Chapter III: , p. 77 (3)

3.—Street, on setting-to, planted a heavy hit
under Dick’s ear and got away, laughing and
nodding, by way of self-approbation. Some hits
were exchanged and both down.

4.—Street made play with his left hand and got
away. Hard fighting soon commenced, when Dick,
with spirit and judgment, drove his opponent to
the ropes, and hit him clean out of the ring.
(Great applause. Seven to four against Street.)

5.—Street met his man confidently, but his
blows, though often well directed, lost their
force from being open-handed; the best of the
hitting was on the side of Dick. In closing,
both down.

6.—Dick went down from a hit under his left arm;
but it appeared more owing to the slippery state
of the ground than the force of the blow.

7 and 8.—In the latter round Dick took the lead
in good style, hit his opponent quite away from
him, and followed him with success, making
several blows tell, till both went down.

9.—Street did not turn out quite so easy a
customer as Dick had imagined. The nob of the
former was rather the worse for the battle; but
no claret was to be seen about either. Could
Dick have used his left hand with any sort of
effect, he might have made greater progress
towards conquest. This was a milling round, and
both down in the close.

10.—Dick was rather distressed from his
exertions in the last round, and seemed rather
slow in quitting his second’s knee, which
excited much vociferation of “Time, time,” from
Lancaster. Paddington Jones was angry at this,
and offered to fight the former for his
uncalled-for noise. When at the scratch some
sharp hits were exchanged, and Street went down
from the severity of his opponent’s right hand.
(Two to one on Dick.)

11.—Street, it was evident, could not protect
his head from repeated facers; but he planted
a sharp body blow that moved Dick from his
station. The ground was in such a wet clayey
state that neither of the combatants could
stand firm. However, Dick sent Street down in
a twinkling. (“Bravo, Dick!” and five to two
was offered.)

12 to 15.—In the latter round Street hit his
opponent down, and planted so severe a blow on
one of Dick’s peepers that made it wink again.
Street felt flattered at this event, and clapped
his hands at Dick while on the knee of his
second.

16 and 17.—Dick slipped down from a slight hit;
he was evidently distressed. Oliver handed the
_eau de vie_ to his seconds, who instantly
administered the restorative cordial.

18 to 20.—In all these rounds Street appeared
the fresher, though his opponent had rather
the best of the milling. Dick’s eye was puffed
up and seemed dark, and Street anxiously
endeavoured to shut up the other.

21.—Street came to the scratch laughing and
nodding at Dick by way of derision; but the
latter gave him such a podger on the jaw that
not only spoiled the grin on his countenance,
but made him laugh on the wrong side of his
mouth. He finished the round by hitting him
down.

22.—Dick seemed to have recovered and reduced
Street to his pitch; he made his hits tell as
fast as he could plant them.

23.—The scale was now turning, Dick having it
all his own way. He planted four severe facers
without any return, and ultimately sent Street
down. (Five to one.)

24 to 27.—In these rounds Street scarcely
exchanged a blow before he was in the mud.

28 to 32.—It was all up with Street; he was down
every round. Dick very politely inquired how he
felt himself?

33.—Street, on leaving the knee of his second,
was asked by Dick “To come to his place, and
stand up like a man;” but he was again down, as
soon as Dick stepped towards him.

34 and last.—On setting-to, Street almost laid
himself down. He, however, got on his legs, but
seemed to avoid meeting his man, and so the
fight ended in thirty-one minutes.

REMARKS.—Considering that the above contest was
a made up mill on the spur of the moment, it was
far above mediocrity, although there was more
manhood than science displayed. The combatants,
too, it seems, were equally unprepared for the
event, Dick having been “navigating” early in
the morning, and “padded the hoof,” as it was
termed in what Ephemera calls the “faded flash
era,” down to the Hale. Street also had
pedestrianised it from Woolwich to the same
spot, a distance of twenty-two miles, which must
have operated as a considerable drawback upon
activity. Dick’s mug was rather battered; and
had not the frame of Street been of a close
texture, the repeated punishment he received
would have been much more visible. The latter,
though defeated, was not altogether satisfied
with the termination of the fight; and it was
thought not unlikely, at a future period, it
might lead to a more regular meeting. Dick was
now not above nine stone and half a pound, and
declared himself open to any man under ten stone
weight in the kingdom.

Colonel Barton and several amateurs of rank appeared on the ground. Randall, Parish, Scroggins, Oliver, Gibbons, Tom Belcher, etc., were also present.

A match was now proposed to Dick to enter the lists again with Jack, the butcher. Our game little hero accepted the challenge without hesitation, and on Tuesday, February 2, 1818, upwards of eight thousand persons assembled on Old Oak Common, Middlesex, to witness the battle. The fight was for 20 guineas a-side, in a twenty-four feet roped ring. From the size, strength, and weight of the knight of the cleaver (added to his promise of fighting like a man for once in his lifetime), he was backed by the _soi-disant_ knowing ones at six to four; but the steady amateurs who valued character, who admired pluck, and who were well assured that while a chance remained Dick would not quit the field, took the odds again and again as a safe thing. The event justified their judgment. At thirteen minutes past one o’clock, Dick, accompanied by his seconds, Randall and Paddington Jones, entered the ring and threw up his hat. Payne soon followed and answered the token of defiance, attended by the veteran Joe Ward and Dick Whale. The good old ceremony of shaking hands was then gone through, and the combat commenced.

THE FIGHT.

Round 1.—Jack set-to rather eagerly, but hit
short, when Dick’s right hand made free with his
opponent’s nob. In closing, Jack endeavoured to
fib West, but both went down.

2.—Jack seemed to feel as if he had still some
character left, and endeavoured to convince the
amateurs that he could fight. He gave Dick a
precious muzzler, and exchanged some sharp hits;
but when Dick put in a facer which produced the
claret, a slight trait of his old system peeped
out, and he went down not in the most gallant
style.

