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
REMARKS.—It is but common justice to Spring to assert, that he won
this battle three times before it was over. It is true that he had
no right to give a chance away, either against himself or his
backers; but he plainly saw that the battle was his own; he fought
without grumbling, and in acting so honourably, nay, generously, to
a fine, high-couraged, game opponent, that Oliver should not have to
say, “that he had not every opportunity to win, if he could.” What
was more important, however, it prevented any thing like a wrangle
being attempted. Spring, by his superior mode of fighting this day,
raised himself highly in the estimation of the Fancy in general; in
fact, the ring was much surprised that Oliver could do nothing with
him. The prejudice which so long remained against Spring in respect
to his not being a hard hitter, was removed in this battle. Oliver
was most terribly punished; while Spring, on the contrary, had not
the slightest mark on his face. The bravery of Oliver, and his
exertions to win, were above all praise. Spring, in the style of a
true Briton, “when the battle is ended, the heart of a lamb,” called
to see Oliver, on the Friday after the fight, when they shook hands
with each other in the same style of friendship as heretofore.
Oliver then told Spring that he had entertained an opinion, before
the fight, he was the stronger man; but that Spring was too long for
him.
On Tom Cribb’s retirement from the arena, Spring considered himself
champion; and soon after his conquest over Oliver, in order that it
might not afterwards be brought against him that he had left the prize
ring silently, he offered, by public advertisement, March 25, 1821, a
challenge to all England for three months. This challenge not having
been accepted, although he offered to fight Neat for £500 a-side, on
August 19, nearly five months after the period stated, he entered into
articles of agreement of a more tender kind, and made a match “for
better or for worse.” We wish that our personal reminiscences did not
unpleasantly remind us that, as regards the lady she was all “worse,”
and never showed signs of “better.” He then commenced proprietor of the
Weymouth Arms Tavern, in Weymouth Street, Portman Square. Spring’s
opening dinner took place on Thursday, the 6th of December, 1821. The
swells mustered numerously round Mr. Jackson, who presided upon this
occasion; and 140 persons sat down to a prime dinner, served up, in
excellent style, by Spring in person. The evening was dedicated to
harmony and good-fellowship.
After the sport at Moulsey, on Wednesday, June 12th, 1822, the great
match was made between Spring and Neat, subject to the following
articles:
“_Red Lion, Hampton, June 12, 1822._
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