Ben Caunt
Ben Caunt (22 March 1815 – 10 September 1861) was a 19th-century English bare-knuckle boxer who became the "heavyweight" boxing champion known as the "Torkard Giant" and "Big Ben".
Early life
Caunt was born on 22 March 1815 in Hucknall Torkard in Nottinghamshire in England. Caunt stood six foot two inches tall and weighed 18 stone. He was said to be strong, durable, willing yet also slow and clumsy. His early boxing career is not well known, but he did defeat several minor local opponents at the age of 18.
Boxing career
In 1834 he beat George Graham (of Lincolnshire). On 21 July 1835, Caunt boxed William "Bendigo" Thompson and was disqualified for an alleged foul striking Thompson while he was sitting in his corner.
On 17 August 1837, Caunt fought and beat William Butler at Stoneyford, and on 4 November Bill Boniford at Sunrise Hill.
On 3 April 1838, Caunt again fought William Thompson on Skipworth Common, and after 75 rounds Thompson was disqualified for going down without being struck; Caunt claimed the Heavyweight Championship of England but this was not generally accepted.
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