Ward’s letter had the effect of leading to a meeting of Looney’s friends, whereat that boxer discreetly declared that he never meant to include Ward in his general challenge for £100 or £200, as he considered that Ward had retired. Barring, therefore, Ward, Mister Looney renewed his claim. Hereupon a gentleman from Nottingham, disputing Looney’s claim to fight for “a Championship stake,” offered to back Bendigo against him for £50 a side and “as much more as he could get.” This was closed with, and a deposit made. On the following Tuesday, at Matt Robinson’s, “Molly Moloney” tavern, Liverpool, articles were signed for £50 a side (afterwards increased to £100), to fight on the 13th of June, 1837, half-way between Nottingham and Liverpool. A spot near Chapel-en-le-Frith, Derbyshire, was the rendezvous, and thither the men repaired. Looney arrived in Manchester from his training-quarters at Aintree, and Bendigo from Crosby, on the overnight, when there was some spirited betting at five and occasionally six to four on Looney. The next morning proving beautifully fine brought hundreds from distant parts to the spot, in the usual description of drags, until there was not a stable left wherein to rest a jaded prad, or a bit of hay or corn in many places to eat. Looney had fought many battles, the most conspicuous of which were with Fisher (whom he defeated twice, and another ended in a wrangle) and Bob Hampson, who suffered defeat three times by him. Bendigo, as we have seen, had scored victories over Caunt, Brassey, and young Langan. A little after eleven the magnets of the day left their hotels, and were immediately followed by an immense body on foot to the summit of a rasping hill, where a most excellent inner and outer ring was formed with new ropes and stakes, the latter being painted sky blue; near the top were the letters L. P. R. (signifying Liverpool Prize Ring), encircled in a wreath of gold; the one to which the handkerchiefs were attached was, with the crown, gilt. Soon after twelve o’clock the men entered the ring amidst the cheers of their friends――Bendigo first. They good-humouredly shook hands, and proceeded to peel. Young Molyneux (who was loudly cheered), along with Joe Birchall, appeared for Looney, whilst Peter Taylor and Young Langan were the assistants of Bendigo. The colours――green and gold for Looney; blue bird’s-eye for Bendigo. A little after one o’clock, the betting being five to four on Looney, with many takers, commenced THE FIGHT.