Man’s Best Friend Guards His Master's Tomb
- Editor OGN Daily
- 55 minutes ago
- 2 min read
Deep in London's Highgate Cemetery, there’s a rather unusual grave - not just because it marks the resting place of a 19th‑century bare‑knuckle champion, but because it’s watched over by a delightful sculpture of his beloved dog.
Thomas “Tom” Sayers (1826-1865) was one of England’s most famous bare‑knuckle prize fighters. Standing about 5 ft 8 in and weighing roughly 150 lb, he fearlessly faced much larger opponents throughout his career. He became England’s heavyweight champion after beating William “the Tipton Slasher” Perry in 1857, and later fought a legendary match against American champ John C. Heenan in what many consider boxing’s first world championship.
The international bout was fought in 1860 and was a remarkably popular event. So much so that Parliament shortened its hours in order to allow MPs to attend; and Queen Victoria asked to be informed of the result. It was, by all accounts, a brutal contest - but ended in a draw after spectators flooded the ring.
Sayers was Britain's final bare-knuckle champion before the more gentlemanly Queensbury Rules were introduced in 1867.
When he died in 1865 at just 39, his funeral drew huge crowds. His loyal mastiff, Lion, didn’t just attend - he rode in his own carriage as “chief mourner,” a touching tribute to their bond.
Today, Sayers’ marble chest tomb - crafted by sculptor Morton Edwards - still stands in a leafy corner of Highgate Cemetery in north London, guarded by a life‑like stone figure of Lion, forever watching over his master - an enduring symbol of loyalty.
This Grade II listed marble structure is considered "one of the jewels of London's best-known necropolis". Highgate Cemetery hosts many famous figures, including the iconic tomb of Karl Marx, author Douglas Adams, singer George Michael (unmarked), scientist Michael Faraday, and author George Eliot.
