While Chris Eubank and Tommy Farr are the two boxers most associated with Brighton and Hove, one local boxer, William Phelps, a lightweight, gained the nickname "Brighton Bill".

He was a bare-knuckle fighter in the 19th Century. In those days it was not unusual for a fight to continue until one or other of the protagonists was physically incapable of carrying on.

The boxers inflicted such serious damage on each other that death was not too unusual.

In 1837, Owen Swift, lightweight champion of England, defended his title against Phelps.

The fight continued for 85 rounds with both men becoming increasingly hurt and bloodied until, with the Brighton man virtually helpless, the sponge was thrown in.

Swift had just enough strength to shake hands with his beaten foe.

Phelps tried to rise but fell back unconscious. He died shortly afterwards.

Swift fled to France but was arrested on his return in 1839 and tried for manslaughter at Hertford Assizes. Although acquitted, he never entered the ring again.

-John Rackham, Brighton