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 — John Shaqi
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
In London, as soon as it was generally known that Chichester was the
centre of attraction, there was a simultaneous move to secure places in
the coaches going either to that city, or to Brighton or Portsmouth.
Many persons, unable to obtain places, and equally unable to afford
posters, had to betake themselves to their ten toes, so determined were
they not to miss the treat. As the evening advanced, the curiosity of
the Chichester folks was more or less gratified by the arrival of Cribb,
Oliver, Jack Martin, Dick Curtis, Ben Burn, Randall, Painter, Jack
Scroggins, and a long list of pugilists of note. Post-chaises and
carriages and four poured rapidly into the town: every inn was soon
crowded to an overflow, and soon every corner was filled. Spring and his
friends arrived at the Swan Inn about half past seven o’clock, and were
received with loud cheers. He was in excellent health and spirits, and
seemed delighted at his cordial reception. Langan was not long after
him, and took up his quarters at the Dolphin. He, like Spring, was
warmly cheered. He was in high spirits, laughed heartily, and appeared
to be in excellent condition. Some doubts having been expressed by the
friends of Langan as to the good faith of Mr. Hewlings, who had promised
the men £200 to fight near Chichester, that gentleman at once posted
half the money in responsible hands, to be paid to the loser, and it was
agreed that the winner should receive his £100 as soon as the contest
was over. In the course of the evening a little money was invested at
three to one on Spring.
On the morning of fighting the bustle was redoubled in Chichester, and
the excitement appeared to extend to Bognor, Portsmouth, and other
places in the neighbourhood. Both men rose in excellent spirits, and
thoroughly up to the mark. Spring’s weight was about thirteen stone four
pounds, while Langan was at least a stone under that amount, and by many
it was considered he had drawn it too fine. About eleven o’clock a move
commenced towards the ground, and on the arrival of the public at the
before-named bridge, it was found that some of the milling gentry had
planted themselves at the entrance, where they extorted sums varying
from 2_s._ 6_d._ to 5_s._ from every one who passed, thus forestalling
Mr. Hewlings, who had hired the field and erected the stage at his own
expense, depending on the toll at the bridge for his reimbursement. Of
course much indignation was excited by this conduct, but on the arrival
of Mr. Jackson everything was set right, and a settlement made with Mr.
Hewlings.
At length, everything being arranged, Mr. Jackson, who acted as
Commander-in-Chief, directed that the men should be brought forward.
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