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
28.—Langan walked up to the umpire, and said, “Sir, I did not go
down.” Time had been called, when Cribb sung out, “Why don’t you
come to the scratch? what manœuvres are you about, Mr. Belcher?” “I
want nothing but fair play,” replied Tom; “lick us fairly, and I
shall be satisfied.” Langan again made play, but was thrown.
29.—Spring planted a heavy facer. (“That’s a little one for us, I
believe,” said Cribb; “our hands are gone, are they?” Laughter.)
Langan was thrown heavily.
30.—It was quite clear that Langan could not get the lead, yet he
was not to be viewed with indifference; he was still dangerous, as a
throw might win the battle. Both down, Spring undermost.
31.—This round, more particularly at this stage of the fight,
exalted the character of Langan as one of the gamest of men. Langan
planted a body blow, but napped three facers in succession. A pause.
Langan received a heavy body blow, seemed exhausted, and fell on his
latter end.
32.—This round it was thought would have proved the quietus of
Langan. He was thrown heavily, and his head touched the lower rail.
(“That’s a finisher!” “He’ll not come again,” were the remarks of
the spectators.)
33.—Spring’s conduct towards Langan was generous and manly, and
deservedly applauded. Langan rushed in and made a blow at his
opponent, which Spring parried, then, laying hold of Langan, let him
down without punishment.
34.—Langan’s determination not only astonished the amateurs, but a
little alarmed the backers of Spring. Without an accident it was
booked almost to a certainty that Spring must win; still an accident
might happen. Langan could not persuade himself that anything alive
could master him. His backers were aware of his opinion, and
therefore would not oppose his resolution. The Irish Champion had
again the worst of it, and went down very much distressed. One hour
and seven minutes had elapsed, therefore all the bets that Spring
proved the conqueror in an hour were lost.
35.—This was a milling round. Langan would not go away, although hit
staggering: he went down as if he would not have been able to come
again. (Four to one on Spring.)
36.—This was ditto, with repeated, if not increased, punishment; yet
Langan returned, and Spring, with a caution that all his backers
must give him credit for, got away when anything like a heavy blow
was levelled at him. Langan fell exhausted. (“Take the brave fellow
away. Where are his backers?” “Very good, indeed,” replied Belcher;
“you are not hurt yet, Jack; and Spring’s hands are too far gone to
hurt you now.” “I will not give in,” said Langan; “I shall win it.”)
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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