Daniel Mendoza: The Father of Scientific Boxing

By Josh Clare – BkN UK

Bare-knuckle boxing has always been a sport of grit, toughness, and raw power. But every now and then, a fighter comes along who changes the game completely. One of the first—and arguably most important—was Daniel Mendoza, the man who revolutionized the way people fought in the 18th century.

The Rise of a Game-Changer

Born in 1764, Mendoza wasn’t a giant of a man. At 5’7” and weighing around 160 lbs, he was often the smaller fighter in the ring. Back then, size and brute force dictated success in boxing. But Mendoza wasn’t just another brawler—he was a strategist, a thinker, and, ultimately, the man who introduced defense, movement, and counterpunching to the sport.

Rather than standing toe-to-toe and slugging it out, Mendoza used footwork, head movement, and angles to avoid punches and land his own shots. He turned boxing from a contest of toughness into a science—something that would eventually become the foundation of modern fighting.

A Champion and a Trailblazer

In 1792, Mendoza became the English Bare-Knuckle Champion, a title he held for three years. But his impact went beyond just winning fights. He broke through barriers as the first Jewish champion in British sports, paving the way for other minority fighters to step into the ring.

Not only was he a dominant fighter, but he was also one of the first to document the sport. In 1790, he published “The Art of Boxing”, one of the earliest boxing manuals ever written. His teachings shaped the way fighters trained and fought for generations to come.

The First Boxing Rivalry

Mendoza wasn’t just a fighter—he was a showman. His rivalry with Richard Humphries was the first in boxing history to be promoted through newspapers, bringing attention to the sport like never before. Their trilogy of fights from 1788 to 1790 became the talk of the town, cementing Mendoza’s place as a true pioneer of boxing promotion.

From the Streets to the Royal Court

Mendoza’s influence wasn’t limited to the fight game. His skill and reputation earned him the chance to teach King George III’s sons how to fight. His ability to elevate boxing from a street brawl to a respected discipline proved just how much he changed the perception of the sport.

A Tough Loss, But a Lasting Legacy

Mendoza eventually lost his title in 1795 to “Gentleman” John Jackson, a much larger opponent who exploited the old-school bare-knuckle rules—grabbing Mendoza by the hair and pummeling him into defeat. But despite the loss, Mendoza’s impact on the sport never faded.

Before him, boxing was just about standing still and swinging. He made it an art. His techniques influenced Jack Johnson, Muhammad Ali, Tyson Fury, and countless others who built their styles on defense, movement, and counterattacking.

Every time a fighter dodges a punch or lands a perfect counter, they owe a piece of their craft to Mendoza.

A True Pioneer. A True Legend.

His name may not be the first one mentioned when people talk about boxing history, but his influence is undeniable. Daniel Mendoza wasn’t just a champion—he changed the fight game forever.