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
Round 1.—The odds being so decidedly against Carter, the greatest
anxiety was manifested by the spectators upon their setting-to, and
the combatants seemed equally alive to the importance of obtaining
the first advantage, by their deliberate mode of attack. Oliver
endeavoured to plant a tremendous blow with his right hand, which
Carter stopped in a scientific style, and returned a severe
left-handed hit on the right eye of Oliver, that produced the claret
in a twinkling. A good rally took place. Carter closed upon his
adversary, fibbed him terribly, and ultimately threw him. Oliver
bled profusely from his temple and his nose. It is impossible to
describe the shouts of the populace upon Carter’s obtaining this
superiority. It was like a salute of artillery. (The odds had
completely vanished, and even betting was now the true feature of
the ring.)
2.—This burst of applause seemed to operate much upon the feelings
of Oliver, and he determined if possible to get the turn in his
favour by going furiously to work. Carter, partial to the left hand
mode, aimed at his opponent’s nob, which Oliver prevented, and
fought his way into a rally. Considerable hammering took place, and
Carter got his man on the ropes. Here the truth began to be told to
the sceptics: the superiority of strength most completely manifested
itself upon the side of Carter, who again threw his opponent. (Great
shouting. It was all up with any more offering of three to one.)
3.—Oliver gave Carter a severe blow on the head, but the latter
would not be stopped, and again bored his man to the ropes, punished
him dreadfully, and brought him down, Oliver bleeding copiously.
4.—Oliver was now convinced that he had formed an erroneous opinion
of the boxing powers of his antagonist. Carter turned out a better
man in every point of view than he had expected, and was not to be
disposed of in that easy manner which he had flattered himself must
be the case, and in which his friends had so fatally confirmed the
error. Several heavy blows passed between them, but to the advantage
of Carter. The latter received a severe facer; but, notwithstanding,
he drove his man to the ropes, and, in closing, both went down. The
head of Oliver was much punished, and his back excoriated by Carter
hugging him on the ropes. (Six to four upon Carter generally, and
more in many places. It was at the close of this round that Carter
first showed blood.)
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