Chapter VII: Ned Turner—1814‒1824 (2)

19.—Scroggins made a good body hit, and smashed
away with much spirit. He was manfully opposed
by Turner, but the latter ultimately went down,
and almost a second had elapsed when Scroggy
fell with all his weight upon him. Some marks of
disapprobation, but it might have been accident.

20.—Turner, with considerable ease, planted a
right-handed hit on the already chanceried nob
of Scroggins, and got away; but the latter, to
revenge this attack, rushed in with uncommon
ardour to make a change, if possible, and while
endeavouring to put in some tremendous blows,
received a slight hit that caused him to fall
and slip out of the ring.

21.—Some heavy hits were dealt out on both
sides, and Turner, in particular, received one
so severe on the right side of his nob, that for
a second it was almost upon his shoulder. In
closing, both down.

22.—This was positively the best round in the
fight; the blows were heard all round the ring.
A desperate rally occurred, and the men broke
away; but Scroggins, not satisfied that he had
done enough, endeavoured to go in head foremost
to take the fight out of his opponent. Turner,
prepared for his impetuosity, hit upwards as
he was coming in, upon his throat, with great
effect. In closing, both down, Turner undermost.
Scroggins, on his second’s knee, hemmed for
wind, and he also discharged a considerable
quantity of the crimson fluid from his mouth.

23.—Scroggins rushed in, and both down.

24.—Things had now materially changed, and five
and six to one were freely offered on Turner.
On Scroggins reaching the scratch his knees
trembled under him, and he appeared like a man
intoxicated. He endeavoured to plant a hit, and
fell.

25.—Turner gave him a left handed facer, and
also a severe ribber with his right. Scroggins
was quite abroad; he could make no hit with any
degree of certainty, and once more resorted to
boring in, till both went down. The combatants
were close together while sitting on the knees
of their seconds, when Turner laid hold of his
opponent’s hand and gave it a friendly shake.

26.—On setting-to Turner planted a dreadful
facer, and soon after hit Scroggins clean down.
(Seven to one was offered.) Brandy was now
called for to renovate the little hero, but it
was of no avail.

27.—On coming to the scratch, after a slight
hit from Turner, Scroggins turned round and
retreated till he got to a corner of the ring.
Turner stood still, pointing his finger at him
and beckoning him to come up and fight, but it
would not do. Turner was compelled to follow
Scroggins, when they closed. Severe fibbing was
again dealt out to him, till both went down.

28.—Turner left the knee of his second in a most
lively manner, but Scroggins seemed to come very
reluctantly to the point of war. Scroggins threw
away his blows, and he received some dreadful
up-hits in his throat that electrified him.

29.—Scroggins was brought to the mark, and he
had scarcely lifted up his hands when he was hit
down. (Ten to one offered freely.)

30.—The nob of Scroggins now appeared much
damaged, and his ribs exhibited a token of
severe punishment. But though the little hero
was prevented from doing any mischief, he
nevertheless contended for the throw, and
obtained it.

31.—The superiority of Turner astonished all
present. He made a successful hit with his right
hand on the face of Scroggins, and instantly
made another good one upon his ribs. The little
hero turned round in a state of confusion, and
was sent down. (Great applause. Five to three
offered that Scroggins did not fight three more
rounds.)

32.—Scroggins had been literally stupid for the
last half hour, from the heavy blows he had
received on his head, and in not being able to
stop the upper-cuts of Turner. At out fighting
in this round he was much punished, and severely
fibbed, till Turner dropped him. (“Well done,
Turner.”)

33 and last.—It was all up with the sailor,
who had made so much noise in the fighting
circles for the last three years. He had been
pronounced to be almost invincible, and he had
flattered himself into the belief. In the last
ten rounds, in point of fighting, he had no
chance whatever; nevertheless he fought with
much bravery. Scroggins endeavoured to do
something in this round, put in some hits, but
turned away from his opponent from the severity
of punishment, and fell. On being placed upon
his second’s knee, he gave in. Upon Harry Harmer
hoisting the handkerchief as a token of defeat,
it is impossible to describe the appearance
of the ring. They seemed lost in reverie, till
giving vent to their surprise, they exclaimed,
“What, Scroggins given in? Impossible!” The
battle lasted one hour and twelve minutes.
Scroggins was carried out of the ring, and put
into a post-chaise, Turner having won almost
without a scratch.

REMARKS.—The “Napoleon of the ring” has at
length been defeated, but not disgraced; and,
like other mighty fighting heroes, has been
taught what it is to drink of the bitter cup of
disappointment. He is now blamed for his
confidence and temerity by those very admirers
who supported him; but it may be asked, what is
a hero without feeling confident of victory?
Scroggins entered the ring under these feelings,
and endeavoured to come out a conqueror. He did
all that a man could do; and the hero, who
defeated in succession, Boots, Dolly Smith,
Nosworthy, Eales, Whittaker, Church, and Fisher,
ought not to be forgotten in an honourable
defeat with a superior man. Scroggins was never
considered a boxer in a scientific point of
view, and this day he completely proved the
truth of the assertion. The judgment and science
were completely on the side of Turner; he never
struggled to lose his strength in throwing, but
went down with scarcely any resistance. He never
hit first, but only when the opportunity was
undeniable. His guard was so firm that Scroggins
could never get at him without being exposed to
great danger. His coolness was equally
admirable; and, in opposition to Scroggins, he
made the ferocity of the latter subservient to
his skill. The desperation of Scroggins, which
had so terrified his opponents hitherto, was
reduced to confusion; and the ease with which he
was conquered, astonished the most knowing
amateurs, and many of them paid dearly for their
confidence. At best, he was only a resolute
smashing fighter, and none of his opponents,
except Turner, could get away from his severe
punishment. He lost by out-fighting with Turner,
and was worse off from going in. In the fight at
Hayes, Turner has since acknowledged, he
received so violent a blow from Scroggins that
he could not for a month afterwards open his
mouth without considerable pain.

