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
Round 1.—Spring never looked so big, nor so well, in any of his
previous contests; he appeared perfectly at his ease: coolness sat
upon his brow, and his deportment altogether was a fine
personification of confidence; indeed, it was observed by a noble
lord, “There is something about the person of the Champion, if not
truly noble, yet manly and elegant.” Langan also looked well; his
face exhibited a tinge of the sun, and his frame was robust and
hardy; his loins appeared smaller than in his former contest. His
countenance was as pleasant as his opponent’s, and his eyes sparkled
with fire and animation. Previous to setting-to, Langan went up to
Spring, opening his drawers, and observed, “See, Tom, I have no belt
about me,” the Champion immediately followed his example, and said
(also opening his drawers), “Nor I neither, Jack!” This circumstance
elicited great applause from all parts of the ring. “Well done,
Langan; bravo, Spring!” Spring now shook his brave opponent by the
hand. Cribb laid hold of Tom Belcher’s fist, and Ned Painter shook
the bunch of fives of big Paddy O’Neil (shortly afterwards beaten by
“my nevvy,” Jem Burn.[5]) The men placed themselves in attitude. The
glorious moment had arrived, and the seconds, in compliance with the
articles, retired to the corners of the stage. This time Langan
stood up within the reach of his adversary, and it was pleasing to
witness the activity displayed by the combatants moving over the
stage to obtain the first hit. A stand still, steadfastly looking at
the eyes of each other; at length Langan made an offer, which Spring
stopped well. The Champion made a hit, which told slightly on
Langan’s nob; the latter fought his way into a close, in which
Spring endeavoured to fib his antagonist. Here the struggle began
for the throw—it was desperate; the art of wrestling was not
resorted to by either of the boxers, and main strength was the
trial. Langan broke from the arms of Spring, and a stand still was
the result. Langan observed, “First blood, Tom;” which slightly
appeared at the corner of Spring’s mouth. The Irish Champion made a
good stop, but was blowing a little. Spring planted another facer,
when Langan fought his way into a close: a desperate struggle
ensued: fibbing was again attempted, when Langan went down on his
knees. Spring patted the Irish Champion on the back with the utmost
good humour, as much as to say, “You are a brave fellow,” (A
thundering report of approbation, and “Well done, Spring!”) Four
minutes and a few seconds. The referee, on being asked who drew the
first blood, replied, “He did not see any on Spring; but he saw a
little on the left cheek of Langan, just under his eye.”
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