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
74.—This round was a fine picture of resolution under the most
distressing circumstances. Langan, without the slightest shadow of a
chance, seemed angry that his limbs would not do their duty; he came
again to the scratch, and, with true courage, fought till he was
sent down. While sitting on the knee of his second, Cribb thus
addressed him: “You are a brave man, Langan!” “A better was never
seen in the prize ring,” rejoined Painter; “but you can’t win,
Langan; it is no use for you to fight, and it may prove dangerous.”
“I _will_ fight,” said Langan; “no one shall take me away.”
75.—When time was called, Langan was brought to the scratch, and
placed himself in attitude. He attempted to hit, when Spring caught
hold of him and again fibbed him. (“Give no chance away now,” said
Cribb; “you must finish the battle.”) Langan went down quite stupid.
(“Take him away!” from all parts of the ring.)
76 and last.—Strange to relate, Langan again showed at the scratch;
it might be asserted that he fought from instinct. It did not
require much punishment, at this period, to send the brave Langan
off his legs; and, to the credit of Spring be it recorded, he did
his duty towards his backers as a fighting man, and acted so
humanely towards an opponent, that, to the end of life, Langan had
the highest respect for him as a man. Langan put up his arms in
attitude, but they were soon rendered useless, Spring driving him
down without giving punishment. When time was called, Langan was
insensible to the call, and thus, after a contest of one hour and
forty-nine minutes, the hat was thrown up, and Spring was declared
the conqueror, amidst the loudest shouts of approbation. Mr. Jackson
and Mr. Sant immediately ascended the stage. Mr. Sant congratulated
Spring on his victory, but concluded, “If you ever fight again, I
will never speak to you any more, Tom; I never saw such bad hands in
any battle.” Spring replied, “Sir, I never will.” He then left the
knee of his second, and went up to Langan, and laid hold of his
hand. The Irish Champion had not yet recovered, but on opening his
eyes, he asked in a faint tone, “Is the battle over?” “Yes,” replied
Belcher. “Oh dear!” articulated Langan. Spring immediately shook his
hand again, and said, “Jack, you and I must be friends to the end of
our lives; and anything that is within my power, I will do to serve
you. When I see you in town I will give you £10.”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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