Crabbe, Elisha

Elisha D. Crabbe

One of the earliest Jewish boxers to gain renown in England, Crabbe was a noted gymnast before taking up boxing in the late 1780s. Early boxing historian Pierce Egan explained that Crabb was, "if not an immediate pupil of Mendoza (Daniel Mendoza), it is certain, that he derived a number of embellishments from that celebrated boxer. In those days, when pugilism was a distinguished feature of attraction, and when most of its professors were men of eminence...Crabbe raised himself, even at this period, far above mediocrity, and entitled to honourable mention in the annals of pugilism." Following his retirement from the ring, Crabbe became a police officer in London after being, "an object of considerable attraction, as a pugilist, among the members of his own persuasion."

Birth and Death Dates:
b. unknown - d. June 9, 1809

Career Highlights:
Crabbe was a bare-knuckle fighter in England in the late 18th Century and fought in the era of "Broughton's Rules." Established in 1743 by Jack Broughton, 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 as the downed fighter had 30 seconds to return to the center of the ring or he would lose. If the fighter, with the help of his handlers, made it to the center, the fights 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."

Crabbe's first known bout, fought on April 17, 1788 in Blackheath, England, was witnessed by the Prince of Wales who was later to become King George IV. Crabbe battled Tom Oliver and according to Egan, "...in closing, the superior strength of Crabbe was manifest, and the latter threw his antagonist with considerable ingenuity...to the discomfiture of his wind...the science of the Jew adroitly warded off his attacks, and returned some truly desperate facers, that changed Oliver's death-like appearance to a more crimson hue. After a contest of upwards of half an hour...the Jew was proclaimed the conqueror."

After defeating Oliver, Crabbe "obtained considerable fame as a pugilist." Elisha faced Bob Watson less than two months later on June 9, but Watson won the bout in 45 minutes. Two years later, Crabbe fought the great Tom Tyne in a place called Horton Moor on March 24, 1790. Odds favored Tyne, but Crabbe had a good showing as he knocked Tyne down in rounds 8, 14, and 16. In the 22nd round, which was "the most attractive, if not the best contested round in the fight -- the Jew showed off some neat specimens of the Mendoza school." Despite being the more "showy fighter," Crabbe was compelled to give in during the 39th round after 35 minutes of fighting.

Origin:
London, England

Physical description:
5'8"

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