Aaron, Barney

Nicknamed "The Star of the East," Aaron was elected to the International Boxing Hall of Fame as a pioneer boxer (someone who fought before 1892) in January 2001. A hard-hitting bare-knuckled fighter in England in the first half of the 19th Century, Barney fought in the era of "Broughton's Rules." Established in 1743 by Jack Broughton, who was considered the father of English boxing, the "Rules" stated that wrestling moves about the waist were allowed, but a fighter could not hit an opponent once he was down. In fact, knockdowns marked the division of rounds -- and the downed fighter had 30 seconds to return to the center of the ring, or he would lose the bout. If the fighter, with the help of his handlers, made it to the center, the contest resumed in what was considered a new round. In this way, fights were recorded according to the number of rounds and amount of time. "Broughton's Rules" were replaced in 1838 by the Pugilistic Society's "London Prize Ring Rules."

Birth and Death Dates:
b. November 21, 1800 - d. 1850

Career Highlights:
A fishmonger's son, Barney began fighting in 1819, and was deemed the successor to Dutch Sam as the pride of the London's Jewish community. During his early career, he fought and defeated William Connelly, Manny Lyons, Ely Bendon, and Samuel Belasco; he also fought Jewish pugilist Angel Hyams in an interrupted bout in the early 1920s. On May 6, 1823 at Blindlow Heath, Aaron defeated Ned Stockton in a bout that went 40 rounds and lasted 39 minutes. A few months later, Aaron defeated Jack Lenny at Harpenden Common in 15 minutes (11 rounds) and won a prize of 25 pounds. In December of that year, he won another 25 pounds by beating Frank Redmond in 32 minutes (29 rounds) in Moulsey, England. The following year, Aaron defeated Peter Warren on April 6 in Colnbrook for 50 guineas in a bout that took 29 rounds and lasted 23 minutes. After the bout, Aaron was praised in a ballad, "...Hebrew science lifts its voice, Aaron proves a Moses. Barney Aaron! Barney Aaron! Through the Sin-a-gog and streets, Rabbis, with their oily air on, Shout his name and praise his feats."

On June 21, 1824, Barney was bested by Arthur Matthewson after 58-rounds (1 hour and 10 minutes), and then forfeited to Dick Curtis in November. Three years later, on February 27, Barney fought Curtis in Andover in a stage bout and Curtis emerged the victor after 50 minutes, and nine-rounds. Following his loss, Aaron won 50 pounds when Frank Redmond forfeited their bout in August. Two months later, on October 23, Barney defeated Redmond in 1 hour and 12 minutes, in a bout that went 42 rounds. Aaron defeated Marsh Bateman -- and won 40 pounds -- in July 1828 at Lansdowne Racecourse; he then thrashed Jem Hawkins in May 1829 in Essex, in a bout that went only 13 rounds in 28 minutes. Barney suffered defeat at the hands (and fists) of "Sailor Boy" Harry Jones and "East End Sailor Boy" Tom Smith, but Aaron continued to fight until 1834, when he retired from the ring and became a fishmonger like his father. Barney's son, also named Barney Aaron, followed him into the ring and fought under the name Young Barney Aaron.

Origin:
London or Leicester, England (sources differ)

Physical description:
135-140 pounds

< Previous |  Next >