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
Abbot fought Pitman for £5 a-side and a small purse, on Wimbledon
Common, immediately after Brown and Curtis had left the ring, on Monday,
August 28, 1820. The former was seconded by Randall and Callus, and the
latter by Bill Cropley and Joe Norton. This was a hammering fight for
thirty minutes, occupying twenty-seven rounds. Pitman was a game man,
and reminded the spectators of Pearce, denominated the Game Chicken, but
it was only in appearance. Pitman was beat to a stand-still. Abbot
retired from the contest with a slight scratch under his left eye, but
received some ugly thumps upon his head.
We now come to Abbot’s most remarkable ring exploit. A dispute with Tom
Oliver led to a hasty match, in which ten guineas a-side were posted;
but it was thought absurd, and a forfeit on the part of Abbot fully
expected. But time rolled on and the day fixed, Tuesday, November 6,
1821, came, with both men in the same mind; and the fancy received the
intimation that Moulsey was the chosen _champ clos_. At one o’clock,
Oliver, attended by Ben Burn and Bill Gibbons, threw in his hat; and
shortly afterwards, Abbot, attended by Scroggins and Tom Jones, answered
the signal of defiance. Seven to four, two to one, and in some instances
three to one on Oliver were called out, without takers. The colours—dark
blue for Oliver, light blue for Abbot—were tied to the stake, and the
men stood up.
THE FIGHT.
Round 1.—On shaking hands it was expected that Oliver would
immediately go to work and spoil his opponent; but, instead of that,
Oliver thought he had a mere plaything in opposition to him, and did
nothing. Some attempts at hitting were made on both sides, but
without effect, when Abbot ran in and Oliver held him in his arms
and got him down. (Shouting for joy, and Oliver for any odds.)
2.—Abbot trembled very much on placing himself in attitude at the
scratch. Oliver planted a slight nobber and got away. A pause. Abbot
received another small taste, when he rushed in and pulled Tom down.
(Shouting and laughing, “It can’t last long.”)
3.—Abbot still shaking, yet he tried to plant his right on Oliver’s
nob, but the latter got away. Oliver hit short. In closing, Abbot
hung on the ropes; but Oliver seemed wanting in strength to do
execution. Abbot at length broke away and showed fight, till they
both went down, Oliver uppermost. (Six to one, but no takers.
“Oliver can’t lose it,” was the general expression round the ring.)
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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