Pugilistica: The History of British Boxing, Volume 1 (of 3): Containing Lives of the Most Celebrated Pugilists; Full Reports of Their Battles from Contemporary Newspapers, With Authentic Portraits, Personal Anecdotes, and Sketches of the Principal Patrons of the Prize Ring, Forming a Complete History of the Ring from Fig and Broughton, 1719-40, to the Last Championship Battle Between King and Heenan, in December 1863Miles, Henry Downes
History
Pugilistica: The History of British Boxing, Volume 1 (of 3): Containing Lives of the Most Celebrated Pugilists; Full Reports of Their Battles from Contemporary Newspapers, With Authentic Portraits, Personal Anecdotes, and Sketches of the Principal Patrons of the Prize Ring, Forming a Complete History of the Ring from Fig and Broughton, 1719-40, to the Last Championship Battle Between King and Heenan, in December 1863
Miles, Henry Downes
Boxing
At the conclusion of this round, although they
had only fought thirteen minutes, Stanyard gave
in. His appearance was in his favour, but no one
had any idea of the injury he had sustained.
He was immediately conveyed to Colnbrook, and
medical assistance procured, when it was found
his jawbone was fractured near the articulation.
Warr was in prime condition, and never displayed
greater skill and courage. He challenged Tom
Johnson to fight for a guinea; an empty boast,
as we have elsewhere observed.
Will Warr, miscalculating his skill, sought another trial with the
accomplished Mendoza, who disposed of him in fifteen minutes (see
MENDOZA). Warr became a publican at the One Tun, Jermyn Street, in after
life, and seconded Jem Belcher, Tom Belcher, Henry Pearce (the Game
Chicken), Mendoza, Tom Cribb, and others in important battles. In
December, 1808, we find a benefit advertised at the Fives Court, for
Warr, at which John Gully, Tom Cribb, Dutch Sam, Dogherty, Tom Belcher,
and Richmond, set-to for the veteran. Warr died in March, 1809, and was
buried in St. James’s burial ground, St. Pancras.
WILL WOOD, THE COACHMAN—1788‒1804.
Bill Wood, although his defeats were preponderant, deserves honourable
mention at the hands of the historian of pugilism as one of the bravest
and hardiest of boxers. His opponents were the very best men of their
day. Bill Warr, George the brewer, whom he beat, Hooper the tinman, Jack
Bartholomew (beat), and Isaac Bittoon, were his antagonists. Wood was a
fine straight-limbed man of five feet eleven inches in height, and
twelve stone in weight. He fought well with both hands, and possessed
unquestionable courage. His style was impetuous, and his attack
formidable to all but the most skilful of defensive boxers.
Wood’s _coup d’essai_ was at Navestock, Essex, as “Captain Robinson’s
coachman,” on the last day of the year 1788. Although looked upon as a
novice in the art pugilistic, he tried all the skill of Bill Warr before
he surrendered. (See Life of WARR, APPENDIX, p. 120).
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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