Turner was so fresh that he was able to have fought another battle, and walked round the ring during the next fight. He drove himself to London, and appeared so little hurt from his conflict that he returned with all the gaiety of a spectator. The house kept by Scroggins, in Westminster, was surrounded by hundreds of people waiting for the intelligence; and so much confidence were the crowd inspired with in behalf of the naval hero, that his defeat was not believed till he arrived at home about one in the morning.

The backers of Turner met on the Friday evening following at Belcher’s, the Castle Tavern, Holborn, and presented him with the whole of the stakes, amounting to £120, as a reward for his courage. Turner also paid his fallen opponent a friendly visit the preceding evening, when Scroggins said he wished to retrieve his lost laurels in a new contest for £100 a side. Turner, who had no wish to fight again, but merely as a matter of accommodation, said he could not meet him for less than £200 a side. Scroggins attributed his defeat to a chance blow in the throat, accompanied with getting one of his feet into a small hole in the ground, which threw him off his balance; and it was at that precise instant, he said, that he received the above hit, which deprived him of his wind throughout the conflict.

A short time after the above conquest Turner made a visit to New Town, where he had recently been in training, and which is the birth-place of his parents and relatives. He was hailed with all the respect due to a hero in a more important cause. The companions of his youth, and the admirers of pugilism among the Ancient Britons, caused a congratulatory peal to be rung upon the bells in honour of his victory. A feast was held at the first inn in the place, and two roasted fat sheep, with gilded horns, were served up with the _et ceteras_, including plenty of game. The evening was conducted with the utmost conviviality, and the Welsh bards mustered upon this occasion composed and sung extemporaneous verses in praise of the brave and of the exploits of their countryman.

Upon the return of Turner to London the stakes were made good, for 300 guineas, and Scroggins, it seems, so much fancied this third trial of skill, that, in order to train correctly, he relinquished his character as a publican, and disposed of his house. But the opinion of the sporting world had changed, and seven to four was the current betting upon Turner. The charm of the invincibility of Scroggins was broken, and the great interest this little hero once sustained in the milling circles was materially injured by his defeat.

From some apparently careless conduct of Scroggins after the stakes were made good, much doubt prevailed through the fancy respecting the battle, and a strong opinion was maintained “that no fight would take place.” Even three to one was betted on this particular point. This circumstance operated as a great drawback upon the interest of the contest, and until the evening preceding the battle very few sums were risked upon the event. Both the combatants, however, had publicly declared it should not be their fault if any disappointment occurred, as they were very anxious to come to a decision upon the subject. Notwithstanding this mystery, Scroggins had not lost his interest with the sporting world, and early on the morning appointed for the battle the roads leading to the scene of action gave proof of it. The ring was made at an early hour, at Shepperton; and, whether owing to accident or intention, upon the arrival of numerous spectators at the above spot, it was given out “the fight will take place at Moulsey.” Thither the motley cavalcade repaired, and the confusion that now occurred beggars description. The flight from Shepperton through Walton was like the retreat of an army. Those, too, who were galloping from Hampton to Shepperton turned suddenly round upon hearing the news; the road in consequence was blocked, the scent for a time lost, and all doubt and glorious confusion. A strong group was at length seen forming across the water at Moulsey, and the boats were actively employed in conveying over the anxious spectators to be in time. It was now booked by many that no fight would take place; and, if it did, that hundreds would not be able to see it. The hoax, however, was dispelled, and “Shepperton” was again the signal. The keeper of the Walton Bridge toll, anxious to come in for a slice of the profits, put up a board at the end of a lane, “This is the road to the fight,” and from this stratagem came in for a tolerable good share of copper; it was, however, considerably out of the way. At length all was right, the ring was formed, and the spectators took their stations. But another dilemma arose—the principal actor had not arrived, and the audience waited in the most anxious suspense. Turner had been in the ring, and thrown up his hat without being answered. Two to one was offered it was no fight. To prevent total disappointment, the after piece was about to be performed first, and two youths appeared stripped. But the cry of “Scroggins, Scroggins,” was now heard; the lads instantly made their exit, and the little hero was greeted with welcome. Upon being asked by a friend if he meant to fight, he answered, “Yes, and win it.” The combatants soon prepared for action, and seven to four was laid against Scroggins, although he appeared in the best condition. Tom Owen and Painter were for Turner, and Paddington Jones and Spring waited upon Scroggins. The colours of the combatants were tied to the stakes of the ring, and at two o’clock the men set-to. The articles stipulated to meet between twelve and one, but Turner said he did not wish to avail himself of this advantage.

THE FIGHT.

Round 1.—This first round was very similar
to the two last battles at Hayes and
Sawbridgeworth, but with an increase of
caution on both sides. Scroggins, it seemed,
did not like the idea of going in to smash
his opponent at the onset, after his usual
decided manner, when victory crowned his
efforts in seven successive contests, but
exhibited a total change in his tactics—a
complete new feature. This once tremendous
rushing boxer now adopted the system of
getting away of scientific pugilists.
Turner, equally on the alert, and wishing to
do everything but receive, lengthened out
this round to five minutes and a half,
during which time they dodged each other to
obtain the first advantage. Turner at last
hit short; Scroggins also made a feint
without effect. Turner was tired of his
position and put down his hands. They,
however, finished the round by both hitting
together, closed, went down, but Turner
undermost. Only four blows were exchanged.

