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
Carter had not fought since his battle with Spring, in 1819, and, at the
time of his present match, was thirty-eight years of age. In this
respect of course Ward had an immense advantage, his years only
numbering twenty-seven. In height and weight Carter had the advantage,
in the proportions of five feet eleven inches, and thirteen stone six
pounds, against five feet nine inches and a half, and twelve stone seven
pounds. In science Ward was known to be A1, and of course the odds in
his favour were very considerable. The fight took place on Shepperton
Range, on the 27th of May, 1828, in the presence of a large muster of
the fancy. Ward was seconded by Phil. Sampson and Dick Curtis, and
Carter by Tom Oliver and Young Dutch Sam. On stripping, Ward was in fine
condition. Carter also was in robust health, but his corporation partook
a little too much of civic importance.
THE FIGHT.
Round 1.—Both men looked “unutterable things,” and each approached
the other as if perfectly conscious he had his work to do. Ward
worked his guard, and poised himself on his toes in his customary
form, ready to let fly as an opportunity might offer. Carter stood
erect, hands back on his breast, rather on the defensive than
otherwise. Some time elapsed in mutual caution, Carter getting away,
and keeping out of distance. At last, after nearly four minutes had
elapsed, Carter threw out his left, but Ward was awake and stopped
him. The blow was too short for effect. Twice did Carter try the
same manœuvre, with as little success. Ward now crept in, and caught
Carter with his right on the side of the head. Another little pause,
when Ward again got in, and hit left and right. Carter now fought to
a rally, but hit wildly, while Ward showed great quickness and tact
in in-fighting, planting a heavy blow on Carter’s mouth with his
left. Carter returned slightly on Ward’s cheek with his left, and in
the close was thrown.
2.—More caution on the part of Carter, while Ward worked his left
for a shy. Carter hit out with his left, but it was short, and
stopped, as was another trial of the same sort. Ward now got within
distance, planted his one, two, and three, and catching Carter round
the neck with his left, hit up with fearful precision, gave him
another deep cut on the lip, and floored him. (Five to one on Ward.)
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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