BITTOON, ISAAC (sometimes called Pittoon):
English pugilist, fencing master, and teacher of "the noble art of self-defense"; born in 1778; died in Feb., 1838. His first encounter was with Tom Jones of Paddington, whom he met and defeated at Wimbledon, Surrey, July 31, 1801. This victory was followed by a drawn battle with George Maddox, which took place Dec. 13, 1802, on the same spot, and was called off after seventy-four rounds. On July 16, 1804, on Willesden Green, near London, Bittoon fought a drawn battle with William Wood, a London coachman, interrupted in the thirty-sixth round by the appearance of officers from Bow street.Subsequently he appeared in the ring only as a second; and on Nov. 16, 1812, assisted Jack Carter in his match against Jack Power.
Soon after his last appearance as a principal, Bittoon retired from the prize-ring, and established an athletic school in Goulston street, Whitechapel, London, where he gave instruction in boxing and fencing. He was buried in the Jewish cemetery near Bethnal Green.
- Miles, Pugilistica, vol. i.