2.—Turner planted two clean hits without
experiencing any return. A good rally followed,
during which the mug of Scroggins was clareted.
In closing, both down, but Turner again
undermost.

3.—The little hero, anxious to punish his
adversary, rushed in and planted a severe hit
under the jaws of Turner and got away. In
rallying, however, Scroggins slipped down, and
received a slight hit in falling.

4.—Nearly a minute elapsed before a hit was
made. Turner gave two sharp blows, and Scroggins
put in a desperate nobber just passing the ear
of Turner. It was a good round altogether. In
closing, the strength of Scroggins prevailed,
and Turner was thrown.

5.—The great advantage Turner derived from his
height and length over his adversary was evident
to every one. Turner, with much _sang froid_,
planted two nobbers and got away. Some sharp
blows were exchanged, when the men separated. In
finishing the round a smart rally occurred, and,
in going down, Scroggins was undermost. (Five to
two on Turner; but little betting occurred.)

6.—Scroggins appeared earnestly to wish for
in-fighting, but the difficulty and danger of
the attempt operated as a drawback. He, however,
made two punishing hits. In closing, Turner
caught hold of his nob and coloured it with
the quickness of a painter with his brush. In
struggling for the throw Turner was undermost,
but he gave his opponent rather an ugly hoist.

7.—In this round Scroggy appeared to advantage.
He fought after his usual method, regardless of
the consequences. He stopped Turner as he was
coming in with a tremendous hit in his face,
that made his head bob again. Scroggins also
planted two more severe blows that seemed rather
to confuse the tactics of Turner. The latter
returned heavily, and made an up-hit at his
opponent’s throat, but missed it. In closing,
both down, but Turner undermost.

8.—The little hero, full of gaiety, rushed in,
planted two successful hits, and bored Turner
down.

9.—After an exchange Turner went down from a
blow on the side of the head.

10.—The length of Turner again prevailed.
Scroggins was desperate in action, but not
effective in execution; while, on the contrary,
Turner planted three hits in succession on the
face of his opponent, and the claret followed at
every touch. In closing, Turner was undermost.

11.—This round was contested in a most manly
style. Scroggins, with uncommon severity, hit
Turner away from him in three successive
attempts, when considerable sparring occurred.
Turner then took the lead, and the execution
he performed on the head of Scroggins was
tremendous. He also finished the round in high
style; Scroggins was undermost.

12.—Turner was much applauded in this round
for his manly conduct. In a short close he let
Scroggins down without a blow, throwing up his
hands and walking away.

13.—This was a grand round, and Scroggins
never displayed anything like such a knowledge
of the pugilistic art in any of his previous
contests. He stopped with considerable skill,
and reciprocal fighting occurred. Scroggins
got rather impetuous, and threw his blows
away; and Turner was also incorrect in some of
his distances. The latter again hit up at his
head, but without effect. Scroggins went down.

14.—Considerable execution was done. Scroggins
planted two good hits upon his opponent’s nob,
but Turner returned upon him so hard and fast
that Scroggins turned round rather confusedly.
He, however, rallied with great spirit till he
slipped down.

15.—Well contested and both down, but Scroggins
undermost.

16.—Turner commenced by planting a successful
blow on the head of Scroggins; but the latter
returned in a spirited manner, and hit, hit, and
hit again, till Turner went down.

17.—Some sharp blows occurred between the
combatants in this round. Scroggins made a hit
over the left eye of Turner, and he also touched
his body; but Turner sent his adversary down.

18.—After some sparring, Turner put down his
hands and rubbed them against his body. Some
blows were exchanged. In struggling to obtain
the throw, Turner neatly tripped up his
antagonist.

19.—The hands of Turner were covered with the
claret of his opponent. In closing, Scroggins
was undermost.

20.—Some good hits were exchanged, but
materially in favour of Turner, who planted four
blows in succession, without having any return,
but he (Turner) went down rather weak.

21.—Scroggins planted a sharp blow on the side
of Turner’s head, when he dropped down on one
knee, but instantly rose again and went on his
second’s knee.

22.—Good exchanges. In closing, Turner was down,
and Scroggins fell upon him.

23.—On setting-to Turner sighed loudly, as if in
want of wind, and, after some little sparring,
he dropped his hands, as did also his opponent.
Scroggins let several opportunities slip of
going in, and when he did it was more of the
“forlorn hope” sort of attack, than from the
cool judgment of the tactician.

24.—The little hero went in with much
resolution, and ultimately sent down Turner upon
his latter end.

25.—On coming to the scratch Turner displayed
considerable weakness; his knees trembled
violently. In the course of this round Turner
turned from his antagonist, but Scroggins
ultimately went down.

26.—Some sparring occurred, and Turner put down
his hands; after this the men fought their way
into a close. They broke away and closed again,
and dealt out to each other some heavy blows,
and Turner received so severely on his kidneys,
that he appeared to go down from weakness.

27.—One hour and three minutes had now elapsed,
and Scroggins appeared to stand the firmest on
his legs; but the betting did not change in his
favour. The position of Turner rendered him so
formidable that it was dangerous to attack him.
Scroggins displayed some of his old antics, and
in going in slipped down from a slight hit.

28.—Some blows were exchanged, and Turner went
down.

29.—Scroggins even now appeared well upon his
legs, and he followed Turner all round the ring,
and, in closing, Turner was undermost.

30.—Scroggins felt determined to win if
possible. Turner was hit away from his intention
of going in. It was a good round, and both down.

31.—Notwithstanding Scroggins showed himself off
in good style, the chance was completely against
him. He went down from a slight hit. Turner in
general finished most of the rounds decidedly in
his favour.

