it was here that Mendoza wrote his historically renowned book “The Art of Boxing”, which was all about his ‘scientific’ strategies and techniques towards boxing.

One of his most famous fights was in 1795, where he actually lost to ‘Gentleman’ John Jackson – and I was totally surprised to find out that this fight was held in ‘Hornchurch-Essex’ literally a mile or so down the road to where I live in Romford.

This fight in Hornchurch was held at a place known locally as ‘The Dell’, which was a large gravel pit right next to the historic landmark of St. Andrews church.

Apparently over 3000 spectators turned up for the fight at The Dell, and it is said that it was one of the first ever fights where spectators paid for the privilege of watching the event.

Unfortunately, the fight at The Dell was all over in 10 rounds when his opponent pulled on Mendoza’s long hair, whilst pummeling him in the face. Mendoza wore his hair long because of his Jewish faith – but after that particular bout, all bare-knuckle fighters made sure that their hair was shorn before entering the ring.

Today – The Dell is simply an overgrown pitted area – but I still went in search of it for this blog.

After he packed up boxing Mendoza became land lord of the ‘Admiral Nelson’ pub at 299 Whitechapel Road – funnily enough, almost directly opposite the Whitechapel branch of Barclays where I worked in the late 1980’s.

Unfortunately, although Daniel Mendoza made a lot of money from prize-fighting, he was not good at keeping hold of it – to the extent that he ended up doing numerous ‘stretches’ in the notorious ‘Kings Bench’ and later the ‘Queens Bench’ Debtor Prisons in Southwark, in south London.

Sadly Daniel Mendoza died penniless in 1836, at the age of 72 – and was buried at the ‘Novo Jewish Cemetery’ in Mile End – and this is where the story gets spookily interesting from my perspective.

The Novo Jewish Cemetery at Mile End was opened in 1733 – and was the resting place for thousands of Jews throughout the forthcoming centuries – until there was no more room.

The land was bought up in 1972, and built on to house the current Queen Mary College (QMC) University campus – with the proviso that one-third of the graveyard remained in situ and untouched.

Now – back in the late 1980’s when I worked at Whitechapel branch, we had a sub-branch at the University site, and another at Mile End Station – and it was my job once a week, to visit the Mile End Station and the University sub branches, just to make sure that everything was ticking over ok – and I never once noticed the Novo graveyard at the University branch.

On display on an exterior wall of the University Library, there is a plaque that commemorates the achievements of ‘Daniel Mendoza’ that was unveiled by the late great Sir Henry Cooper in 2008 – and the fact that Mendoza was buried there.

However – this story’s journey doesn’t end there.

When they were building the University campus at the Novo Jewish Cemetery, two thirds of the graves had to be moved – and again, totally unbeknown to me, the remains, including those of Daniel Mendoza, were dug up, moved and interred in a mass grave at a Jewish Cemetery located in Brentwood-Essex – and just like it was with The Dell boxing venue – literally just down the road from where I live in Romford – how weird is that!!!

So – finally, bringing the life and times of the ‘father’ of boxing technique as we know it today, to a close – the one other interesting fact about the legendary Daniel Mendoza, is that he is the Great- Great Grandad of the legendary actor/comedian ‘Peter Sellers’ – and it is reported that when doing ‘room scenes’ for his iconic ‘Inspector Clouseau’ films, Sellers would always insist that a picture of his Great -Great Grand Father Daniel Mendoza, should be displayed on a wall somewhere.

After an exhausting day checking out all the ‘Mendoza landmarks I’ve mentioned above – I nipped in for a ‘cheeky’ couple of beers, at one of my ‘locals’ The Railway Hotel pub in Hornchurch, right next door to Hornchurch tube station, and literally just a couple of minutes’ walk from the site of ‘The Dell’ – the scene of one of Daniel Mendoza’s many historic fights.

Sorry this one has dragged on a bit, but I felt it was interesting story and one worth telling – hope you enjoy the accompanying photos.

”Daniel Mendoza” – who was born in 1764 and died in 1836 – A man whose influence on the sport of boxing, is still around today – (the photo was taken from a page in my Boxing book)

 

The book that my missus bought me some 35+yrs ago – from where I initially found out all about Daniel Mendoza

 

The entrance to the ‘Bevis Marks Synagogue’ in Aldgate – which was built in 1701 and is the oldest synagogue in the UK. It is a gated property today and unfortunately I was not permitted entry beyond its gates.

