These were qualities also displayed by a fighter who had his most famous contests almost 180 years ago in an area of the West Midlands known as the "Black Country" probably because it was heavily industrialised at the time.

Today a short trip on the suburban train from Birmingham’s New Street station brings you to Tipton, 15 miles from the NEC.

 At Tipton station, an archway sculpture entitled "The Slasher’s Progress," provides an immediate introduction for the visitor.

William Perry was born in 1819, the same year as Queen Victoria and by the time he was a teenager he was already working as a "navigational" labourer on the canals.

Perry was once described as "this ungainly specimen," and others called him a "lumping lad".

He suffered from a condition known as "K Leg" or "knock knee," but his ability as a fighter was soon noticed because in those days, disputes on the canal would often be settled with the fists.

It seems that he ventured to London in search of work. 

In Perry’s time, the rules drawn up by the Marquess of Queensberry had not yet been established and it was  largely unregulated, though "London rules" were in force.

Prize fighting was illegal and faced a constant battle to avoid the attention of the local police.

That it continued in spite of the law, was because the opportunities for betting that it offered appealed to all levels of society both rich and poor.

Perry’s first "prize fight" came aged only 16 when he faced Irishman Barney Dogherty in 1835. 

Perry was described as “determined and dangerous,” 

The match was originally scheduled for Wimbledon Common  but there were reports that police were nearby and about to pounce in order to prevent the fight from taking place.

The interested parties all followed the fighters to Mortlake in South West London where the fight began.

Even then it was not completed and eventually finished at yet another location in London.

Bell’' Life, a popular if sometimes erratic chronicle of the sport at that time, noted that  Perry won "in about seven rounds".

By late 1836, it appears that he had returned to Tipton and it was recorded that a Birmingham fighter Ben Spilsbury visited the town to give a demonstration of the not quite "Noble Art".

Perry sparred with Spilsbury and made a good enough impression for a prize fight to be arranged for a stake of £10 a side on December 27 in 1836.

The contest was at Oldbury, "six miles on the Dudley Road". 

Pugilistica, a boxing history compiled in 1906, relates how Spilsbury kept "a la distance" and Perry was declared the winner..

Perry next fought Jem Scunner, a local fighter from nearby Gornal.

 Scunner was considered the favourite, but the fight was interrupted because "a dispute arose".

The following day, it resumed at  Kingswood near Wolverhampton.

In Bell’s Life, Scunner was reported to have "run at his man like a mad bull, but Perry sent him back each time with slashing effect".

After 31 rounds, Perry was declared the winner.

Scunner went off to become a gamekeeper "to a noble Lord".

By this time, Perry had already become known as the "Slasher," but he was not the first, as George Sinclair from Merseyside, was often listed  in boxing records of the time as the "Liverpool Slasher".

Matchmaking deals were often concluded in the back rooms at local pubs, and Perry made his base at the Fountain Inn, an establishment which is still open in Tipton.

The building now has protected status and the Black Country Society, a local history group have published booklets detailing his life and times and a museum keeps surviving artefacts of his life.

Sometimes, the agreed monies did not change hands and as a result fights were cancelled.

In 1839, newspapers reported that Tunchy Shelton, a fighter from Derby in the East Midlands, complained that Perry "had not made good on the third deposit for a match," and therefore claimed a forfeit.

In 1840 there was talk of another contest against Benjamin Wassell,a local fighter known as the "Brierley Hill Pet".

The stake was to be lodged at the Jolly Collier, a pub in Tipton, but again, there are no reports that the fight ever took place.

Perry did take part in a famous international contest against Charles Freeman, a fighter from the United States, known as the "American giant".

Freeman stood 2.08 metres tall and weighed 114 kilograms.

"The said Charles Freeman agrees to fight the said William Perry, a fair stand-up fight,in a four-and-twenty foot roped ring, according to the new rules ,for £100 a side," said the document which was drawn up for the contest.

Their first bout was held in the Hertfordshire town of Sawbridgeworth but ended inconclusively because darkness fell.

A poem telling the story of the fight ended with the line: 

"And all uninjured and unscathed in Tuesday’s battle fray,

"Slasher and Freeman both survive to fight another day."

A rematch was arranged in mid December at Taplow, near the River Thames close to Maidenhead.

This did not go ahead because it was "interrupted by the interference of the magisterial authorities".

Eventually, hostilities resumed in late December at Gravesend in Kent.

Reports relate how 400 spectators and camp followers were taken to the fight on board a steamer called "The Father Thames".

They saw a contest of 39 rounds in which Perry "seemed to be losing his wind" in the later stages.

Freeman was eventually declared the winner.

Observers conceded that Perry "would doubtless have shown to more advantage against a man of his own size."

Freeman remained in England where he appeared in theatre melodramas and as a circus performer, but he died at the age of 24 from consumption, a form of tuberculosis.

Perry returned to action with three contests against Tass Parker, a fighter from West Bromwich.

"Much excitement prevailed amongst patrons of the prize ring, both men have acquired much celebrity," said reports before the first in December 1843.

This ended in a draw after the magistrates interfered once again.

Perry went on to beat the same opponent on two further occasions. 

It is likely that there were other contests, but on the first day of October 1850, "articles of agreement," were signed that Perry and Thomas Paddock "shall fight a fair stand up fight" within 80 miles of London.

It was also agreed that "12 persons shall be engaged to keep the ring clear of all intruders and to protect the umpires and referee from molestation".

A footnote from the editor of Bell’s Life noted," The articles have been drawn up in the spirit of fair play and strict adherence to their provisions will do much to restore the fallen character and reputation of the ring."

When the fight took place, the Morning Advertiser reported that, "The Tipton loomed large and formidable," and was declared the winner after 42 minutes in the 27th round.

Perry now claimed to be champion of England.

The following February, a benefit at the Crown Inn in Salford was a "capital muster, in honour of William Perry".

Although unable to read or write, Perry gave a speech "so full of eloquence that many thought he had the oratorical fever".

The following September, he lost to Harry Broome in a disputed fight but attempts to organise a rematch proved fruitless.

In 1853, however, Broome announced his retirement and Perry claimed the title again.

His final outing was against Tom Sayers of Brighton in 1857.

"Seldom has it fallen to our lot to describe an event of similar importance," newspaper reports began.

The fight was held on the Isle of Grain in June 1857. 

Spectators were taken by ship through the estuary.

"We observed many offering their contributions to Neptune in the most liberal manner," said reports.

In the fight itself, Sayers eventually downed his opponent and after 10 rounds he was proclaimed the winner.

On the return voyage to the mainland, Sayers took a collection for his vanquished opponent.

It was the last recorded time that Perry fought.

In later life he is believed to have kept a beer house.

It was also said that his likeness was made by the Madame Tussaud waxworks. 

William Perry died in 1880, but his reputation lives on as other boxers from the area have embraced the heritage, notably featherweight Lee Glover who fought regularly in the last decade under the same nickname as a modern day "Tipton Slasher".