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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

Name: 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
Author: Miles, Henry Downes

Miles, Henry Downes

Boxing

At Shelton’s benefit, May 22nd, 1823, after several spirited bouts,
Spring was loudly called for; he addressed the assemblage in the
following terms:—“Gentlemen, I return you my sincere thanks for the
honour you have done me to-day, and I hope my future conduct will
equally merit your kind attention. I promised to set-to with Shelton;
but having met with an accident (his hand was tied up with a
handkerchief), I trust you will excuse me; at all other times, you will
find me willing and ready to obey your commands.” Shelton returned
thanks; and Belcher likewise informed the audience that his benefit took
place on Tuesday, May 27, when Neat would be present, in order to
convince the amateurs that his arm was broken in the fight with Spring.
The latter received from Mr. Jackson the £200 of the battle-money as the
reward of victory. Mr. Jackson also publicly declared, for the
satisfaction of the sporting world, that, in company with two eminent
surgeons, he had seen Neat; and those two gentlemen had pronounced the
small bone of his arm to have been broken.

Spring now paid a visit to his native place. Fortune had favoured him,
and he was not unmindful of old friends. Here he was also not only
remembered, but respected; and a cup, made by Messrs. Grayhurst and
Harvey, of the Strand, was presented to him. This cup, known as “the
Hereford Cup.” The inscription and description are as follows:—

                                 “1823.
                           TO THOMAS WINTER,
                Of Fownhope, in the County of Hereford,
                        This Cup was presented,
                By his Countrymen of the Land of Cider,
         In Token of their Esteem for the Manliness and Science
         Which, in many severe Contests in the Pugilistic Ring,
                           Under the name of
                                SPRING,
                 Raised him to the proud Distinction of
                       THE CHAMPION OF ENGLAND.”

The inscription is surrounded by a handsome device of apples, etc., at
the bottom of which is the representation of two game-cocks at the close
of a battle, one standing over the other. On the other side of the cup
is a view of the P.R., with two pugilists in attitudes. Upon the top or
lid of the cup is a cider-barrel placed on a stand. The inside is gilt;
and it is large enough to hold a gallon of “nectar divine.” It has two
elegantly chased handles, and a fluted pedestal.

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