Boxing Career
In 1834 he beat George Graham (of Lincolnshire). On July 21, 1835, Caunt boxed William "Bendigo" Thompson and was disqualified for an alleged foul striking Thompson while he was sitting in his corner.
In 1837, Caunt fought and beat on August 17 William Butler at Stoneyford and on November 4 Bill Boniford at Sunrise Hill.
On April 3, 1838, Caunt again fought William Thompson on Skipworth Common, and after 75 rounds Thompson was disqualified for going down without being struck; Caunt claimed the Heavyweight Championship of England but this was not generally accepted.
On June 24 Caunt was scheduled to again fight William Thompson but the bout was cancelled.
In 1840 on October 26 Caunt defeated Bill Brassey at Six Mile Bottom in 101 rounds.
Then in 1841 on February 2 Caunt fought Nick Ward on Crookham Common for the Heavyweight Championship of England where the crowd forced the referee to disqualify Caunt for an alleged blow striking Ward while he was down.
Caunt avenged this defeat on May 11 of the same year, defeating Ward in 35 rounds at Long Marsden to become the Heavyweight Champion of England. On September 10, 1841 Caunt sailed to America to challenge Tom Hyer to a world championship bout, but Hyer never replied. Caunt returned to England on March 10, 1842 with the "American Giant" Charles Freeman.
In 1845 he was challenged for the English heavyweight title by William Thompson. On September 9 Caunt lost at Stoney Stratford with a disputable decision after 93 rounds where it was alleged that Caunt went down without a blow striking him. Caunt denied this accusation and announced his retirement, only to return for a final attempt at the heavyweight crown 12 years later.
Read more about this topic: Ben Caunt
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