Different Rules

In the early days of the prize ring, rules were somewhat different to those of today. Not restricted to jabs, uppercuts, or other punches, fighters were allowed to use throws that would seem better suited to today's professional wrestlers.

In the Owen Swift versus Hammer Lane fight of 1834, Lane repeatedly picked up his opponent and threw him to the ground. And just for good measure, when Swift was down, Lane would follow-up by falling on his opponent.

To the left we see Lane about to throw his opponent to the ground. Swift, a Londoner, took a terrible beating over 104 rounds.