3.—This was a good round, and two minutes of
downright milling occurred. Jack put in two
desperate facers with much dexterity, and
likewise some sharp body hits. Dick was not
behindhand with his opponent, and exchanged hits
in a manly style till he sent Payne down.

4.—Payne hit his adversary till Dick got the
turn, when he followed the butcher all over the
ring; the latter’s mug was bleeding copiously.
Both down.

5.—Sharp work was the order of this round, and
reciprocal nobbers occurred. In closing, Dick
threw his adversary.

6.—Dick evidently took the lead, although he did
not escape severe punishment. Payne went down
from a heavy hit he received on his body; he
fell on his knees, and his nob bent forward on
the ground in a singular manner.

7.—After an exchange of blows Jack curred it
down from a facer. (“He’s coming it!” and
disapprobation.)

8.—Dick went down from the force of his own
blow.

9.—This round raised a blush upon the cheeks of
the game pugilists who witnessed the fight. A
boxer, at least twenty pounds heavier, and
taller, than his antagonist, positively turned
his back and ran away from a nine stone man,
after receiving a few sharp hits, and in a
manner laid himself down. (Loud hissing.)

10.—It was singular to observe how, when the
butcher forgot his fears, he fought in manly
style. In this round Jack had decidedly the best
of the milling: he planted two facers right and
left, and sent Dick down from a bodier. The
latter, while on his second’s knee, appeared
much exhausted, and brandy was applied with
success.

11.—Jack again took the lead: he planted two
dreadful hits right and left on Dick’s nob that
seemed nearly to stupefy him; but Dick,
game-cock like, went in with the most determined
confidence, changed the scene, and the butcher
rolled down from a hit.

12.—After an exchange of hits, Dick sent his
opponent down.

13.—Dick slipped down on one knee, but recovered
himself, and ultimately got his adversary down.

14 and 15.—Jack was down in both these rounds,
but not before Dick had received much mischief.

16.—Dick again slipped; but recovering himself
to meet his antagonist, received a desperate
blow near the mark that floored him. This was
bad judgment on the part of Dick.

17.—This was a singular round: both went down
from counter hits.

18 to 20.—One of Dick’s peepers was nearly
closed, and although he had not lost a single
drop of claret, he had received an unusual
degree of punishment. These rounds were rather
in favour of Dick.

21.—This was a grand round on the part of the
little one. He planted three facers with his
right hand without return; but Jack at length
got into work, and fought gaily till he went
down.

22 and 23.—Jack down in both these rounds; in
the latter he received so severe a facer that he
crimsoned all over in a twinkling.

24.—The butcher again administered some heavy
punishment. In closing, both down, when Jack
laughed at his antagonist.

25.—Jack went down from a hit in the throat.
(“Well done, Dick!”)

26.—There was nothing like stopping attempted
between the combatants; and several of the round
lunging blows told desperately. Dick again
received some terrible punishment about his nob
that made him stagger. Both down.

27.—Dick was now extremely weak, and his nob had
been so peppered that he could scarcely tell
what he was about; but his natural game prompted
him to proceed, and in consequence he floored
Jack from a desperate hit on his mouth. (Loud
shouting.)

28 to 30.—Although Payne curred it down in all
these rounds, it could not be considered exactly
safe to Dick. The butcher always hit his
opponent. In the last round the hats were thrown
up, in consequence of Jack’s not liking to leave
his second’s knee. (Five to one on Dick.)

31.—The butcher slowly appeared at the scratch,
and the terrible long faces of his backers
resumed a more cheerful appearance at the
chance. He fought this round tolerably well,
and, in closing, when Dick attempted to fib him,
held his hands till both went down.

32.—On setting-to, Jack fell down. (Hissing.)

33 to 37 and last.—In all these rounds the
butcher went down in a currish style, although
he generally planted a hit before he fell. He
could not have lost it had he possessed anything
like the heart of a true English boxer.
Thirty-five minutes and ten seconds had elapsed,
when victory was decided in favour of Dick. The
latter was led out of the ring almost deprived
of vision; and Jack leant across the ropes to
show, as usual, that he was quite sick of it.
It, however, cannot be denied that he took a
good share of milling, and was heavily hit about
the loins.

REMARKS.—Notwithstanding Dick’s well-known
bottom, it was physically impossible he could
have lasted three rounds more. Nature was
completely exhausted by the heavy punishment
he had received. Upon Dick s being put into
a coach he was for a short period stupefied,
which might have been owing to the heavy nobbing
hits he had undergone; and, in consequence of
not losing a single drop of blood, his head
was much swelled. Had Dick been anything but
a game cock, he could never have had the pluck
to have fought a man twenty-three pounds heavier
than himself, and in every respect a more
skilful boxer. Upon the whole, it was not a
contemptible fight. In this instance it was
admitted that the butcher “did the thing that
was right,” and was defeated against his will.
In a word, he was a boxer without “a heart,”
and it was a matter of great astonishment how
the amateurs could have suffered him again to
make his appearance in the prize ring, after
his unblushing effrontery in previously
acknowledging his being privy to a cross. His
backers, it was said, lost considerable sums in
consequence of his defeat.

Dick was matched with David Hudson, for 50 guineas a-side; but he was defeated, to the great surprise and mortification of his friends, in a few minutes. See DAVID HUDSON, Appendix, Period VI.

On Friday, September 11, 1818, Dick, for a purse of 20 guineas, fought with Davis, a navigator, belonging to the Chatham Dockyard, in a field near the Chatham Lines. For the first twelve rounds it was tremendous punishment and reciprocal fighting; but in the thirteenth round Davis dislocated his wrist, which compelled him reluctantly to acknowledge Dick as the conqueror.

