James Leak was a bare-knuckle prize fighter who was born in the county of Norfolk in the United Kingdom. James Leak was a resident of East Runton, Norfolk around the early part of the 19th century. Leak was the local blacksmith and renowned bare-knuckle prize fighter. He lived in one of six thatched cottage that once stood on the cliff top near Runton gap. His blacksmith’s forge was at West Runton.