32.—Scroggins went down from a severe hit in the
body.

33.—This was a good round. Scroggins followed
his opponent in a desperate manner all over the
ring, and Turner went down from a slip or a
slight hit.

34.—The chancery suit was fast coming on
Scroggins, and his nob was completely at the
service of his opponent. The little hardy hero
nevertheless contended for victory till he fell
in an exhausted state.

35.—If Scroggins was not satisfied with the
superiority of his opponent, the spectators had
long previous to this period been convinced that
he had no chance of winning. He went down from a
slight hit almost upon setting-to.

36.—Turner sent down Scroggins in a twinkling,
and his legs doubled up.

37.—The head of Scroggins was in a terrible
state; but, notwithstanding, he stood at the
scratch in a more firm state than might have
been expected. He was shortly hit down, and the
general cry was, “Take him away.”

38.—The desperation of Scroggins was not quite
exhausted, and he endeavoured to contend up to
the last moment. He was so weak that he went
down from a mere touch.

39 and last.—His friends were now perfectly
satisfied that Scroggins had done everything
that a brave man could attempt. The idea of
losing seemed terrible to his feelings, and
he again endeavoured to meet his opponent. On
setting-to the punishment of his adversary was
so severe that he turned, in a confused state,
and fell forward upon the ropes. Turner patted
him upon the back, implying, “you are a brave
fellow.” The battle was now at an end. Scroggins
could not come again, and Turner immediately
went up to him and shook him by the hand before
he quitted the ring. It lasted one hour and
thirty-one minutes and a half.

REMARKS.—Scroggins, from the brave conduct he
displayed in this third battle, completely
removed the insinuations which were levelled at
him respecting his defeat at Sawbridgeworth, and
re-established his character as a determined
game boxer. Though defeated, he has not been
disgraced, but compelled to yield to superior
skill, height, and length. Turner, from his
distinguished conquests over a hero like
Scroggins, who had gained such an ascendancy,
has placed himself at the top of the tree. It
should also be recollected that he has fought
four prize battles, and experienced eight weeks’
close confinement, added to the agitation of his
mind during his trial, within twelve months. His
qualities are rare and valuable, and his
position, though not showy, is formidable in the
extreme. Cool and collected in the heat of
battle, with game of the first quality, Turner
retired from the ring with merely a slight mark
upon his ear. He was well seconded by Owen and
Painter.

Turner’s backers presented him with the whole of the battle-money. He returned to London the same evening, and appeared among the company at Belcher’s as if nothing had happened. Scroggins showed himself in town the next morning; his head exhibited terrible marks of punishment.

Turner by this second victory attained high pugilistic eminence, yet he was literally dragged into milling popularity, by the sovereign contempt with which his capabilities were treated by Scroggins and not a few of his admirers: however, Turner wore his “blushing honours” with becoming moderation.

About this period a boxer, well known in after years to Londoners, young Cy. Davis, of Bristol, attracted much attention, and he was thought in every respect an excellent match for Turner. Davis, as we have said, was not only an object of considerable attraction at Bristol, but had recently given the Londoners a specimen of his quality. A match was therefore made, by Tom Belcher, on the part of his fellow townsman, Davis, for 100 guineas a side; and Turner, from his well-known tried qualities, did not want for friends to support him upon this occasion. Davis stood so well with the sporting people that it was even betting, the former for choice. Wallingham Common, in Surrey, seventeen miles from London, was the spot selected for this combat to take place, and the torrents of rain which prevailed for some hours on Friday morning, June 18, 1819, did not in the least deter the amateurs. Most of the fancy scorned even to sport an umbrella, and it should seem that the recollection of the anniversary of the battle of Waterloo gave them fresh vigour. At length all difficulties were at an end, the rain ceased, the ring appeared in view, and preparation was made for the combat to commence. Turner threw up his hat first in the ring, attended by Cribb and Randall, when, after waiting a considerable time, Davis was loudly called for by the Champion. Some minutes elapsed, when Davis appeared with Tom Belcher and Harmer, and repeated the token of defiance. At a quarter before two the men set-to, the colours having been previously tied to the stakes; the true blue was placed by Randall, and the original yellow-man (which has ever since the period of the late Jem Belcher, out of compliment to his pugilistic fame, been denominated “a Belcher”[158]) was tied over the blue by Tom Belcher. Even betting was about the thing.

THE FIGHT.

Round 1.—Davis looked in fine condition, and
appeared to be able to win it off hand; his
opponent, however, showed better than was
expected. But the contrast was great. Davis,
from his fine and elegant form, was the _beau
ideal_ of the ring-goers, while Turner looked
more like a weatherbeaten Greenwich pensioner.
It was thought the gay Bristol Boy would go to
work without ceremony, and nob Turner in
style, from the manner he disposed of Belasco
the Jew; but whether the high fame of Turner
had made any impression upon his feelings, or
the Dutch-Sam-like countenance of his opponent
checked him, it is certain that he was
particularly cautious, and Turner hit first
slightly with his left hand. Long sparring,
and Davis kept retreating. Turner put in five
light hits on the body and head, when Davis
smiled. Another long pause of sparring
occurred, and Randall was seen sitting on the
ropes minutely eyeing the tactics of both the
combatants. Some exchanges took place; the
right cheek of Davis appeared red, and Turner
planted a blow on the body that sent Davis
staggering. He went down. (Loud shouting. Six
to four.)

2.—Turner had scarcely planted a hit, when Davis
went down. (Great murmurings, and “Turner, my
boy, you’ll win it without a scratch.” Two to
one.)