Abbot, who had defeated Dolly Smith, at the Barge House, in Essex, after a long fight of 138 rounds, occupying two hours and fifty-five minutes, it seems looked forward to greater conquests. At a sporting dinner which took place on Tuesday, March 2, 1819, in the neighbourhood of Westminster, several of the milling coves looked in to see if any business had been cut out for them. Dick and Abbot, it appears, accidentally met each other, and, in consequence of some difference of opinion, Abbot threatened to mill the former. Dick replied with much spirit, it should not be long before he was served out for his insolence. A purse was subscribed by the amateurs, a large shed cleared and lighted up, and the combatants stripped, attended by seconds and umpire, with all the regularity of a Moulsey Hurst contest. Randall and a gentleman amateur took Dick under their especial care; and Abbot was equally well looked after by Richmond and Hopping Ned. Dick was terribly out of condition, much distressed, and totally unfit for fighting; and the state of Abbot was a few degrees removed from condition; but, it being election time, some excuse was admitted on account of his “voting for Lushington.” For thirty-five minutes the battle raged with manliness, activity, and hard hitting. The left hand of Dick was seen to greater advantage than usual, while his right dealt out tremendous punishment. Abbot was equally on the alert, the body of Dick serving for a drum. Abbot, it is said, gave in twice. At the expiration of an hour and ten minutes, when “time” was called, he left his second’s knee, but so completely exhausted that he could not put up his hands; the umpire requested Dick not to hit him in that defenceless state, and victory was declared in his favour. Dick cross-buttocked his opponent several times with great adroitness, but did not win without receiving heavily, and from the manliness he displayed, and the weight against him, he received much praise. It was three to one on Abbot in the early part of the fight, and a great deal of betting occurred, the tens and twenties flying about like waste paper. Dick was offered to be backed to fight Abbot in a ring for £50 a-side.

Dick fought a Clerkenweller of the name of Parsing, in a long but narrow room, in the neighbourhood of Smithfield, before a few swell amateurs, for a purse to the winner, and £1 to the loser, on Tuesday evening, June 13, 1820, at ten o’clock at night. Randall and Scroggins seconded Dick, and Purcell and Tisdale were for Parsing. It was all over in eleven rounds, occupying fifteen minutes. No claret was drawn. Parsing would not fight any more, observing, Dick was too much for him in a room, but he would fight Dick in a ring for £10 a-side of his own money. Parsing, though much taller than Dick, had not a shadow of chance. The latter hero challenged Tisdale to fight before he put on his clothes, as the battle just over had not afforded any amusement to the amateurs; but Tisdale refused, stating he should obtain no credit if he won it. “Never mind,” replied Dick, “I’ll risk it.” Tisdale then publicly acknowledged that he did not think himself competent to cope with Dick in a room.

Dick fought a most tremendous battle with Jack Cooper, the Windsor Gipsy, on Epsom Downs, May 16, 1820, but he was defeated in twenty-nine rounds. See GIPSY COOPER, Appendix, Period VI.

A small subscription purse, for a second fight, at Banstead Downs, on Tuesday, July 4, 1820, was contested for between West Country Dick and Parsing. Dick was the favourite six to four. Parsing had been defeated by Dick in a room, as we have just related, but flattered himself, from his length, that he could conquer Dick in a ring. Randall and Paddington Jones seconded the latter, and Purcell and Holt attended upon Parsing. Twenty-nine rounds took place, occupying twenty-eight minutes. The latter, it appeared, could not take punishment; and the severe bodiers given to him by Dick made him grin again. Parsing went down almost every round, and finally surrendered.

In consequence of the storm having separated the amateurs rather in a hurry at North Walsham, on Monday, July 17, at the close of Martin and the Birmingham Youth’s battle, the fancy found themselves weather-bound at Norwich, and in lack of amusement, when a novice of the name of Redgreaves offered himself to the notice of a London swell for a turn-up with Dick. It was thought Redgreaves was a yokel; but, upon further scrutiny, it turned out that he was a Clerkenweller, and, like some others of the milling tribe, fancied he could fight a bit, and was determined to chance it. Dick, the game little Dick, always ready to improve his circumstances, did not value giving a few pounds in weight to his opponent; and, after the London manner, this battle took place in an elegant room, by candle-light, only a few being admitted to the exhibition. At eleven o’clock on Tuesday night, July 18, Dick stripped, Randall and Shelton taking him under their especial care. Redgreaves was well attended by Purcell and O’Donnell. Five to four on Dick.

THE FIGHT.

Round 1.—Dick, without hesitation, went to
work to ascertain what sort of pluck this new
customer possessed; but Redgreaves was not
intimidated, and returned the compliment as
quickly. The result was that Dick went down.

2.—Redgreaves seemed full of fight, and a hard
hitter; exchanged blows with his adversary in a
manly manner. Dick put in a tremendous nobbing
right-handed blow, but in a struggle was thrown.

3.—Dick’s nob received some sharp pepper in this
round; he, nevertheless, got Redgreaves down.

4.—A complete milling round on both sides.
Redgreaves had none the worst of it. Both went
down.

5.—Redgreaves got Dick under his arm and fibbed
him heavily, but the latter extricated himself,
turned round, and went down.

6.—Dick missed a heavy blow, and fell.

7.—This was a good round. Redgreaves showed he
was a heavy hitter, and nearly stove in Dick’s
ribs. The latter gnashed his teeth and went
down.

8.—Dick was thrown heavily.

9.—Dick put in a tremendous bodier that gave his
opponent some losing notions, but went down.

10.—Redgreaves came to the scratch cruelly
distressed. Randall offered a guinea to a crown
that he would not fight above another round.

11 and last.—Dick unscrewed the pepper-box,
and dealt out the punishment so hard and so
fast that Redgreaves went down, and could not
come to the scratch. It was over in fifteen
minutes. Dick got £9, and Redgreaves £ 2 10_s._
The ribs of the former were terribly swelled.
Redgreaves was not a very easy customer, and
the well-breeched yokels pronounced it a manly
fight.

