Arthur Frederick "Peggy" Bettinson (10 March 1862 – 24 December 1926) was a skilled pugilist, becoming English Amateur Boxing Association Lightweight Champion in 1882.

As its manager, he implemented a strict code of conduct, rules and etiquette that was adhered to by both boxers and spectators, ushering in a culture change that brought respect and legitimacy to what had been a barely regulated, lawless and chaotic sport.

His crusade for firm rules and fair play encouraged a growing number of wealthy backers to pour their influence and money into these sports.

The NSC enhanced the reputation and reach of boxing during World War I, working with various regiments to lay on training and tournaments for the British and French armed forces.

Bettinson was once asked how he gained the nickname "Peggy": I was the baby of a large family, and as a youngster fresh to an infant school my mother tried to break me of lefthandedness.

My elder brothers, always glad to take it out of me, carried that name to school, where the other boys seized upon it, and it has stuck to me through a life-time, though it is years since anybody was curious enough to ask how I got it.Bettinson was born 10 March 1862[2] into a working-class family.

At the age of 19 he reached the semi-finals of the inaugural Amateur Boxing Association (ABA) finals that took place in London in 1881, as a middleweight representing the German Gymnastic Society.

[11] Its neighbours filed an injunction at the High Court against the club, due to the loutish behaviour and noise emanating from the Pelican in the early hours.

"[13] In search of a new premises, Bettinson and Fleming found and purchased a once-popular evening restaurant and concert room, the Old Falstaff Club, which had gone into liquidation.

[19][20] Primarily due to boxing's dubious legal status at that time the NSC was a private members club, an arrangement tolerated by the courts.

[21] A strict code of conduct was expected of the club's patrons, such as a formal dress charter, silence and a no-smoking policy at ring side during bouts.

This included a maximum of 20 three-minute rounds, with one minute's rest in-between; 4-ounce (110 g) padded gloves were worn and a rudimentary points system was introduced.

Following deaths in the ring, the Old Bailey was the venue for four legal battles from 1897 to 1901 between the state and the growing professional boxing establishment, of which Bettinson and the NSC was at the centre.

[27] The inquest found that during the match the deceased fell and struck his head, and the medical testimony was to the effect that death was due to a fracture of the skull.

Bettinson, Smith and all others directly involved with the fight were charged at Bow Street Police Court for "being concerned in the manslaughter of Tom Turner".

This was despite the coroners jury ruling there was no case to answer, as the autopsy revealed that Turner had a "small heart" and the cause of death was a blood clot to the brain.

The recorder, Sir Charles Hall, addressed the grand jury, saying it was peculiar that this case was brought to trial due to no evidence of wrongdoing being present.

In January 1900 Mike Riley of Glasgow was unable to leave his corner when time was called for the 10th round and took a knee, so the referee ended the fight and Mathew Precious of Birmingham was declared winner.

The coroner's jury heard evidence from Bettinson, including the fact that both boxers were examined by an NSC physician on the day of the bout, and passed a verdict of accidental death.

During the trial at the Old Bailey in May, the prosecution changed tactics from the previous court cases by laying blame of the death on the sport of boxing rather than the actions of the individuals.

Before the bout took place, both boxers and the promoter of the event, Gerald Austin, were summoned to the Birmingham Court, accused of arranging and attempting to participate in a prize fight.

In an interview with Sporting Life, 22 January 1909, Bettinson is quoted as saying "The question of uniformity of weight is most desirable" and that "I agree that the vast number of boxers makes it necessary that a couple of extra classes are added to the present six".

[44] On 11 February 1909 the NSC Committee, headed by Bettinson, voted to adopt eight classes with standardised weights for British boxing championships and thereafter began to reach agreement with other international bodies.

The main rules were: The first recipient of this belt was Freddie Welsh, who defeated Johnny Summers for the NSC British Lightweight title on 8 November 1909.

[49] Even though the NSC was still a private gentleman's club, Bettinson's committee now had the exclusive rights to sanction British title fights.

Arrangements would be made by Bettinson and his club for training space, ensuring that the boxer was in prime condition for his fight against a suitably matched opponent.

The first tourney was held at the Alhambra Hall in 1908, as the NSC was not large enough to hold the spectacle, which was billed as "The World's Catch Can Championships" by Sporting Life.

[57][58] Bettinson's NSC Committee actively encouraged the British Armed Forces to participate in the sport of boxing, especially during World War I.

[61] Many of the era's top British boxers, most of whom were nurtured by Bettinson's NSC, enlisted either for active service or to act as physical training instructors for their adopted regiments.

[62][63] In 1916 the NSC Committee started to fund and donate ambulance cars to the British Red Cross and the Allies in order to aid the war effort.