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, anxious to obtain a high situation on the milling list, and to
lose his time no longer with rough commoners, without hesitation
challenged Ned Painter for 100 guineas a-side, which was as
unhesitatingly accepted. It was thought a bold attempt on the part of
Spring, and to show more of ambition than sound judgment. This match
occasioned much conversation in the milling circles; but Painter was
decidedly the favourite. Some difficulty occurred in making the stakes
good on the part of Spring, many of his promised backers being found
absent at the appointed time. A gentleman, however, stepped forward and
made up the deficiency, to prevent disappointment.
The sun had scarcely shed his beams over the metropolis, on Wednesday
morning, the 1st of April, 1818, when the roads leading to Mickleham
Downs, near Leatherhead, in Surrey, were thronged with vehicles of every
description, full of amateurs hastening to the appointed spot to enjoy
scientific pugilism, it being the first “big fight” in the season. The
Bonifaces along the road were rather taken by surprise, it being April
Fool-day, but as soon as they got hold of the right scent, the “dashing
system” was put into requisition, and the “cooling article” was most
liberally added, in order to prevent the amateurs from getting the
fever, or over-heating their frames from too copious draughts of ardent
spirits. The “knowing ones” were perfectly satisfied that Painter must
win, and seven to four were the odds sported; but the admirers of youth,
supported by science, strength, and pluck, added to the chance of long
odds, proved eager takers.
The situation of the ring was truly picturesque and delightful,
commanding an uninterrupted view of diversified scenery for sixty miles.
Some fir trees contiguous to it had an animated appearance from the
numerous spectators mounted upon their boughs. At a little after one,
Painter and Spring appeared in the outer ring, and, upon meeting, shook
hands in a cordial and true Englishman-like manner. Spring threw his hat
first in the ring; Painter immediately followed the same line of
conduct. At half-past one the men set-to; Painter was seconded by Tom
Belcher and Harry Harmer; Spring by Cribb and Byrne. Seven to four
current, and two to one against Spring. Gully kept the time.
THE FIGHT.
Round 1.—The attitude of Spring was firm—his body far back, and his
length of arm rendered him difficult to be got at. They sparred for
three minutes without a hit being exchanged; Spring appeared tired
and put down his hands. He then, in planting a blow, hit short; more
long sparring occurred, when some hits were exchanged, and Painter
received a blow on the side of his throat that sent him staggering,
and, in falling, the back of his head and part of his shoulder came
in violent contact with one of the stakes. The shock was heard by
all the spectators. This round occupied six minutes—Spring received
great applause.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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