Dick, for a small subscription purse, fought Mason (well known at the Fives Court, for his repeated sets-to with Lennox) at Chesterfield Races, on Thursday, July 27, 1820. Mason had not the slightest chance whatever, and Dick was pronounced conqueror in sixteen minutes.

Dick entered the lists with a man of the name of Hellick, a shipwright, for a purse of £ 15, at Kit’s Cot House, three miles and a half from Maidstone, on Monday, August 21, 1820. The milling fame of Dick, who had fought nineteen prize battles, five of which occurred within the short space of four months, attracted a numerous assemblage of persons. Hellick was a well-known good man, upwards of a stone heavier than Dick. Bob Purcell and Jackson handled the former; Shelton and Cooper attended upon the latter. Dick was quite out of condition, but he was never out of pluck; and a good battle was the result of their exertions. It occupied twenty-six minutes, and nineteen rounds were spiritedly contested. Dick emptied the pepper-box upon his opponent’s mug in the first fourteen rounds, and made many severe attacks upon his victualling office; but the game of Hellick was not to be reduced, and in the fifteenth, sixteenth, seventeenth, and eighteenth rounds, Dick had it in such severe style that the shipwright, it was thought, would come into harbour victorious; but in the nineteenth and last round, Dick, by a sort of _coup de grace_ effort, gave Hellick a forgetter, added to a sharp cross-buttock; he fell upon his neck, and it was all U P, to the great mortification of the yokels, who had sported their money on the dockyard man.

We have met with no record of the death of this pugilist.

ABY BELASCO—1817‒1824.

During the thirty years preceding 1820, it is but candid to admit that the Jews made a very prominent feature in the pugilistic circles; but from the period that “Old Time” compelled Mendoza to retire from the field of fame, and defeat and death removed Dutch Sam from the prize ring, the glories of the children of Judah became overcast. Indeed, such men as the two first-named were rather a disadvantage even to good ones who might come after them. A century might elapse before two such boxers as Mendoza and Dutch Sam appeared in the prize ring, although for some time the “peoplesh” endeavoured to set up the subject of the present sketch in their place.

Aby Belasco was born on the 9th of April, 1797, and when he first exhibited with the gloves, he gave such promising milling specimens that high hopes were entertained by the Israelites, and their expectations were increased from his conquests, in succession, over Cribb’s coal-heaver, Josh. Hudson, and Payne.

Belasco was in his day a boxer of superior talent, a master of the science, not wanting for game, not deficient in strength, of an athletic make, a penetrating eye, and in the ring full of life and activity. His fighting weight was ten stone and a half, and in height Abraham was five feet six inches and a half.

Belasco’s first battle of note was with a man denominated “Cribb’s coal-eaver,” in consequence of his being under the patronage of the champion. This contest was for a subscription purse of five guineas, collected for a second fight. The activity and science displayed by Belasco on this occasion attracted the attention of the amateurs, and he was viewed as a pugilist of rising abilities. In the course of thirty minutes the superiority of Belasco was so decisive that the coal-heaver was glad to acknowledge he had had enough. Belasco now obtained the general patronage of the Jews.

Near the Barge House at Woolwich, Belasco entered the lists with the afterwards renowned Josh Hudson. It was a well-fought battle on both sides, and was contested with great spirit and science for one hour and thirty minutes, when the smiles of victory again crowned the efforts of the promising Israelite.

Our hero, it seems, was down at Moulsey Hurst on Thursday, April 3, 1817, to witness the fight between Randall and West Country Dick, and, not to lose sight of the “main chance,” he filled up his time on the ground in disposing of oranges, thus uniting pleasure with profit, when he was unexpectedly called upon to enter the ring with “Jack the butcher” (Payne), for a subscription purse. Belasco, without hesitation, put down his basket of fruit, peeled himself instead of his oranges, and instantly prepared for action.

He was seconded by two of his own people; Jack was attended by Paddington Jones and Dolly Smith.

THE FIGHT.

Round 1.—Jack, full of bustle, went to work,
planted three hits, and had the best of the
round till they closed, when Belasco got him
against the ropes, fibbed Jack severely, and
both went down.

2.—The latter did not appear to like the Jew,
and held down his head. Belasco went in with
great gaiety, again fibbed the Butcher, and
dropped him.

3.—This was a spirited round, and Jack showed
fight. Some good blows were exchanged, till the
fibbing system was introduced by the Jew, when
both went down, Belasco undermost.

4.—The Butcher’s nob now showed the handywork of
the Jew, the claret was flowing copiously. In
this round Belasco appeared to do as he liked
with his opponent: he punished him in all
directions, and, by way of concluding, like a
good workman, floored the Butcher, and jumped
over him as he lay on the ground. (Great
shouting.)

5.—Jack appeared at the scratch, but he soon ran
himself down.

6.—The Jew behaved like a true Christian in this
round. He had it all his own way; but when he
got the Butcher on the ropes, in a perilous
situation, he was too manly to take advantage of
it, lifting up his hands and walking away amidst
thunders of applause.

7.—Belasco nobbed Jack with the utmost ease, and
ultimately sent him down. It was rather a sharp
round.

8.—In closing, the Jew fibbed his opponent
terribly, till both fell over the ropes. (Seven
to four on Belasco.)

9.—It was evident the Butcher wished to avoid
the fist of his adversary: he held down his
head. In struggling, both again out of the
ropes.

10.—Jack turned away from his man, but got
peppered for so doing, and was ultimately sent
down.

11.—The Butcher could not keep his head out of
chancery, and was floored. (Great applause.)

12.—Jack seemed quite sick, and curred it down
without a blow. (Disapprobation.)

13.—Both down, but Belasco took the lead.

