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
28.—Oliver, game to the last, and more than anxious that his backers
should not find fault with him, contended for victory as if the fate
of an empire hung upon the event. The stunning blows he had received
had put aside all his science, and he now incautiously followed his
opponent, who, with his right hand, gave Oliver the _coup de grace_,
which took him off his legs in a singular manner: he fell flat on
his back as senseless as a log of wood. “Time” was called, but the
brave Oliver heard not the sound. One hour and thirty-one seconds
had elapsed.
REMARKS.—Neat, notwithstanding the decisive victory he obtained over
Oliver, appeared little more than a novice in scientific boxing. It
is true, he might be improved under the tuition of skilful and
accomplished boxers, for he possesses a requisite above all that
teaching can achieve, namely, “one hit with his right hand, given in
proper distance, can gain a victory, and three of them are
positively enough to dispose of a giant.” Neat hits from the
shoulder with an astonishing and peculiar force; and, in one
instance, the arm of Oliver received so paralyzing a shock in
stopping the blow, that it appeared almost useless. The admirers of
fine fighting are decidedly of opinion that Neat has no such
pretensions; but as a hard hitter (of steam-engine power), it is
asserted there is nothing like him on the present list. He fought
very awkwardly; and had he used his right hand to advantage in the
early part of the fight, in all probability it must have been over
in a few rounds; but it should be recollected it was his first
appearance in the London ring. One word for the brave but fallen
Oliver before these remarks are closed. He fought like a hero; and
the courage of human nature was never witnessed in a higher point of
view than exhibited by him in this contest. The battle was never
safe to him, notwithstanding his exertions were more scientific than
in any of his previous fights. It was also far from being safe to
Neat till the twenty-fifth round. The latter was in bad condition,
while Oliver could not be finer; but a chance blow from Neat can
floor one hundred to one in a twinkling, although he is a round
hitter.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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