Pugilistica: The History of British Boxing, Volume 2 (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, 1719-1740, to the Last Championship Battle Between King and Heenan, in December 1863Miles, Henry Downes
History
Pugilistica: The History of British Boxing, Volume 2 (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, 1719-1740, to the Last Championship Battle Between King and Heenan, in December 1863
Miles, Henry Downes
Boxing
13.—The Black was nothing else but a “good one,” or he never could
have met his man again. In fact he appeared stupid as to scientific
movements, but, nevertheless, rushed at his opponent pell mell.
Painter, quite collected, stopped the desperation of the Black with
the utmost ease, and nobbed him at will. Painter received a chance
hit upon his cheek, but in return he floored Sutton. The Black was
now so dead beat that he resigned the contest in a whisper to his
seconds. He was requested to try two rounds more, which he gamely
did, but it was only to add to his punishment. At the end of the
fifteenth round he could scarcely articulate in reply to Belcher,
who had crossed the ring, “he would fight no more.”
REMARKS.—One hour and forty-two minutes had elapsed, and a braver or
a more manly battle does not stand recorded in the annals of
pugilism. Sutton weighed thirteen stone nine pounds, being two
pounds heavier than his opponent; he was also about three inches
taller; his arms too were considerably longer than Painter’s.
Several of the spectators were so pleased with the manliness
displayed by the combatants, that, in the impulse of the moment,
they drew Painter and his seconds off the ground in their
post-chaises into the town of Bungay, where females were seen waving
their handkerchiefs from the windows as he passed through the
streets to the inn. From the superior style with which this victory
was gained Painter raised himself high in the opinion of the
sporting world. True, that to good condition and active and careful
training, he was much indebted for conquest, opposed to a man of
almost Herculean strength and pluck. His first battle lost with
Sutton proceeded greatly from a deficiency of tone in the system,
but he was now able to face his man for an hour and forty-two
minutes without difficulty; whereas, in his former contest with this
sombre hero his distress was so great that he could not lift up his
hands. At Bungay he came into the ring so confident in mind and firm
in his person that he took the fight out of Sutton at an early part
of the battle. It was good training that enabled him to do this.
Painter, it was remarked, could have fought much longer had it
proved necessary. The advantages of a scientific second were
manifest throughout the fight, from the improved system of tactics
pursued by Painter upon this occasion. “Gladiator in arena capit
consilium,” was said two thousand years ago, and Tom Belcher being
at Painter’s elbow, the defensive plan was acted upon with judgment
and success; indeed, according to the expressed opinion of many of
the best informed, the prompt advice and superior skill of Belcher
tended in an eminent degree, in addition to the tractability of
disposition and courage of Painter, to ensure victory. Comparison
proves the fact. The latter, in his second contest, hit and got
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