14.—After the exchange of a few blows, Jack was
fibbed down, his face covered with claret.

15.—If the Butcher possessed anything like
resolution or bottom he might have stood some
chance; but his fighting was all momentarily,
either desperate or currish. Cool judgment did
not work any of his attempts. He, nevertheless,
made some good hits; but, in closing, was again
fibbed till both went down. (Any odds upon the
Jew.)

16 and last.—The Butcher ran at the Jew
furiously, but it was too late to turn the
scale, and he received such a floorer that he
would not again appear at the scratch. The
battle continued seventeen minutes and a half.
Belasco retired from the contest without a
scratch, and proved the conqueror in first-rate
style.

In consequence of the friends of Davis, the milkman, paying forfeit to Belasco, he was hastily matched with Reynolds. In this battle he sustained defeat.[168]

Notwithstanding this reverse of fortune, Aby’s partisans did not desert him, and he was considered an able competitor for the accomplished Randall. He was accordingly matched with the Nonpareil, eight weeks only having elapsed since his heavy fight with Reynolds. It is true Belasco was defeated, but it is equally true that he gained much approbation as a skilful boxer; and the battle between the Jew and Randall, in a scientific point of view, stands equal to anything on the records of pugilism. See RANDALL, _ante_, p. 333.

While Belasco was on a sparring tour with Mendoza in Gloucestershire, in the summer of 1818, he fought the Winchcomb champion, on the race-course at Cheltenham, a thirteen stone man, for 20 guineas a-side. Abraham won in the short space of twelve minutes.

In the same year, on the 9th of December, Belasco entered the lists at Coventry with Joe Townsend, who was considered the leading boxer in that place. Townsend fancied that he could beat Belasco off hand, and put down his watch and five guineas to back himself. He was a twelve stone man. Aby at that period only weighed ten stone ten pounds. Belasco proved conqueror in twenty-four minutes.

On Aby’s returning to London he was matched with Phil. Sampson for 50 guineas a-side. The battle took place at Potter’s Street, in Essex, twenty-one miles from London, on Tuesday, February 22, 1819. This fight was brought to a wrangle, but the money was ultimately given up to Belasco. See Life of PHIL. SAMPSON, Period VI.

The Jew and the Birmingham Youth were continually quarrelling upon the subject, and a second fight took place between them. See _ibid_. A third fight, with the gloves, at the Tennis Court (_ibid_); and a fourth also occurred before doubts about each other’s merits could be decided (_ibid_).

Belasco left London for Bristol to fight Cabbage for 100 guineas a-side, in October, 1820; but, on his arrival in the above city, the friends of Cabbage would not advance the money. Belasco, however, was well received by the Bristolians, who, to make up for his disappointment, gave him a most excellent benefit.

In the autumn of 1820 Aby was down at Norwich, with most of the London pugilists, to witness the second mill between Ned Painter and Tom Oliver (detailed in this history, in the Life of PAINTER, vol. ii., pp. 85‒88), when, on the following day, some little misunderstanding occurred between an amateur of Norwich and Belasco, the latter challenging the swell with offering his brother, Izzy Belasco, a sum of money to fight a cross with the Bergh Apton groom; the amateur hereon offered Josh. Hudson £5 if he would give the Jew a thump on the head for his insolence. This, however, passed over; but when the sherry was circulating quickly, at Gurney’s Bowling Green, some chaffing occurred between these old opponents, and Hudson struck Belasco. This was enough, and which was better man was decided instantly upon an elegant Turkey carpet. Spring supported the claims of Josh. Hudson; the Master of the Rolls gave his assistance to the scientific Israelite; and thirty-five rounds were contested in the most spirited manner, occupying upwards of forty minutes. Hudson was terribly punished about the head; but such was his determined courage that, although his shoulder went out two or three times, and was reduced to its proper situation by Spring, yet he insisted upon renewing the battle, and continued to fight till Belasco observed, they were both weak, and that, as he should get nothing, he (Belasco) would not contend any longer, but that he would fight Hudson for £100 in London at any time the latter would appoint. Belasco unquestionably won the fight, as he twice waited upwards of one minute while the shoulder of Hudson was reduced. The Birmingham Youth gave his bets, two guineas, as did Spring, one guinea, to Hudson. Belasco received a dreadful hit on his right eye; but this blow, the Jew asserted, was given previous to fighting. Hudson was rather inebriated; and next morning, in company with Scroggins, went to an eminent surgeon, who not only pronounced that his shoulder had been “out of its place,” but advised Hudson to take great care of himself, as he would not be enabled to enter the ring again for at least a twelvemonth. This affair took place on Wednesday, July 19, 1820.

Aby’s next turn was with Phil. Sampson (third battle, December 21, 1820), a glove fight, already noticed in a paragraph above.

Pat Halton was about this time brought out as a wonder. According to report he had beaten all Irish opponents in an unapproachable style. He was in height five feet eleven inches, and in weight eleven stone. His fame, which had gone before him, was challenged by Aby Belasco for £50 a-side, and the event came off at Harpenden Common, near St. Alban’s, on the 8th of April, 1823.

Aby arrived on the ground in a barouche and four, supported by some swells of his tribe; and at one o’clock his seconds, Richmond and Ben Burn, threw up his topper. In a few minutes, Pat Halton, arm-in-arm with his backer, a sporting Irish captain, followed by Randall and Josh. Hudson, repeated the token of defiance. The odds were guineas to pounds on Belasco. Tho colours, yellow for the Jew, and green (_à la_ Randall) for Halton, were tied to the stakes.

THE FIGHT.

