Kingsbury (W. H.) after, ‘Thomas Futrell, the NOTED BOXER of WARWICKSHIRE’ / ‘Aged 25. 6 feet high Weighs 15 Stones 1 Pound’, hand-coloured engraving and etching, paper watermarked J. Whatman, 480 by 320mm, framed & glazed, S. W. Fores, 1788.*** According to Boxiana, Fewtrell was a ‘man of great bulk and uncommon strength’. His seemingly poor performance in his fight against John Jackson (given he was reported to have previously been unbeaten in 18 contests), was thought in some quarters to be due to the fact that someone was masquerading as Fewtrell. Through his sparring exhibitions in Scotland, at the beginning of the 1790’s, Fewtrell can be credited with playing a part in helping to first popularise the sport in the north. Surprisingly, he also taught boxing in France. Fewtrell was one of the first sportsmen to write a book, Boxing Reviewed, 1790, which he declared was written ‘for the purpose of vindicating Pugilism from the unjustifiable censors of illiterate and weak minds, and proving its utility on rational principles.’Provenance:From the Boxing Collection of Pierre and Anna Spake.