3.—Great astonishment was excited at the conduct
of Davis, and he seemed as if afraid to face his
man with any confidence. After some cautious
sparring, Turner made a hit, but it was so much
a question whether it touched Davis or not, that
the umpires advised his seconds that he should
be more careful in future in his going down,
as, if such conduct was pursued, the battle
must immediately have an end. (Disapprobation
expressed.)

4.—Turner made play, and used both hands with
success. Davis smiled, and with a tremendous
right-handed hit on the head knocked Turner
down. This decided the first knock-down blow;
Turner also showed the first blood. (“Go along,
Davis,” from the Bristolians; “you can do it if
you like. Another such hit, and it will be all
right.”)

5.—Instead of Davis going in to follow up his
success, he again went down from a slight hit;
in fact, it was thought almost without a blow.

6.—Turner followed Davis, and planted some hits.
The latter, it should seem, had no inclination
to go in, or he might have stood upon even terms
with his opponent. He was no novice at fighting;
he could also hit hard and stop well. He,
however, again went down, when the Bristol men
appeared quite angry with him, crying out,
“Davis, what are you at?” (Four to one).

7.—Davis appeared as if he felt these
reproaches, and went to work in earnest. “Look,
look,” observed several amateurs, “this chap may
win it now, if he will but go in and fight. He
can do something if he likes.” It was a good
round; but Davis was now really hit down.
“Bravo, Turner!” and “Give him a little one for
me.” Also, “Well done, Davis.”

8.—Davis positively seemed afraid to hit home.
Turner got away from a flooring right-handed
hit; but the latter was now the most punished,
and bleeding. Davis had the best of the hitting,
and gave Turner a hard blow on the side of the
head. Davis might have showed himself off in
good style, but it was urged he wanted pluck.
Both down.

9.—Davis went down with a slight hit.

10.—Notwithstanding the shy fighting of Davis,
he hit Turner on the jaw so tremendously with
his right hand, that he went down like a shot,
and seemed almost in a state of stupor. “Go
it, Davis,” from his partisans; “that’s the
way to mill; you’ll win.” Turner was quite
abroad; another such a hit, had it been quickly
repeated, must have proved a _quietus_. This
dreadful hit operated seriously on Turner’s
backers. Long faces were seen in all directions,
and even Randall shook his head, scarcely
knowing what to think of it. Indeed, it was all
but over with Turner. Great applause was here
given to Davis, and the Bristolians were all as
gay as larks.

11.—Davis did not follow up his success. Some
sharp exchanges took place, and Turner’s face
was clareted. Davis turned round from the
hitting, and it was thought that Turner hit him
when he was down. “Foul, foul,” was cried.
“Never mind; they’re only even,” said a sly old
sportsman.

12.—Turner stopped most of his opponent’s blows,
and sent him down. This almost jaw-breaker waked
Turner to the dangerous intent of his opponent’s
right hand. However singular it may appear,
it might almost be urged, that this blow gave
victory to Turner. He now became down to it, and
stopped it with great judgment.

13.—This was a good round; and Davis showed
like a boxer till he was hit down. If he had
possessed any sort of fear, it seemed now
removed; and his conduct at this juncture
claimed praise. An excellent judge exclaimed,
“Davis may win it now.” The Bristol Boy here
received a great deal of applause from various
parts of the ring.

14.—The right hand of Davis was very dangerous,
and he nobbed Turner staggering away; but the
latter, game-cock like, returned to the attack,
and sent Davis down.

15.—In this round Turner beat Davis to a
complete stand-still. “What’s o’clock now?”
cried Cribb. “It’s all up, I believe.”

16 to 19.—Turner stopped with great skill most
of Davis’s blows; but Turner received a dreadful
hit over his right eye, that made him almost go
down from its severity. The claret flowed again;
but Turner, undismayed, followed his opponent,
who again got down in the quickest manner he
could, seemingly to escape hitting.

20.—In this round Turner got Davis in a corner,
when Randall said, “Ned, do as I do; keep that
in your eye, my boy, and you’ll soon fetch him
out.” Davis turned aside from the severity of
the hitting, and went down.

21, 22.—This was a singular round, from the
following circumstance:—Belcher stooped down
and picked up a piece of paper, and put it in
Davis’s left hand, to keep it close. Turner
thought it was a stone, and said, if that was
the way he was to be used, he would not fight.
Randall rushed in to see what it was, anxious to
do his duty as a second, and almost tore the
paper out of Belcher’s hand, who had now got
hold of it, openly showing it, that nothing
unfair was meant, and that it had been used
merely for the purpose described. Some words
ensued. The umpires inquired the cause of the
disturbance. Belcher explained. It caused some
little agitation round the ring, many of the
amateurs thinking it was a bank note, and that a
wager had been proposed, and that staking was
attempted as a sort of _ruse de guerre_, to give
Davis time. The umpires appeared satisfied that
nothing “unfair” had been attempted. This was
a sharp, well-fought, short round, and both
the men went down. Davis had now retrieved his
character in a great degree with the spectators,
who asserted that when he was at work he did not
mind it, but that it appeared he did not like to
begin to hit.

23 to 26.—Some good rounds, Davis fighting
better than he had done; but in the latter he
received a body hit that made quite a dent
upon his frame. Turner, in closing, slung him
round like a cat. This wisty-castor on the
body occasioned a complete revolution, and
“bellows to mend” was the true feature.

27.—Turner put in a dreadful blow under the ear
of Davis, or rather at the back part of his
head. It occasioned a large gash, and he went
down in a pitiable state.

