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
34.—This was the last round, and it
unfortunately created a dispute. Belcher made a
blow at Sam, and fell on his knees; Sam made a
hit, intending to strike his adversary while on
his legs and before his hands reached the earth;
Sam’s blow reached him while on his knees. A cry
of “Foul” was immediately raised, particularly
by those on the wrong side with their bets, and
the matter was referred to the two umpires. One
of these declared it “fair,” the other “foul.”
Mr. Jackson now stepped forward and explained
that a man was not to be considered down until
his hand had reached the floor, consequently the
blow was fair, and Sam must be acknowledged the
conqueror. “Notwithstanding this flowing
declaration of Jackson’s,” says the reporter,
“the umpires, Captain Barclay and the Hon.
Berkeley Craven, agreed to refer the matter to
Lord Say and Sele. His lordship declined giving
a decision, when Lord Archibald Hamilton was
immediately solicited, and he undertook the
office of judge of appeal. Many meetings of the
amateurs took place, and the subject of this
foul play was warmly discussed. The rules of
Broughton and all the first rate authorities
were adduced, but the only case considered as in
point throughout the annals of pugilism, was
that of Humphries and Mendoza, in the battle
they fought at Stilton, in May, 1789 (see p.
73); but from the irritability of Mendoza, the
battle in that case was renewed. An offer was
now made to Sam to draw stakes, but this was
refused, on the plea that, if even Belcher was
on his knees, he was doing his best still on the
defensive. At length it was agreed on all sides
that there should be a new trial.”
The third meeting accordingly was arranged for the 21st August, 1807.
The men met at Lowfield Common, near Crawley, Sussex, in a thirty feet
ring upon the turf. In the articles it was specified that the following
article of Broughton’s rules should be decisive:—
“7.—That no person is to hit his adversary when down, or seize him
by the ham, the breeches, or any part below the waist: a man on his
knees to be reckoned down.”
Sam was seconded by Mendoza, and Bittoon was his bottle-holder. Tom
Belcher was attended by Gully and Ward.
THE FIGHT.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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