 

Taken through its gates – a photo of the ‘Bevis Marks Synagogue’ in Aldgate – built in 1701 and is the oldest synagogue in the UK

 

Me – at the gates of the Bevis Marks Synagogue – Aldgate – Where Daniel Mendoza worshipped

 

The view outside the gates of the Bevis Marks synagogue – not sure what Daniel Mendoza would have made of this

 

An early illustration of Daniel Mendoza – “The Fighting Jew”

 

Paradise Row – Bethnal Green – where Daniel Mendoza lived

 

A view of Paradise Row – taken from outside Bethnal Green tube station

 

No. 3 Paradise Row – home of Daniel Mendoza – you can just about see the ‘blue plaque’ commemorating his occupancy

 

A view along Paradise Row-Bethany Green – Where Mendoza lived at No.3

 

A close-up of the blue plaque on the outside wall of No.3 Paradise Row

 

Me – outside Mendoza’s home at No.3 Paradise Row – Bethnal Green

 

St. Andrews Church – Hornchurch-Essex. The site of ‘The Dell’ gravel pit runs directly alongside to the right of this location.

 

Me – on the trail of finding The Dell

 

Still on the trail of finding The Dell….(it’s well hidden)

 

Although totally overgrown these days – a photo looking down at the old gravel pit that was known as The Dell – and the location of Daniel Mendoza’s historic contest with ‘Gentleman’ John Jackson – Where reportedly 3000 spectators ‘paid’ to watch Mendoza lose

 

Me – having finally located the site known as The Dell – in Hornchurch

 

An illustration from my Boxing book – that depicts a typical scene at a Daniel Mendoza fight

 

Mendoza Close – in Hornchurch-Essex – obviously named after the famous boxer that once fought at The Dell in Hornchurch

 

299 Whitechapel High Street – once the site of the Admiral Nelson pub – where Daniel Mendoza was landlord, after he had hung up his gloves

 

Me – directly outside the address of 299 Whitechapel High St-London E1 – where once Daniel Mendoza ran the ‘Admiral Nelson’ pub

 

Me – outside Barclays Whitechapel branch where I used to work back in the late 1980’s – and it is almost directly opposite the site where the old Admiral Nelson pub once run by Daniel Mendoza, used to be at 299 Whitechapel

 

Queen Mary University – Mile End

 

The remains of the Jewish Novo Cemetery – located bang in the middle of the University campus in Mile End

 

A view of the Jewish Novo Cemetery in the middle of the University campus at Mile End

 

The remaining graves at the Jewish Novo Cemetery

 

Another view of the remaining graves – in the middle of the University campus

 

Another view of the graves at the Jewish Novo Cemetery in the middle of the Queen Mary University campus – the original burial site of Daniel Mendoza

 

Me – next to the graves at the Novo Cemetery

 

A close-up of the Mendoza commemorative plaque at the University – that was unveiled by Sir Henry Cooper in 2008

 

A closer close-up of the Mendoza commemorative plaque at Queen Mary University

 

Me – having located the commemorative plaque to Daniel Mendoza – on display on a wall of the University Library Mile End – and right next to the Novo Cemetery where Daniel Mendoza was originally buried

 

The entrance to the purpose built Jewish Cemetery at Brentwood-Essex – where approximately two thirds of the remains buried at the Novo Cemetery, were moved to when the University started building on the land at Mile End

 

The mass grave at the Jewish Cemetery at Brentwood-Essex – where two thirds of the original Novo Cemetery remains where moved to and laid to rest

 

The ‘Railway Hotel’ pub in Hornchurch-Essex – right next to Hornchurch tube station – and no more that a couple of minutes walk from what was The Dell – the location of Daniel Mendoza’s fight with ‘Gentleman’ John Jackson in 1795. The pub was opened in the 1930’s to coincide with the electrification of the District Line and Hornchurch as an Underground Station

 

A knackered me outside The Railway pub in Hornchurch-Essex

 

‘Seconds Out’ – me neckin’ down a cheeky one in The Railway Hotel pub Hornchurch-Essex – before ‘throwing in the towel’ after a long day

 

 

 

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13 Comments
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13 Responses