28 and 29.—Good rounds and sharp hitting. Davis
determined to let the amateurs see that he could
fight a bit. Both the eyes of Davis had now been
measured for a suit of mourning; and, on his
forehead, he had got a lump like an egg. It
was evident that after all he did not want for
bottom in regard to taking.

30.—Davis, it was asserted, fell without a blow,
and Turner fell heavily on him.

31.—This round might be termed the finisher.
Davis was so stupid that he stood quite still,
while Turner hit him down. He could not lift his
hands. Nature had deserted him—his eyes had lost
their fire, and he was viewed by the amateurs
as an object of pity rather than ill-natured
remarks.

32 and last.—It is true Davis made his
appearance at the scratch, but he turned away
from the blow and fell down. The contest was
over in forty-five minutes.

REMARKS.—If any observations can be made a
nut-shell might contain them. In a word, too
much praise had been previously bestowed on
the prime qualities said to be possessed by
Davis. Owing to his decisive fight with Belasco,
senior, anticipation was on tiptoe to behold
another pugilist from Bristol—a soil that had
given birth to Big Ben, Jem and Tom Belcher,
the Game Chicken, Tom Cribb, Gulley, Nicholls,
Bob Watson, etc.; names familiar whenever
comparisons are made respecting the goodness
of a boxer. Davis’s right hand was very
dangerous. From his youth, weight, freshness,
and strength, he ought to have won it. It was
urged by his friends that his going down so
often was owing to a weakness in his knees—a
rheumatic affection, which had seized him a few
days previous to the battle. It is only common
justice to Davis to state that he was terribly
beaten about the head, and one of his hands,
arms, and shoulders exhibited heavy punishment;
more experience, and another trial, perhaps, may
recover him his lost laurel. It is no new case
that some men are “half beat” before they enter
the ring; and that young soldiers wink on first
smelling powder. It should also be remembered
that only one Randall and one Turner at present
stand upon the list. The talents of the latter
are so well known that it would be superfluous
to state them. Upon this occasion, however, he
became the offensive instead of the defensive
pugilist. He might have been better in condition
had longer time been allowed him; at all events,
it must be a second Randall to defeat Turner.

Such was the opinion of some of the best judges of the time, and it certainly was not prudent at any rate to match young Cy. against so good a tactician as Turner for a first trial.

The sporting world now looked forward to a match between Turner and Martin, more especially as Turner, after his defeat by Randall, had been challenged by Martin, who had about the same time disposed of the hardy Scroggins; both men too had succumbed to Randall, and the different styles of their defeats had been the topic of much critical discussion.

The match was at length made, neither man being loth, at Tom Spring’s (Tom then kept the Catherine Wheel, Little St. James’s Street, Pall Mall). Five to four on Turner was the first offer, but these odds were thought too small. Master Scroggins, who was an original in his way, being present, submitted the following remarks for the consideration of the amateurs: “He would not give tuppence for choice—he had tried both the men: Turner was the awkwardest man alive to get at; but Martin was the hardest hitter. Two gamer coves never entered the ring, and when either of the men said ‘No,’ the other would be very glad of it.” The opinion of Randall was diametrically opposite. He had also entered the lists with Martin and Turner. Scroggins was defeated by the latter in one hour and twelve minutes in good style; while, on the contrary, Martin, after a desperate contest, with Scroggins, of two hours and two minutes, only gained it, as it were, by the toss up of a halfpenny. Calculations were made accordingly, and Turner rose to seven to four, with evens offered that the fight lasted over an hour, and two to one that Turner was not beaten in one hour and a quarter.

This battle took place on Tuesday, October 26, 1819, for 100 guineas a side, at Wallingham Common, Surrey. Little betting occurred on the day of fighting, as it was booked to a certainty that Turner must win. The road, however, on the morning of fighting, exhibited the usual features of fun, frolic, and disaster. At one o’clock Turner threw his hat within the ropes, followed by Tom Belcher and Randall; Martin quickly replied, having the assistance and advice of Tom Cribb and Tom Spring.

THE FIGHT.

Round 1.—On stripping, both combatants appeared
in the highest condition. Martin was as fine as
the human frame could be trained; true, he
looked big, but there was nothing gross about
him; his form, however, seemed more calculated
for a successful pedestrian than a pugilist, in
consequence of the heavier half of him being
from his hips to his feet. Turner was all that
could be wished; indeed, he was never in such
good trim before, and, excepting the weakness of
his knee, there was not the slightest uneasiness
by his friends as to the result. Much cautious
sparring for an opening occurred before a blow
was struck. Martin kept retreating a little, but
at length he made a hit, which was stopped
cleanly by Turner. Another pause, when Turner
made a slight hit, and Martin kept getting away.
Turner cool, and on the look-out, with his left
hand felt for the body of his opponent, and, in
returning, Martin threw his blow away. The
latter seemed rather tired with holding up his
hands, and on his looking down to the ground,
the good generalship of Turner was visible to
all the ring, as he immediately let fly on
Martin’s nob. The baker, however, disengaged
himself from a short rally, but in this spirt
one of his ogles got severely damaged, and the
claret was oozing out of the corner. Martin
retreated from the attacks of his opponent to
the corner of the ring, when some blows were
exchanged, and, on Martin’s going down, he
thought he had been hit improperly, as he
exclaimed, “Isn’t that foul?”

2.—Turner soon put in a bodier, and repeated
it without any return, but on attempting it a
third time Martin stopped him. Turner, with much
dexterity, put in a severe facer with his left
hand, and also a winder, but Martin made some of
his blows tell, and, in a severe struggle for
the throw, both went down.

3.—Martin did not attempt to hit first, or to
smash, as was anticipated, but kept retreating
till he was compelled to hit as it were in his
own defence. He again got into the corner of the
ring, pursued by his opponent; but, unlike the
Nonpareil, when in this perilous situation, he
did not appear to know how to extricate himself,
and went down from a hit.

