National Langham

Background

Stephen Nathaniel Langham was born in 1820 into abject poverty in Hinckley, Leicestershire.

Career

He always spoke with a speech impediment, the result of a childhood incident when he stole a hot potato from a market stall — caught in the act, the vendor thrust the steaming potato into his mouth, causing severe permanent tissue scarring. Langham was just under six feet (18 m) tall, and 11 stones (70 kg or 154 lb) in weight. His deprived childhood caused him to suffer ill health all his life.

During his career, boxing was an illegal clandestine profession, carried out in comparative secrecy.

In spite of the small prizes available, his prowess in the ring earned him a considerable fortune. In the 1861 census of London he appears as a Victualler and as widower living on Castle Street in Westminster.

A blue plaque now commemorates Langham"s place of Birth on Church Street, Hinckley and a road "Langham Close" now bares his name which has been verified as being named after the boxer. Langham died of consumption in 1871 at the age of 52 in London, he is buried in Brompton Cemetery.

Achievements

• Following his defeat of Sayers in 1857, he retired from the ring and became the match making manager of the first ever professional Champion of the boxing world, the pioneer of professional boxing and the first worldwide sports star Jem Mace.

Connections

opponent:

Thomas Sayers