Johnny Broome

Johnny Broome (Born: 14 March 1818; Birmingham, England – 31 May 1855; England) was a lightweight bare-knuckle boxer.

Broome was a gifted pugilist known as "Young Duckro." He was never defeated in the prize ring, and had a younger brother (Harry Broome) who became Heavyweight Champion of England. Johnny stood 5' 6½" and weighed between 133 and 140 pounds.

Early life Johnny Broome was born in Birmingham on 14 March 1818. According to one source: Subsequently, a fight took against Charles Spilsbury on 26 January 1835.

Subsequent fights took place against: Gallet on 5 February 1838; Charley Jones at Woore, Newcastle-under-Lyme on 21 May 1839; McGinty, near Glasgow on 1 July 1840; Joe Bostock in Warwickshire on 6 October 1840.

In addition to his fighting career, Johnny Broome was also influential in the boxing world as a financial backer and arranger of fights. One fighter that he backed for a period was William Perry (the Tipton Slasher). Broome attempted to arrange a fight between Perry and James "Deaf" Burke in August 1842, although the match was cancelled as Broome failed to pay the deposit on the match stake in time.

Horse racing In 1848 Broome accepted an offer to compete in the Grand National steeplechase at Aintree. On board an unconsidered outsider named Eagle, he got as far as Becher's Brook on the second circuit before falling.

Suicide Towards the end, Broome's reputation was tainted with scandal, as he was associated with some questionable transactions and a card fixing fraud. On 31 May 1855 he walked into the kitchens of the Wrekin Tavern, at Bow Street, took a carving knife and cut his own throat. He bled to death and was buried at West Norwood Cemetery.

His younger brother, Harry Broome (1825–1865) was also a prize fighter.