1805 Gallery of the Gallant Ballot

[Lord Cornelius Acton]

Attention: Voting membership of the Royal Explorers Club


Balloting for the 1805 Gallery of the Gallant is now open and will remain so for two days.

You may cast a ballot for any, all or none of the following retired pugilists:


Gentleman John Jackson (HW) 1788 - 1800
W17(12) / L6(3) / D4 - World & English Heavyweight Champion

Jackson took the English title from Ben Bryan in 1793. He laid down that belt prior to meeting Bryan in 1796 for the first REC World title. Jackson won but later lost the honors to Bryan subsequently drawing three times in attempts to win it back. This is Jackson's fifth and final time on the ballot.

Full record

Tom Johnson (HW) 1783 - 1802
W20(8) / L11(5) / D2 - Two-time World Heavyweight Champion & English Heavyweight Champion

Johnson held the English title briefly in 1783 when he defeated the great Mendoza. In 1795, when he was generally considered past his prime, Johnson pushed eventual World champion John Jackson to a second day of fighting in the REC elimination tournament. With a flagging career, Johnson had a seven fight string beginning in 1798 that led to a World title shot in 1800 at the age of fifty. Johnson shocked the fancy with an upset over Big Ben Bryan. He lost the belt to Thomas Owen in 1801 but miraculously won it back in 1802 and defended once before retiring from the ring. This is Johnson's second time on the ballot.


Tinman Hooper (MW) 1789 - 1803
W19(5) / L11(3) / D3 - World Middleweight Champion & Two-time English Middleweight Champion

Hooper was the workhorse of the middleweight division for more than a decade defeating (and bowing to) nearly everyone of consequence. More than half of his professional bouts were for the English or World titles. This is Hooper's second time on the ballot.

Full record


Big Ben Bryan (HW) 1786 - 1804
W28(18) / L8(3) / D2 / ND2 - Two-time World Heavyweight Champion and English Champion

Big Ben lost his English belt to John Jackson and then was defeated by Jackson again in the first World heavyweight title bout. Bryan claimed the World title for himself in 1797 and held it until 1800 when Tom Johnson worked his miracle. Following Johnson's retirement, Bryan had one last big fight in him as he reclaimed the belt with a surprising win over Joe Lashley in 1803. He surrendered the belt to Lashley in 1804 after making one defense against an over-matched Bishop Blaize.

Full record






Sincerely,
Lord Cornelius Acton
President, Royal Explorers Club of Glasgow.

Visit the Gallery of the Gallant

[Lord Cornelius Acton]

Twenty four hours remain for balloting.

Big Ben may be on his way to first Ballot status while Jackson faces a fifth and final rejection.

[Brooks TVB]

Bryan Rules!!!!

[bigMatt]

I again vote "none of the above" in protest of Watson's denial to the Gallery.