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
Spring, “I’ll take it off;” which he did immediately. Josh. Hudson and
Tom Reynolds were the seconds for Langan, and the Irish Champion
declared he was ready to go to work. The colours were tied to the
stakes; and, singular to state, black for Langan, which he took off his
neck and blue for Spring. “This is new,” said Josh.; “but nevertheless,
the emblem is correct as to milling (laughing); it is black and blue;
I’ll take one hundred to one, we shall see those colours upon their mugs
before it is over.” The time was kept by Lord Deerhurst, afterwards Earl
of Harrington, who was also Spring’s umpire, while Sir Harry Goodricke
was umpire for Langan; Colonel Berkeley acted as referee. Five to two,
and three to one on Spring.
THE FIGHT.
Round 1.—On stripping, the bust of Langan was much admired for its
anatomical beauty; his arms also were peculiarly fine and athletic;
and his nob looked like a fighting one. His legs were thin; his
knees very small, and his loins deficient as to strength. It was
evident he had been reduced too much in training. Langan did not
exceed twelve stone four pounds, and was nearly two inches shorter
than his opponent. Spring was in fine condition; cool and confident,
and a stone heavier than his adversary. On placing themselves in
attitude, the advantages were manifest on the side of the English
Champion. The combatants kept at a respectful distance from each
other; both on the look-out for an opening. Spring at length made a
hit, which Langan stopped with skill. The Champion slowly advanced,
and Langan kept retreating, till he was near the stake at the corner
of the ring. At this instant the position of Langan was not only
fine but formidable, and Spring did not view it with contempt. The
latter let fly right and left, and Langan’s left ogle received a
slight touch. Spring got away from a heavy body blow. A pause. An
exchange of blows, but no mischief done; Langan broke ground well.
Another pause. Langan again in the corner, smiling, in a position
armed at all points; Spring’s eye measuring his opponent, but
hesitating to go in. Langan endeavoured to plant a body blow with
his left hand, when Spring jumped away as light as a cork. Here
Langan put his thumb to his nose, by way of derision. The latter
stopped Langan’s left hand. “Fight away, Jack,” said Josh. Hudson,
“he can’t hurt nobody.” Some blows were exchanged sharply, when the
John Bull fighter, and Tom Reynolds, exclaimed, “First blood!” “No,”
replied Spring. “Yes,” urged Hudson, “it is on your lip.” A long
pause. Langan made a good stop with his right hand. Some hits passed
between the combatants, when they closed, and a severe struggle
ensued to obtain the throw; both down, but Langan uppermost. This
round occupied nine minutes. “This battle will not be over in half
an hour,” said a good judge.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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