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
“At a sparring match, for the benefit of Gregson, on Thursday, the
1st day of April, Donnelly, having met with an accident, hopes the
public will pardon him if he did not amuse the gentlemen present to
their satisfaction; but it was his wish to do so. After the set-to
between Harmer and Sutton, the latter thought proper to come forward
and challenge any man, and also Donnelly in particular, for £50 or
£100. Donnelly, being somewhat a stranger, did not immediately
answer the challenge, until he should first consult his friends; but
he has confidence in his friends, both here and in Ireland, that
they will back him. He therefore begs leave to say that he did not
come over to England for the mere purpose of fighting; but, as it
appears to be the wish of the gentlemen here to try his mettle, he
begs to say that he will fight any man in England of his weight,
from £100 to £500.
“D. DONNELLY.
“Witness, C. BRENANT.”
On the 6th of April, 1819, at Randall’s benefit at the Fives Court,
Donnelly had scarcely mounted the stage, when “Cribb! Cribb! Cribb!” was
vociferated from all parts of the Court, till Carter made his appearance
on the platform ready to commence the combat. The cries of “Cribb!” were
now louder, added to hisses, etc., when the Lancashire hero bowed and
retired. The Champion of England, however, did not appear; then Carter
was called, but he had also left the Court. In the midst of this
confusion Harmer offered himself amidst thunders of applause, and
appeared to have the best of it; but the set-to was by no means first
rate, and Donnelly left off under marks of pain. It ought to have been
announced that Donnelly had a large tumour upon his right arm near his
elbow. The usage to Donnelly might be termed ungenerous; indeed, it was
very unlike the usual generosity of John Bull towards a stranger, and
savoured of prejudice, says his countryman, Pierce Egan.
As all this savours of benefit “gag,” we are glad to record that at
Martin’s benefit, on Tuesday, April 20, 1819, Oliver challenged Donnelly
for 100 guineas a-side, when Randall (Donnelly not being present)
mounted the stage, and said he was authorized to accept it on the part
of the Irish champion, who would enter the lists with Oliver on that day
six weeks for any sum that might be posted.
On May 25, 1819, Donnelly, Cooper, and Carter opened the Minor Theatre,
Catherine Street, to exhibit the capabilities of the Irish champion
previous to his going into training.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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