Thomas Molineaux (March 23, 1784 – August 4, 1818), sometimes spelled Molyneaux or Molyneux, was an American bare-knuckle boxer and possibly a former slave.

His two fights against Tom Cribb, widely viewed as the Champion of England, brought Molineaux fame even though he lost both contests.

[5] After obtaining his freedom, Molineaux was reported to have moved to New York,[2] where he was said to have been involved in "several battles" and had claimed the title "Champion of America".

[6] Molineaux won the fight, beating Jack Burrows of Bristol in front of a small crowd in 65 minutes.

[2] The fight took place at Epple Bay near Margate on August 21, 1810, the American ending up victorious after eight rounds[4] when Molineaux knocked out Blake.

[6] On December 3, 1810, having been trained by Bill Richmond, Molineaux fought Tom Cribb at Shenington Hollow in Oxfordshire[8] for the English title.

According to the journalist and sportswriter Pierce Egan, who was present, Molineaux stood at five foot eight and a quarter inches tall and, for this fight, weighed "fourteen stone two" (198 pounds (90 kg)).

There was a disturbance in the 19th round as Molineaux and Cribb were locked in a wrestler's hold (legal under the rules of the time) so that neither could hit the other nor escape.

Two days after the fight, Richmond took Molineaux to the Stock Exchange in London, where the boxer received an ovation and was presented with 45 guineas.

A return fight with Tom Cribb took place on September 28, 1811, at Thistleton Gap in Rutland and was watched by 15,000 people.

[7][11] After four rounds of fighting the match was interrupted when the "sheriff of Renfrewshire, attended by constables, entered the ring, and put a stop to it".

[15] In 2019, Katie Taylor unveiled a headstone over his previously unmarked grave in St James' graveyard in Galway.