William Hague

James William "Iron" Hague (6 November 1885 – 18 August 1951) was a boxer born in Mexborough, West Riding of Yorkshire. He was the British heavyweight champion between 1909 and 1911.

Family and early life James William "Iron" Hague was the oldest of six children of John Hague and Ann (Annie) Bennet Hague, who were married on 30 August 1885. John was a coal miner, and Ann was the daughter of a barman. Ann's father, William Bennet, was known in cricket circles, and her brother, William 'Mickey' Bennet, was center forward for Sheffield. James was baptized on 20 June 1886.

Hague first worked at a colliery, and then at a glassworks before being scouted in 1904. He had previously won several pickup fights at fair days, beginning in 1899.

Hague married Lucy Law (11 September 1886 - 16 May 1946) on 27 October 1909 in Mexborough, Yorkshire (West Riding), England. Langford is rated as being in the top 10 fighters of all time. Hague, controversially at the time, did not believe in a 'colour bar' for boxing. He was quoted as saying that "unless all men are allowed to freely compete, how can you ever find the true champion?" Hague weighed in at about 196 pounds, while Langford weighed about 158 pounds. The match lasted four rounds, with Langford knocking Hague out one minute and forty-nine seconds into the fourth round. This huge left from Hague knocked Langford down and he only just managed to rally. Hague had broken his hand with the punch, which marred his performance thereafter.

Defending championship He defended the title once against Bill Chase, knocking him out in the sixth round. Hague lost his title on 24 April 1911 to the up-and-coming Bombardier Billy Wells

Post-championship Hague boxed irregularly from 1912 through 1915. Hague joined the Grenadier Guards in 1914, and began boxing again during his time in the military. One was against Henry Curzon at the Chelsea Football Fields in 1915. His last match was against Joe Mills (Joe Tampling) at the Artillery Depot, Harfleur, at the end of 1915. The match ended with Mills dying in hospital from concussion. He is buried in Mexborough Cemetery.