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 beat all the men he ever fought with in the prize ring; and in
the whole of his contests lost but one battle. It is a curious
coincidence, that on Whit-Tuesday, 1823, he defeated the formidable
Neat, near Andover, and on Whit-Tuesday, 1824, he overcame the brave
Langan. Spring, therefore, won three great battles in one twelvemonth,
and one thousand pounds into the bargain; for instance—
With Neat £200
With Langan 300
Ditto 500
——————
£1,000
On Spring’s return to the Swan Hotel, Chichester, he was received by the
shouts of the populace all along the road; the ladies waving their
handkerchiefs at the windows as he passed along. Langan, so soon as he
had recovered a little from the effects of the battle, left the stage
amidst loudly expressed approbation: “You are an extraordinary fellow,
Langan,” “A brave man,” etc. The Irish Champion, accompanied by Belcher
and his backer, also received great applause on his return to the
Dolphin, in Chichester. Spring was immediately put to bed, and bled, and
a warm bath prepared for him. His hands were in a bad state, and his
face exhibited more punishment than appeared upon the stage, yet he was
cheerful, and quite collected. The same kind attention was paid to
Langan; and on being asked how he felt himself? he replied, “Very well;
I have lost the battle, but it owing to my want of condition; I am not
quite twelve stone; I have been harassed all over the country; I have
travelled two hundred and sixty miles within the last two days; I was
feverish, and on the road instead of my bed on Saturday night; I wanted
rest.” After making his man comfortable, Belcher, accompanied by his
bottle-holder, and also Colonel O’Neil, in the true spirit of chivalry,
all rivalry now being at an end, paid a visit to the bedside of Spring.
Here all was friendly, as it should be, and all parties were only
anxious for the recovery of both the pugilists. “How is Langan?” said
Spring to Belcher. “He is doing well,” replied Tom. “I am glad of it,”
said Spring. “We have had a fair fight, we have been licked, and I am
satisfied,” observed Belcher. All parties shook hands over the bed of
the conqueror. On leaving Spring, Mr. Sant, followed by Tom Cribb and
Ned Painter, immediately returned with Colonel O’Neil to the bedside of
Langan. Mr. Sant observed, “Well Langan, how do you do—do you know me?
You can’t see me.” “Yes, sir,” replied the fallen hero. “I am Spring’s
backer,” said Mr. Sant, “but, nevertheless, your friend.” “I am obliged
to you, sir,” answered Langan; “if it was not for such gentlemen as you
in the sporting world, we should have no fights. Indeed, Spring is a
smart, clever fellow, and I wish him well.” “That is liberal,” said
Painter; “I am happy to hear one brave man speak well of another.” The
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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