  1. Neal says
    October 6, 2018 at 11:33 am

    A really interesting read

    Reply
  2. Lee says
    October 6, 2018 at 11:34 am

    Brilliant Geoff I could relate to all of this

    Reply
  3. Avril says
    October 6, 2018 at 11:34 am

    I have no interest in boxing at all but enjoyed reading this very much

    Reply
  4. Ian says
    October 6, 2018 at 11:34 am

    I find all of your blogs interesting but I have to say I really enjoyed this one. Might be the Whitechapel link, probably is, but I’m even tempted to try and track down the book Brings back many great memories. Cheers

    Reply
  5. Mark says
    October 6, 2018 at 11:35 am

    Nice one Geoff – like the idea of following up on the history of (to me) unknown but interesting Londoners

    Reply
  6. Anonymous says
    March 20, 2019 at 12:15 am

    Good evening Geoff,

    I found your article by chance and had a very particular curiosity reading it. Thank you for sharing your interest.

    I am only disappointed that the pictures of the house on Paradise row have waste bags on the pavement. You must have visited on a Tuesday as the council usually collects them on a Wednesday.

    Best regards,

    A resident of Paradise Row.

    Reply
  7. David Brooks says
    May 10, 2020 at 10:47 am

    How easy is it to find the plaque on the campus? I’m planning a boxing theme journey around the east end after lockdown. Have previously visited the plaque in Paradise Row but would
    like to see the one at the University. Many thanks

    Reply
    • Geoff Clements says
      May 10, 2020 at 1:49 pm

      Hello David,
      Thank you for taking the time and trouble to comment on my article on Daniel Mendoza – it’s so reassuring when a viewer/reader makes contact, as it makes my little ‘London Shoes’ hobby all worthwhile.

      With regard to your enquiry on where the Daniel Mendoza plaque is situated – its actually really easy to locate. Just pass through the main University entrance and head towards the site of the old Jewish graveyard in the centre of the Uni campus – there on an exterior of one of the buildings located alongside the graveyard, you will see the brass/metalic plaque commemorating Daniel Mendoza’s life. Hope this helps.
      Kind regards……Geoff (London Shoes)

      Reply
  8. Sharyn Wilkinson says
    June 14, 2020 at 10:52 am

    I was looking up information about Daniel Mendoza and came across your blog, which I found very interesting, I’m a direct decedent of Daniel Mendoza through his youngest daughter Matilda Mendoza who married Samuel Simmons and ended up in Australia with a small number of his other children. He was my Great Great Great Great Grand Father.Thankyou for taking an interest and writing about him, and for the photos.

    Reply
    • Geoff Clements says
      June 14, 2020 at 12:24 pm

      Hello Sharyn,
      Thank you so much for taking the time & trouble to contact me – really grateful to you, and I’m so glad that you enjoyed the blog on your ancestor, the great Daniel Mendoza.
      Also – thank you so much for highlighting and sharing your own personal family connection to the great man – that is certainly some pedigree you have there – and I am sure that there will be others who will continue to read this article with great interest.
      Thank you & kind regards…..
      Geoff (London Shoes)

      Reply
    • Stephen Martin says
      August 2, 2020 at 9:58 am

      Hello cousin! 🙂
      I’m from Daniel’s daughter Sophia’s branch, and know a few others from Matilda’s branch.

      This is a shoutout to any other direct descendants out there. At present, many of us have been able to trace only Sophia and Matilda having children. The records of the other children of Daniel and Esther isn’t quite clear in the records, so worthy to let us know. Therefore probably a mention here that Peter Sellers is descendant of Mordecai Moses Mendoza, Daniel’s first-cousin.

      I agree, great blog and pictures – thank you Geoff for writing, and to Sharyn for posting a comment

      Reply
      • Geoff Clements says
        August 3, 2020 at 1:08 pm

        Hi Stephen – you’re very welcome, and thank you for the compliment, and I hope my blog posting goes some way to helping you and others with your Daniel Mendoza ancestry research

        Reply
  9. Leona says
    June 24, 2020 at 12:22 pm

    Wow I work at Queen Mary College. I have researched east end history for years. My great great grandfather lived at no. 11 Paradise Row.
    My ancestry is Jewish, Romany & French Hugenout, and my friend’s DNA is Shepardic Jewish……..and I ended up working at Queen Mary.

    Reply

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