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
with great pleasure, and the forty feet ring was soon completed.
“About three o’clock a torrent of rain poured down, and every one began
to be anxious for the fight; very shortly after Gregson, Gully, Mendoza,
Harry Lee, Joe Ward, Hen. Pearce, Cribb, Horton, Dutch Sam, Cropley,
Gibbons, Richmond, and several other pugilists and amateurs, entered the
ring. It is impossible to describe the pleasure that beamed in the eyes
of every spectator at this moment, and the welkin echoed their repeated
plaudits.
“Cribb and Horton, who, according to their articles, were to fight in
the same ring as Gully and Gregson, directly stripped and set-to, both
in excellent spirits. Odds four to five on Cribb who very easily gained
the conquest.
“Immediately on the conclusion of this combat the champions stripped.
Both fought in silk stockings without shoes, and white breeches. Harry
Lee seconded Gregson, and Joe Word, Gully. Captain Barclay was appointed
deciding umpire. After the usual etiquette they set-to.”
THE FIGHT.[99]
Round 1.—The combatants both sparred about a
minute; the utmost silence prevailing in every
part of the ring, and every one had his eye
fixed stedfastly on the contending champions.
Here Gully displayed one of the most signal
specimens of the art of boxing that perhaps ever
was witnessed, by putting in two most dexterous
hits through his opponent’s guard, at the same
moment, in the mouth and throat. Gregson fell
like a log, and was instantly covered with
blood. The greatest commotion was now excited,
and peal succeeded peal of applause. (The odds
rose six to four on Gully.)
2.—Gregson ineffectually aimed a hit at his
opponent’s head, who shifted, and pointed at
him. Gully now commenced a rally, and some blows
were exchanged to his advantage. Gregson turned
round and put in a back-handed blow in the
loins; both fell.
3.—Gregson successfully planted a right-handed
hit in Gully’s breast, and rallied; but Gully
had the advantage of putting in most blows,
although Gregson threw him. Gregson’s head had
now began to swell, and he continued to bleed
freely. (Odds two to one on Gully.)
4.—Gully made play, and after planting two good
hits on his adversary’s head, slipped up.
5.—Gregson made a determined hit, which Gully
scientifically parried, upon which he ran in,
grasped Gully by the thighs, held him in his
arms, and threw him down. Great disapprobation.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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