Round 1.—On stripping, the lathy appearance of
Paddy astonished his backers beyond description:
his ribs were bare, his legs and arms were thin,
his countenance pale, his lips white, and, in
fact, he was as light as a cork. Belasco, on the
contrary, was never in more prime trim. Some
little squaring at each other occurred, when the
Jew gave his opponent a tap on the cheek; Paddy
returned without effect. Halton again missed.
A long pause. Belasco planted another facer
without any return. Halton’s right hand missed
the Jew. At length some exchanges took place,
and Belasco hit Halton as he was going down.

2.—The Irishman showed first blood; he had
napped a clumsy thump on his left ear. After a
few exchanges, in a close, the Jew fibbed his
opponent; but Halton got the throw, and Belasco
was undermost.

3.—The Jews were in raptures, and the judges of
milling had made up their minds as to the
result. Belasco hit his opponent on the body
without any return; a facer ditto. This conduct
made Halton angry, and he missed the Jew.
Belasco gave another bodier without return; also
a nobber Halton missed; in fact, he did not come
near enough to hit his opponent. Belasco again
fibbed his opponent at the ropes, but Halton got
the throw. (Six to four on the Jew.)

4 and 5.—Belasco bodied his opponent several
times, and got away with the greatest ease. In
the latter round Belasco caught hold of his
adversary by the hip. Randall said, “Foul! and
if Belasco did so again he would take Halton out
of the ring.”

6.—It was evident the Irishman had no chance; he
went down from a hit.

7.—Belasco received a severe lunging hit on
the side of his head. The leariness of the Jew
was peculiarly striking in this round. Belasco
gave Halton a body blow, and got away cleverly;
repeated this liberty, tried it on a third time
with equal success, when Aby burst out into a
loud laugh. Halton endeavoured to return, but
his hits were all out of distance.

8.—Halton missed numerous hits. A short rally
took place, and the Irishman’s head was sent out
of the ropes; but he got it in the ring again,
when his left eye was nearly hit up. A pause.
Halton missed his adversary, when the Jew gave
him a clean knock-down blow.

9.—This was a sharp round, and Belasco received
two or three hits on his body and arms. Some
exchanges took place, and as the Jew was
endeavouring to get away he received a hit on
the chest that floored him, but he jumped on his
knees instantly. (A rare shout for Halton.)

10.—The Irishman’s face was clareted, and he
had napped pepper: he never had a chance of
winning. Some exchanges took place, but to
the disadvantage of Halton, although the Jew
went down. (Murmurs from Halton’s party; and
exclamations, “The Jew went down without a
hit!”)

11 and last.—On appearing at the scratch,
Halton’s nob was materially altered, from the
punishment in the last round; and Belasco made
an attempt at finishing his work. Some sharp
blows passed, and the Irishman went down.
Belasco, in falling, touched the face of his
opponent with one of his knees. Randall called
out “Foul!” and said he would take his man out
of the ring. Halton said to the umpires, “It is
foul!” The latter replied they saw nothing
unfair, and desired the fight to proceed.
Randall, however, took his man out of the ring,
regardless of their decision; and when time was
called, Belasco appeared at the scratch. Hudson,
who had not left his post, and in the bustle had
lost sight of Randall and Halton, was looking
after them; but the Jew, having no opponent to
meet him, was declared by the umpires to be the
winner. Considerable confusion ensued, and a
comical scene tied up the matter, producing
roars of laughter from the spectators in the
wagons. Tho roped ring was instantly filled with
persons of every description, all eager to learn
the event. A Babel row commenced, followed by a
general fight, and many blows were given and
received. It was the general opinion that Halton
could not have fought two more rounds. However
all the bets, or nearly so, were paid, and the
stakes given up to Belasco upon the stakeholder
receiving the undersigned document.

“_To the Stakeholder, the President of the D. C._

“SIR,

“We are of opinion, as umpires of the battle
between Belasco and Halton, that Belasco won the
fight fairly, and is entitled to the stakes.

“J. H.
“J. B. C.

“_April 9, 1823._”

Belasco left the ring almost without a mark. The
battle had lasted twenty-seven minutes when the
interruption took place.

Belasco a fourth time met Sampson, at Crawley Hurst, August 19, 1823, and was once again beaten. See SAMPSON, Period VI.

Resolved not to close his fistic career in defeat, Belasco, though he had formally retired and become an L. V. in Whitechapel, presented himself, after Dick Curtis and Ayres had finished their battle at Shepperton Grange, May 25, 1824, with the enquiry whether George Weston, who had promised Aby a thrashing, intended to carry out his threat? The insult to Belasco, it appears, had occurred during the fight between Ned Neale and Tom Gaynor. Weston declared his readiness, and £16 were immediately put into a purse by the amateurs. The battle was a burlesque: Aby so punished Weston all over the ring, that he surrendered after three rounds.

From this period Aby figured merely as a second and a sparrer. His later career was disreputable, as a keeper of low gambling houses, night houses, supper rooms, and such like resorts of midnight and morning debauchery, which brought him into repeated conflicts with the law. His life no further concerns the history of the ring.

CY. DAVIS, “THE GAY BRISTOL BOY”—1818‒1823.

Cyrus Davis was one of those boxers who shine with a reflected light, borrowed from the renown of the man they have conquered; his defeat of the game and scientific Ned Turner establishing his claim to notice, and also his extensive acquaintance as a tradesman, in after life, first in the vicinity of old Smithfield Market, where for many years he was landlord of the Bear and Ragged Staff, of the Plough, in Giltspur Street, and subsequently an L. V. at the New Cattle Market, Islington.

Cyrus was born in the Broadway, Bristol, November 27, 1795, and was, at fourteen years of age, apprenticed to a butcher. His height was five feet nine inches, his weight a trifle under eleven stone, far exceeded in his later days. His appearance was prepossessing, and his first lessons in the art were received from his townsman, George Nicholls, celebrated as the only conqueror of Cribb. Pierce Egan gives the usual early undated victories to Davis, which we pass to come to his first recorded London display.

