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
Shelton, who had risen high in the opinion of his friends, from his
conquest of Big Bob Burn, was soon matched against Oliver for 100
guineas a-side, and the battle came off at Sawbridgeworth, Herts.,
twenty-seven miles from London, on Thursday, January 13, 1820. Shelton
was the favourite, partly owing to Oliver’s recent defeat. At a few
minutes before one o’clock Oliver threw his hat into the ring (which was
swept, and strewed with sawdust), and was soon followed by Shelton. The
look of Oliver was firm and collected, and smiling confidence sat on his
brow. He fought under the “yellowman,” _à la_ Belcher, and was going to
tie his colours himself to the stakes, but Randall took them out of his
hand, and placed them on the ropes. After some little time Spring
covered Oliver’s colours with the blue handkerchief. The time was
announced for the men to strip, notwithstanding a heavy fall of snow.
Randall and Tom Callas waited upon Oliver, and Spring and Turner
seconded Shelton. The latter had his right wrist tied with a small piece
of his colours, part of a blue handkerchief. This was done in order to
give a security to his wrist, which had received a severe injury from a
cut with a glass rummer about eight months previous to the fight. In
tossing for the choice of side, Oliver was the winner. The men then
shook hands and set-to for
THE FIGHT.
Round 1.—Shelton, being the best two-handed fighter on the list, and
the hardest hitter, it was expected that he would go to work
immediately; but there was a drawback to his efforts in Oliver’s
attitude and guard, and great caution was the prominent feature; he,
however, made two feints, but Oliver stopped him. Shelton made
another attempt without effect, as Oliver got away. Sparring with
great caution. Some exchange of blows now occurred, and a trifling
rally. Counter hits, which operated upon both their mugs, and a
tinge of claret was seen upon the mouth of Oliver, when Shelton
observed, “First blood, Tom.” Oliver, in great style, stopped right
and left the hits of Shelton, and returned a severe body blow.
Shelton showed also some science in stopping, but Oliver planted two
severe facers right and left. Some exchanges took place, and in a
sort of close both men went down, Shelton undermost. The round
occupied seven minutes. (Loud shouting in favour of Oliver.)
2.—Oliver put in a severe facer without any return. Shelton seemed
rather confused at the superior tactics displayed by his opponent,
and absolutely stood still from the severity of a blow he received
on his ribs. He, however, recovered from his stupor, and with more
fury than science attacked Oliver till the latter went down. (“Well
done, Shelton! Bravo!”)
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account