Pugilistica: The History of British Boxing, Volume 3 (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, 1719-40, to the Last Championship Battle Between King and Heenan, in December 1863Miles, Henry Downes
History
Pugilistica: The History of British Boxing, Volume 3 (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, 1719-40, to the Last Championship Battle Between King and Heenan, in December 1863
Miles, Henry Downes
Boxing
on the expediency of putting an end to the battle, he jumped into
the ring, and, getting between the men, declared he would not
permit them to prolong the contest. At this moment both men were
fresh and vigorous, and each seemed disinclined to leave his
chance of victory in doubt, Slasher especially, who said he
considered he was robbed of the fight, while Freeman laughed, and
said, if they were permitted to proceed, the result would perhaps
prove he was mistaken. The referee was, however, peremptory, and
both men were taken from the ring after having fought _seventy
rounds_ in _one hour and twenty-four minutes_. They walked away
as fresh as when they began, with a mutual desire that they might
renew the combat the next day at twelve o’clock, at such place as
the referee might appoint, to which the latter assented, as there
did not appear to be anything in their appearance to justify a
further delay in the gratification of their desires.
REMARKS.――It is much to be regretted that this curious encounter
was not brought to a more satisfactory conclusion, inasmuch as
the merits of the men still remain undecided; and so evenly had
their pretensions been balanced in the minds of their respective
friends that each party declares, had time and circumstances
permitted, their favourite must have been crowned with victory.
How far these conclusions may be well or ill founded we will not
pretend to say; but certainly we feel justified in giving to both
men an equal proportion of praise, so far at least as their game
qualities are concerned. It is true, we may be disposed to take
exception to the “getting down” system which was adopted by the
Slasher, but then it must be borne in mind he fought at fearful
odds both as regards weight and length, and could never hope
successfully to compete with such an antagonist unless by a
degree of caution and cunning, which with a man of his own inches
would have been unjustifiable and amounted to cowardice. There is
no doubt that occasionally his dropping after delivering his
blows had too much the appearance of being at variance with our
notion of “a fair stand-up fight;” but then the ground was
slippery, and he asserts that when he did fall it was from the
recoil of his own blows or from his being unable to keep his feet
in endeavouring to avoid the tremendous return which he had
sufficient reason to expect. That this was provoking to Freeman
we can well imagine; but, under all the circumstances, we do not
think it detracts from the game qualities of the Slasher, who
certainly came up from first to last undismayed, and with a manly
determination to win if he could. Of his scientific
qualifications we cannot say much. If he possessed any they were
reserved for a future occasion.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account