Davis was introduced to the cognoscenti of the metropolis by Tom Belcher, and attracted much notice by his activity in sparring and decisive precision of hitting. Cy. was taken down to Rickmansworth by his patron, on Friday, June 10, 1818, to witness the battle between Neat and Oliver (see NEAT, Vol. II., Period V., Chapter IV.) That event decided, there was a purse of twenty guineas to be disposed of, five guineas for the loser. Abraham Belasco offered himself, when young Cyrus, stepping into the ring, offered to accommodate the circumcised champion. The members of the P. C. were delighted. Tom Belcher and Tom Cribb volunteered themselves as seconds to the young Bristolian, and the Israelite was picked up by Tom Jones and Cropley. Two to one on Davis.

THE FIGHT.

Round 1.—The style of fighting exhibited by Cy.
was something after the manner of Tom Belcher
when that pugilist first entered the London
ring. Davis went to work rapidly, with one,
two. It was a sharp round altogether; but Davis
took the lead and sent Belasco down. (Great
applause.)

2.—One of Davis’s eyes was a little touched,
but he again went sharply to work. The Jew, in
closing, endeavoured to fib his opponent, and
also threw him.

3.—This was a short round. Davis went down from
a slight hit, or rather a slip; he instantly
jumped up laughing, ready to renew the attack,
but Belasco sat down on his second’s knee.

4.—The liveliness of Davis was the admiration of
the ring. He had it all his own way this round,
and, with a tremendous right-handed hit, he
floored Belasco. (Tumultuous applause.) 5 to 2
on Davis.

5.—Cy. endeavoured to repeat the dose, but
without the desired effect. The Jew received
some sharp facers, but in return got Davis down.

6.—In this round the fine science displayed by
Belasco was much praised. He stopped six blows
in succession of his opponent: nevertheless
Belasco was sent down.

7.—Some sharp work, till Belasco, in closing,
fibbed Davis severely till he went down.

8.—The milling talents of Davis in this round
were conspicuous: he dealt out much severe
punishment to Belasco with his right hand, and
with great quickness gave the Jew a back-hander,
when he went down like a shot. (Tumultuous
applause, and “It’s all your own, Davis.”)

9.—Belasco looked rather queerish on arriving at
the scratch, when Davis finished him with a
right-handed flooring hit. It was all over in
ten minutes. Belasco would not fight any more.

REMARKS.—Davis throughout the above battle was
as gay as a dancing-master. His appearance and
mode of hitting prepossessed the amateurs in
his favour. The quickness of Davis was truly
astonishing, undressing himself, getting into
the ring, and winning the battle only occupied
our hero fifteen minutes. Belasco, it was urged
by his own “peoplesh,” was not in condition; and
therefore the £5 had some charms for him as a
losing man. However, he could not have won that
day.

Davis, soon after this battle, returned to follow his business at Bristol, but he had made so strong an impression on the amateurs that Cy. was soon brought to town and matched against Ned Turner for 100 guineas a-side. They fought at Wallingham Common, Surrey, on Friday, June 18, 1819. How he was defeated may be seen at p. 385, _ante_.

Moulsey Hurst, the delight of the fancy for its velvet turf, was, on Tuesday, August 24, 1819, again selected for a British and Irish pugilistic display of manhood. Boshell, recently imported from Paddy’s Land, was known on the Curragh from a spirited turn-up there, but an entire stranger to the London prize ring, except from the good character given of him by Randall. In a trial set-to with the latter it was thought by some of his countrymen that he might establish himself among the light weights; therefore he was backed for 50 guineas a-side. Davis’s recent defeat with Turner had placed him rather in the back-ground; but the good judges viewed it as an easy thing for the “Bristol Boy,” and two to one on Davis was offered on the preceding evening at the sporting houses. The old ring goers and a sprinkling of the Corinthians were present. On the Commander-in-chief[169] and his party crossing the water, the combatants were ordered to prepare for action; and Boshell, with much confidence, threw his hat into the ring, attended by Tom Jones and Larkins. Davis, waited upon by Harmer and Shelton as his seconds, answered the challenge. The hands were crossed in friendship, and the men set-to.

THE FIGHT.

Round 1.—Boshell looked compact and well, but
the remains of a small blister appeared on his
lower ribs. Davis was as fine as could be
wished, and smiled as if confident of success.
The attitude and manner of Boshell soon
convinced the amateurs that science was not his
_forte_. Davis tapped him on the arm and got
away; ditto and ditto; some little sparring;
when Davis let fly, and a sharp facer was the
result. Two or three awkward exchanges occurred,
and Boshell planted a heavy body hit. They
fought into a close, and, after some little
struggling, Davis was thrown, and undermost.
(Seven to four, and two to one was loudly
offered on Davis.)

2.—The Bristol Boy soon put in a facer, that not
only drew the pink, but seemed like an electric
shock on the upper works of poor Paddy. Some
awkward blows again passed. The Irishman got the
throw. (Three to one upon Davis.)

3.—Davis, with his left hand, put one of Paddy’s
eyes into mourning. Boshell, however, made some
good stops, but he had not a single point
towards finishing a round well. Davis was again
undermost. (All betters; and “It will soon be
over,” was the cry.)

4.—Boshell showed himself as game a bit of stuff
as ever peeled in this round. The hitting was
sharp on both sides, but Davis got away, and
Boshell, in following him, received one of the
Bristol Boy’s lunging hits on the nose, when he
instantly fell on his face, the claret flowing
rapidly. (“It’s all up now; he can’t fight two
more rounds.” Oliver offered five to one on
the last event, and twenty to one he lost the
battle.)

5.—Boshell came up distressed, but game as a
Purcell, and endeavoured to lash out. He was,
however, milled all over the ring, and fell at
the ropes, rolling over on his face exhausted.