4.—This was a manly round, and Martin made an
exchange of hits, and also endeavoured to fib
Turner. It was a sharp struggle, and both down,
but Turner undermost. “Well done, Martin;” and
the floury coves took a little courage, and
sported a dead man or two, as they thought upon
the improved suit.

5.—This round was a most mischievous one to
Martin, and materially reduced his strength. He
received a dreadful jobber right on his nose,
and some other ugly hits, and, after a severe
struggle, in going down Turner fell heavily upon
him.

6.—Martin came up to the scratch distressed, but
he commenced fighting, and hit Turner on the
nob. The latter received it with the most
perfect _sang froid_, and soon after put in a
throttler that almost deprived the baker of
breath. Turner followed it up by a bodier.
Martin tried to make a return but without
effect; and, in getting away from his opponent,
he staggered and fell from weakness.

7.—Martin made a good stop, but he soon went
down quite exhausted.

8.—The baker, with much courage, endeavoured to
plant two good hits, but Turner stopped them
with scientific excellence. Martin was very
weak, and kept getting away, till he got a facer
that sent him down, and his head rolled about
like a top. Twenty to five was now offered.

9.—Martin came staggering to the scratch, and it
was not long before he again found himself upon
the ground.

10.—The fine stopping of Turner put all the
well-meant efforts of Martin at defiance. This
was a good round, and Martin fought manfully
till he was fibbed down by Turner, who walked
away.

11 to 15.—Martin was getting better in the last
round, and threw his opponent.

16.—Turner not only had the best of the hitting,
but fell heavily upon Martin.

17 and 18.—Turner put in a severe blow on the
chest, and, in struggling for the throw, he
slung Martin round and round till he went down.

19.—The science of Turner, in stopping nearly
all the blows of Martin, convinced the good
judges that, without an accident, he was winning
cleverly. Martin, however, got Turner down in
this round, and it was a bad fall for the
latter.

20.—This was a sharp round, but nothing could
keep Martin from retreating to the corner of
the ring. Randall ordered the bottles to be
moved, and both of them went down from a sharp
struggle.

21 to 23.—It is true Martin was much better, but
he could not take the lead. Turner, however,
showed symptoms of weakness, and a little brandy
was given him to recruit. Both down in all these
rounds.

24 to 26.—The friends of Martin thought his
chance improved; and in the last round, in
throwing Turner, the bad knee of the latter
narrowly escaped the post as his leg came in
contact with it.

27 to 30.—Turner still fought cautiously, put in
a good one now and then, reducing the strength
of his opponent with ease to himself, and
certainty as to the event. The majority of these
rounds were in favour of Turner.

31.—Martin put in a sharp nobber, and also a
body blow, and had altogether the best of this
round, till they both went down.

32.—The baker felt elated with his success, and
went sharply to work, and put in another heavy
facer, and also some hits, till Turner went down
weak.

33.—Turner let fly on setting-to, and a dreadful
blow under the ear seemed almost to deprive
Martin of his recollection. He, however, got
away, and, upon endeavouring to make a stand, he
fell down exhausted.

34.—This round might be termed the _quietus_.
Some blows were exchanged, when Turner hooked
his opponent round the neck and hit him in the
body, ditto, ditto, ditto, ditto, and ditto, and
in struggling for the throw, while going down,
Martin received another heavy body blow. “Well
done, Turner,” and loud applause.

35.—The excellence displayed by Turner was of
the highest order. He was never seen to such
advantage before; and Angelo, in the best of his
days, could not have shown greater skill in
fencing than Turner did in parrying off the
attacks of his opponent. The knee of Turner
failed him in this round, and he slipped down
from a slight hit.

36.—This was a good round, and the hitting was
sharp on both sides. Martin exerted his last
effort, and put in some heavy blows, till Turner
slipped and went down.

37.—It was all up with Martin, and he was so
exhausted, that, in endeavouring to get away
from the punishment of Turner, it was said he
fell without a blow.

38.—This was a similar round, when Turner said,
“Jack, if I am to be beat, stand up and win
it like a man.” Martin was in such a state of
stupor as not to be able to reply.

39.—Martin was here so dead-beat that he again
fell down without a blow. Some murmurings
occurred, when the umpire said, “Martin,
recollect this is to be a stand-up fight.”

40 and last.—Martin endeavoured to put in a
blow, and went down from a slight hit. On the
baker being put upon his second’s knee, and time
called, Cribb said, “I believe we may say it’s
all over.”

REMARKS.—Martin was very much punished about the
throat, but particularly about his chest and
body, yet scarcely any claret was spilt on this
occasion. It was urged by some persons present
that it was not a good fight, and that Martin
did not show any pretensions to pugilism. It
should, however, be recollected that Martin was
opposed to one of the first boxers of the day,
and that all his efforts were stopped by the
superior skill of his opponent. Turner also
exhibited great improvement, and fought well
with his right hand. He showed himself a
complete general, for although he lost the toss,
he seldom failed by his manœuvres in the round
to place his adversary with his face to the sun.
The coolness of Turner was also greatly in his
favour; he can receive without being put out of
his course. The Nonpareil has now left the Ring,
but it may be said that Turner is also a
Nonpareil. It was urged that could Turner have
trusted to his knee, the fight would have been
over in fifty minutes instead of one hour and
seven (the time it lasted). He retired from the
contest almost without a scratch upon his face,
and it should be taken into the scale of
calculation that Martin is not to be got at so
very easy, as he is tall, and leans very
backward on setting-to. Turner was considerably
under eleven stone, and Martin eleven stone four
pounds.

