Harry Broome

Boxing career Though only 17, Broome had two London bouts in 1842, an exhibition and a win against Byng Stocks and Hal Mitchell, which may have been considered amateur bouts, as they were fought with gloves. According to one report, the two fought "a well contested battle of eighty-one minutes, during which thirty-nine rounds were fought". Broome did his best work, near the end of the match, most frequently leading with his left. The fighting was fierce from the opening round, and both men left the ring exhausted. The outcome of this fight enabled Broome to claim the title of heavyweight champion of England, and take the championship belt. He likely fought as a light heavyweight at best, as his competition weight was not known to exceed 175. Regardless of his condition, the bout was described as one of his best, and he fought convincingly.

Broome had two fights scheduled with Tom Paddock in February and March 1855, but Paddock failed to show for either bout. By the 48th round, the left side of Broome's face was quite swollen, and his left eye nearly swollen shut. Broome fell in the 49th from a blow to his left ear. In the brutal affair, Broome was down again in the 50th. In the 51st and final round, Broome was down from a right to the chest, and though he tried to rise, his second threw in the sponge. Though the betting favorite early on, Broome was described as "completely disabled" and presented a "shocking spectacle" by the end of the fight. He retired immediately after the disabling loss.

After retirement

After finishing his fighting career he kept a pub in Portsmouth and later kept the "Crown and Cushion" in Little Russell Street, London. In later years, he was often found wagering money at race meetings which may have contributed to his poverty in later life.

Career record

Win Fred Mason 11 October 1843 Northfleet, Kent 39 rounds Welterweight championship

Joe Rowe 10 December 1844 Greenhithe, Kent 81 rounds Welterweight championship Win Joe Rowe 13 May 1845 Ensham Common 27 rounds Welterweight championship

Ben Terry 3 February 1846 Shrivenham, Berks 49 rounds Crowd rioted due to foul, referee fled Win William Perry 29 September 1851 Mildenhall, Suffolk 15 rounds Won English Heavyweight championship Win Harry Orme 18 April 1853 Brandon, Suffolk 31 rounds Defended English championship Loss Tom Paddock 19 May 1856 Bentley, Sussex 51 rounds Lost English championship, retired