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
10.—In this round Cooper was hit down, exhausted, and picked up
nearly senseless. (“It’s all up,” was the cry; in fact, numbers left
their places, thinking it impossible for Cooper again to meet his
antagonist.)
11.—In the anxiety of the moment several of the spectators thought
the time very long before it was called, and, to their great
astonishment, Cooper was again brought to the scratch. He showed
fight till he was sent down. (“Bravo, Cooper! you are a game fellow
indeed.”)
12.—This was a complete ruffian round on both sides. The Gas Man’s
nob was a picture of punishment. Cooper astonished the ring from the
gameness he displayed, and the manly way in which he stood up to his
adversary, giving hit for hit till both went down.
13.—It was evident that Cooper had never recovered from the severity
of the blow he had received on the tip of his nose in the first
round. “It’s all up,” was the cry; but Cooper fought in the most
courageous style till he went down.
14.—Cooper, although weak, was still a troublesome customer. He
fought with his adversary, giving hit for hit, till he was down.
15.—This round was so well contested as to claim admiration from all
parts of the ring, and “Well done on both sides,” was loudly
vociferated. Cooper was distressed beyond measure; he, nevertheless,
opposed Hickman with blow for blow till he fell.
16 and last.—Without something like a miracle it was impossible for
Cooper to win. He, however, manfully contended for victory, making
exchanges, till both the combatants went down. When time was called,
Hickman appeared at the scratch, but Cooper was too exhausted to
leave his second’s knee, and Hickman was proclaimed the conqueror,
amidst the shouts of his friends. The battle was over in the short
space of fourteen minutes and a half.
REMARKS.—The courage exhibited by Cooper was equal to anything ever
witnessed, but he was so ill before he left the ring that some fears
were entertained for his safety. After the astonishment had subsided
a little, the question round the ring was, “Who on the present list
can beat Hickman?” The courage and confidence of Hickman seemed so
indomitable that he entered the ring certain of victory. Both
combatants were terribly punished, and Cooper showed himself as game
a man as ever pulled off a shirt. The Gas Man, it was observed, used
his right hand only.
In consequence of Hickman being informed that Cooper wished for another
battle, he put forth the following challenge in the _Weekly Dispatch_,
October 8, 1820.
“_To George Cooper, Britannia Tavern, Edinburgh._
“SIR,—
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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