Martin, it appears, was by no means satisfied with his defeat at the hands of Turner, but he resolved to have a little more experience in the prize ring before he essayed another match with that clever boxer.

Tom Belcher, when _Bacchi plenis_, at Cy. Davis’s opening dinner at the Bear and Ragged Staff, Smithfield, Wednesday, August 9, 1820, made a foolish challenge to Turner, and also Randall, to fight each for £500 a side, and articles were drawn and a deposit made. On the following Saturday, the fumes of the wine having evaporated, all parties shook hands in friendship, Belcher acknowledging it was the liquor that was speaking, and the affair, exaggerated into importance by “the historian” ended in smoke.

In the interim Martin had defeated, as we have already noted in the Life of RANDALL, _ante_, p. 351, Josh. Hudson, Cabbage, Phil. Simpson, and Dav. Hudson, and now challenged Turner to a second contest for £100 a-side. Ned could not in honour refuse, and on the 5th of June, 1821, our hero was defeated, as will be seen at length in the Life of MARTIN in the next chapter.

The success of Martin brought forward another old opponent. Cy. Davis, having beaten J. Bushell at Moulsey, and feeling mortified at his defeat by Turner, addressed a letter to Turner, and shortly after they met. Six to four was betted upon Davis, and the result justified the odds. The gallant Ned was out of condition, and fell before the strength and freshness of his youthful antagonist. See CY. DAVIS, in Appendix to this Period.

A new candidate for fistic honours, Peace Inglis, having beaten one Hamilton, a waterman, at Moulsey (in 1822), then Deaf Davis at Harpenden (in February, 1823), and lastly George Curtis, brother of the Pet (in August of the same year), was matched against Turner for £100. The battle took place, April 20, 1824, and the brave Ned again succumbed to youth and stamina.

Before the curtain finally falls upon the pugilistic career of Turner, we have a closing scene of triumph to redeem by a bright ray his setting sun. Challenged by Inglis, Ned at first declined to fight for less than £200, but was at last prevailed upon to make it £100, and Tuesday, November 9, 1824, being appointed, the former antagonists met at Colnbrook. The counter attraction of Lord Mayor’s Day, for it was then a pageant and a general city festival, thinned the road a little; but the regular ring-goers were there, and the old fanciers evinced high interest that the once glorious veteran should repair his recent reverses. His veteran daddy, “the sage of the East” (Tom Owen), who had been his companion for the last fortnight, keeping a watchful eye over Turner’s training at Walton, unfortunately met with an accident, and sprained his ankle, which prevented him from filling the position of second to his “darling boy.” Inglis looked well, and was confident of success, and, from his known bravery, was a fancy article, although the odds were against him. Turner first showed, attended by Tom Shelton and Harry Holt, and threw his hat into the ring. Inglis soon followed, but his castor (_absit omen_) fell outside of the ropes. Jem Ward and Ned Neale were his seconds. A brave fight was anticipated.

THE FIGHT.

Round 1.—On peeling, the ould one looked like
a new man. The renovating air of the Welsh
mountains appeared to have had the desired
effect upon the frame of Turner. He looked
steadily at his opponent, and made himself up
to do mischief, but Inglis avoided close
quarters. After some little dodging, an exchange
of blows, but nothing the matter. Inglis got
out of the corner well, but, in the middle of
the ring, he napped a hit, which gave him the
staggers. “Beautiful!” exclaimed the boys from
Bermondsey. Turner, on going in, received a
heavy right-handed blow between the ogles that
made him wink again, filling his eyes with
water, but no tears! This blow rather alarmed
his backers, and the face of Jack Randall
betrayed a serious aspect for the safety of
his friend. Turner missed an upper-cut blow,
which, in all probability, might have shortened
the battle. Inglis was very quick upon his legs,
but, although he made several motions to do
summut, the position of Turner was so difficult
that he could not get at him. Turner at length
planted a nobber, and Inglis fell on one knee.
(Huzzas, roars, and clapping of hands,
expressive of the joy felt by the Bermondseyites
at the success of Turner.)

2.—Turner was determined not to give another
chance away; and the hint, “He’s coming with
his right hand,” roared out by the eloquent
Holt, kept Turner awake. Inglis bobbed his
head once or twice; and it was lucky he did
so, as a chancery slice was in readiness for
him. Some heavy blows were exchanged, with
this difference, Turner stopped them, while
Inglis received. The latter got a severe
nose-ender, which not only uncorked the
claret, but left a stupefying quality behind
it. “Bravo, Turner; the ould one is a little
bit stronger than he was last time.” In a
scuffle, two little drops of blood appeared on
Turner’s cheek. In closing, both down.

3.—This was a short round. Ned was the hero
of the tale at this early part of the fight;
but “hopes and fears” were expressed as to his
strength. “If he can but last,” said a knowing
one, “it is as safe as the Bank.” The stops of
Turner were truly excellent; but Inglis bored
him to the ropes, and fell on him.

4.—Inglis got away from several rum ones; but he
never took the lead to do any mischief. Turner
planted in succession two heavy hits—stupefiers;
Inglis never flinched. Turner got Inglis down,
amidst most uproarious thunders of applause.

5.—This round added considerably to the odds in
favour of Turner. After two or three movements
of no effect, the ould one caught Inglis with a
cutting-up, or rather a cutting-down, blow, and
Inglis was floored. An artillery salute, and
seven to four offered freely.

6.—Inglis again napped a staggering blow, and
twirled round in a confused state; nevertheless,
he recovered himself, and fought like a good
one, till both went down, Inglis undermost.