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
Sam’s irregularity of living, and what he called his “gin training,”
began now to tell upon his wonderful constitution; and though his name
is of continual recurrence in affairs of the ring during two years, it
is not until a quarrel again brought him within the ropes in May, 1810,
that Sam publicly doffed his shirt. A series of bickerings and slight
disputes had led to an ill feeling between Sam and a tradesman of the
name of Medley, for many years after known in sporting circles. These at
last came to a crisis in a challenge from Medley, to fight for 200
guineas, Medley putting down his own money. The affair created immense
excitement at the time. The _Daily Advertiser_ thus notices Sam’s
opponent: “Ben Medley, as he is called by his intimates, is a muscular
man, some twenty pounds heavier than Samuels (Elias). He has never
before entered the ring for a stake, but fame records great things of
him in resenting a personal injury, and as a setter-to with the gloves
his excellence is well known at the Fives Court. Sam has regarded this
fame so much, that, to avoid risking a chance, he preferred to forfeit
some time ago, because he did not think himself in good condition at the
appointed time.”
Famed Moulsey Hurst, on the 31st May, 1810, was crowded to excess, and
it was with great difficulty that the ring could be kept clear. At one
o’clock the champions entered, Sam waited on by Harry Lee and Puss; Joe
Ward and Tom Cribb seconded Medley. They were not long in stripping. The
betting varied, but the current price was two to one on Sam.
THE FIGHT.
Round 1.—After a little sparring Sam put in a
left-handed hit, which Medley stopped cleverly;
they closed, but disengaged themselves. Medley
stopped Sam’s left again, closed, and threw his
opponent.
2.—Medley led off. They closed and broke away.
Sam got in a left-hander on the ribs, and
following it up, forced a rally, in which he
caught Medley a tremendous blow on the temple.
Medley fought hurriedly, and slipt down.
3.—Medley appeared quite confused from the
violence of the blow on his temple. It evidently
had taken much of the fight out of him. He,
however, stood up with courage, and rallied. Sam
stopped with great dexterity, and by a well
planted hit under the chin, knocked Medley off
his legs. (Odds four to one on Sam.)
4.—Medley rallied, but Sam brought him down by a
body blow.
5.—Medley struck; Sam parried, and threw in
right and left; both hits told. They closed, and
Sam threw Medley by dint of superior strength.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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