6.—The mug of Paddy was a picture of punishment;
both his eyes damaged and his face altogether
changed. Fresh milling was added, but he
nevertheless threw Davis.

7.—This was a sharp round. Boshell went down
exhausted. (“It’s poundable—take him away.”)

8.—The claret was now trickling down the nose
of Davis. After some heavy exchanges they broke
from a close, and Boshell fought till he fell
on his knees, and caught hold of the ropes
distressed.

9.—Davis winked to his friends that it was all
right, and planted three facers in succession.
Boshell, however, showed the fight was not taken
out of him, and again threw his opponent a heavy
fall. (“Bravo, Boshell, you are a game fellow!”)

10.—The face of the Irishman was piteous.
Boshell went down.

11.—In struggling for the throw, Davis slipped
on his knees. This was thought unhandsome; but
Boshell held up his hands, not to hit him foul.
(“Bravo!” from all parts of the ring.)

12.—Boshell endeavoured to make some hits, but
went down exhausted.

13.—Boshell was floored like a shot, from a
tremendous lunging blow on his nob. (Any odds.)

14.—Boshell, groggy, was hit down, but in
falling he caught the ropes.

15.—Boshell came up staggering, and soon went
down. Time was called, and it was thought he had
given up. Davis’s hat was thrown into the air,
and the outer ring broken.

16.—Boshell said he was not done, and another
round took place, but he was hit down. Paddy
was, however, so game, he declared he would not
say “No.” He had no chance, and was taken away.
Davis, elated with his success, jumped over the
ropes out of the ring, without a scratch. It was
over in fifteen minutes and ten seconds.

REMARKS.—If any remarks can be made, a few words
will suffice. Boshell is a game, a very game
man, and his courage was the admiration of the
ring; but as a fighter has no pretensions.
Indeed he was little more than a plaything in
the scientific hands of Davis.

At Spring’s benefit at the Fives Court, on Tuesday, November 2, 1819, our hero made a considerable impression upon the minds of the amateurs, by the display of science in a set-to with the Nonpareil. Upon the appearance of Randall, followed by Cy. Davis, the audience seemed extremely anxious for the set-to. The confidence of the “Bristol Boy” astonished all; he exhibited considerable improvement. In fact, with the gloves, the Nonpareil never met such a successful opponent before. Davis did not get off without a good receipt of Randall’s talents; nevertheless, the former put in two or three dexterous facers and made some fine stops. The fanciers were all alive; the Court rang with applause. It was generally admitted that the advantage was on the side of Davis. Upon pulling off the gloves another round was called for and complied with. Both the combatants were now upon the alert, and it was a fine specimen of skill and courage. A well-contested long rally occurred, and Davis again acquitted himself in such good style as to raise his character in the sporting world.

Davis felt so much mortified at his defeat by Turner that he was often heard to say that he should never feel satisfied until he had the chance at least of a second trial with his brave opponent. This feeling accounts in some measure for his not showing in the prize ring, or figuring in the “gag” correspondence and boxing challenges then so much in vogue in the “sporting” press. However, somebody made some letters for him about fights with Gipsy Cooper, Phil. Sampson, and Turner, which Pierce Egan prints with the curious foot-note, “This letter was a _hoax_!” (“Boxiana,” vol iv., p. 166.)

On the second match being made, at the Castle Tavern, Holborn, between Turner and Cy. Davis for £100 a-side, the following remarks appeared in the _Weekly Dispatch_:—

“Davis is decidedly the favourite five to four, and in a few instances, for small sums, six to four is betted. It is nearly four years since, June 18, 1819, at Wallingham Common, that Davis was defeated by Turner in thirty-two rounds, forty-five minutes. Turner also defeated Martin in forty rounds, one hour and seven minutes, October 26, 1819; but since that period Ned has in turn surrendered to Martin. Davis won with Boshell, August 24, 1819, in sixteen rounds, fifteen minutes and ten seconds. This might be termed no match. The most important point taken into consideration by the sporting men in this battle is the modes of life pursued by the combatants for the last three years. Davis has lived regularly, and added to the good effects of training; he is as fresh as a ‘four year old,’ ‘fine as a star,’ and as confident of victory as if the battle was over. Would we could say so much for ‘poor Ould Ned;’ indeed, a few months since an opinion was entertained by the supporters of pugilism that Turner was more likely to make his exit than to show again in the prize ring. However, Ned laughs at these remarks, and asserts he is quite well.”

The fight took place at Harpenden Common, twenty-five miles from London, and four from St. Alban’s, on Tuesday, February 18, 1823.

On the Monday night previous to the battle, the Castle Tavern, although overflowing with company, was a blank as to betting. This sort of silence on a night previous to a mill occasioned one of the most respectable ring goers, and a sound sporting man for the previous twenty-five years, to observe sarcastically—“It was a square fight between Turner and Davis, which accounted for chaffing instead of betting. Ready made luck,” said he, “is wanting, and therefore a certain Bet of people will not chance a crown without the office ‘to a certainty’ is to be had in private. Nevertheless, I am glad of it,” concluded the wag, “it will bring the prize ring back to the good old times (although ‘honesty is a ragged virtue’), when such men as the late Colonel Mellish and Fletcher Reid brought their men into the ring, exclaiming, without fear of anything being attempted on the part of the boxers to do wrong, ‘I’ll bet 600 to 400.’”

The weather on Tuesday morning was rather inauspicious to a long journey, yet it did not prevent the thorough-bred ones from starting for the scene of action. At one o’clock Cy. Davis threw up his castor, followed by Richmond and Harmer as his seconds. Turner, close at his heels, arm-in-arm with the President of the Daffy Club, followed his example, attended by Tom Cribb and Josh. Hudson. Five to four on Davis. Cy., smiling, went up and shook hands with Ned. The colours, blue for Turner and yellow for Davis were tied to the stakes by Cribb and Richmond.

THE FIGHT.