Chapter I: Tom Sayers (champion).――1849-1860 (2)

Many of Tom’s friends were displeased with the match, which they considered presumptuous on his part, and declared that he was completely overmatched, as it was known Poulson could not fight under 12st., and Sayers to be well ought to be more than a stone under that amount. At first he had some difficulty in finding supporters, but that was happily got over by the influence of one of the staunchest Corinthian fanciers of modern times. After he was matched, Sayers remained longer in town than was prudent, and, as a natural consequence, was too much hurried in his preparations. He was not quite a month at country quarters, and on arriving in London looked fleshy, and had evidently done insufficient work. Had he been about five pounds lighter he would have been all the better. He was, nevertheless, extremely sanguine of success, and assured his backers that he would fully justify the confidence they had placed in him. We saw Tom at Nat Langham’s, the “Cambrian,” on the Monday evening. He was surrounded by an extensive circle of the upper-crust supporters of the P.R. His weight was about 10st. 12lbs. or 13lbs.

Poulson, after his last defeat by Paddock, had remained at Nottingham, where he followed his laborious occupation as a navvy until informed of the proposed match, in which, as already stated, he was taken in hand by Jem Burn. That facetious worthy, determined that no pains should be spared, summoned Bendigo to his assistance, and under the able tutelage of that eccentric but painstaking ex-champion did Harry get himself into very first-rate trim. Every muscle in his powerful frame was beautifully developed, and there did not seem to be an ounce of superfluous meat in any place. As the men were not tied to weight, no scaling took place at the last moment on which dependence could be placed. He was certainly not less than 12st., and might have been a pound or so more. His height 5ft. 7½in., and in figure and general appearance, although shorter and thicker set, marvellously like “the renowned” Bendigo. On the Monday before the battle Poulson took up his quarters under the hospitable roof of “My Nevvy,” at the “Rising Sun,” where he was greeted by an admiring circle, including many patricians. He retired to his “flea pasture” at an early hour; but the eccentric Bendy kept the company at the “Rising Sun” in a perpetual grin until the approach of the small hours reminded him that he, too, had work to do early in the morning, upon which he retired to roost, as did the host himself, who, although suffering from gout, had made up his mind to be present. The betting, at both Jem’s and Nat’s, varied between 6 and 7 to 4 on Poulson――odds which the superior strength, weight, and condition of the countryman fully justified. The betting was tolerably brisk, but there were more layers of odds than takers.

By six o’clock in the morning all the Fancy were astir, and great was the difficulty in getting cabs. A hard frost had set in, and most of the vehicles were detained at home to get the horses “roughed.” Several, owing to this unforeseen occurrence, were unable to catch the train at eight o’clock; and, had it not been for the opportune arrival of the drag of an old friend, Sayers would, in all probability, have been left behind. As it was, he cut it so fine that he only arrived as the station-doors were closed. The journey down was performed by eleven o’clock, and within half an hour the ring was ready at Appledore. The men lost no time in entering its precincts, Poulson attended by Bob Fuller and Bendigo, and Sayers receiving the friendly assistance of Nat Langham and Jemmy Massey. Umpires and a referee were soon appointed, and at six minutes to twelve the men toed the scratch. The betting now was tolerably brisk at 7 to 4 on Poulson――odds which, at one period of the fight, advanced to 3 to 1, which was laid by Tom Paddock, whose confidence in his old opponent’s tried game and resolution tempted him to overstep the bounds of prudence in his investments.

THE FIGHT.

Round 1.――The disparity in weight was very perceptible,
as was also the superior condition of Poulson. Sayers,
however, had the advantage in height and length.
Poulson threw himself into the old-fashioned attitude,
with both hands held somewhat high, and planted firmly
on both pins. Sayers, on the contrary, assumed an
elegant position, resting most upon his left foot, his
right arm across the mark, and the left well down. He
fiddled a little, until Poulson went in and let go his
left and right. The former was stopped; but with the
latter he got home on Tom’s nut. A sharp rally
instantly took place, which brought them to close
quarters, in which Sayers fibbed his man very cleverly,
catching him heavily on the conk, and in the end both
were down, Poulson under.

2.――Both were flushed from the rapid in-fighting in the
last round, which had evidently been severe. Poulson
tried to lead off, but was too slow for his active
opponent. He persevered, and at last got home with his
right over Tom’s left ear. This led to more heavy
exchanges and a close, in which Poulson caught Sayers
round the neck. Sayers hit up, but without doing any
damage, and in the end was down, Poulson on him.

3.――Sayers came up smiling but cautious. He fiddled his
man until he got within distance, when he lunged out
his left on the right brow, but too high for mischief.
Poulson returned heavily on the ribs with his right,
when Tom retreated. Poulson followed him again, let go
his left and right, was beautifully countered, but
again too high and on the side of the nut, and Poulson
slipped down.

4.――Sayers feinted and let go his left on the nose, but
not heavily. Poulson was wild and missed his return,
whereupon Sayers put in his left very neatly on the
right cheek. Poulson now went in ding-dong, but his
blows wanted precision. He got close, when Sayers
caught him on the right peeper and the right lug, from
each of which there was a tinge of blood. Tom then
closed and threw his man very neatly, falling on him.
(“First blood” for Sayers.)

5.――Sayers again feinted to draw his man, who came in,
and Sayers sent his left over his shoulder. Poulson
then closed, threw, and fell on him.

6.――Tom, after one or two feints and dodges, again let
fly his left, but was well stopped. Poulson, however,
missed his return with the right at the body. He now
rushed in determined, and some tremendous punching,
left and right, ensued, in which Sayers hit straighter
and oftener, but Poulson heavier with his right, which
paid some heavy visits to Tom’s nut.

7.――Sayers again feinted and succeeded in drawing his
man, who let go both hands, but out of distance. Sayers
with quickness returned on the forehead, but was too
high. Heavy counter-hits followed to a close, in which
the fibbing was severe, Sayers receiving on the left
side of his head and returning on the mouth.

8.――Both, much flushed on the dial, came up laughing.
Poulson lunged out his right, catching Tom heavily on
the ribs and then on the cheek, Tom instantly closed,
and, after a sharp struggle, in which it was thought
Poulson had the best of it, Sayers cleverly back-heeled
him, throwing him heavily and falling on him.

9.――Poulson tried again to deliver his right on the
ribs, but Sayers was well away. Harry rushed after him,
slinging out both hands, when Tom ducked and escaped.
Poulson persevered, and at last caught him with his
right on the ribs, when some more severe in-fighting in
favour of Poulson took place. In the end both were
down.

10.――On coming up Tom’s nose showed that Harry had been
there in the last round; his ribs, also, were
unmistakably bruised. He feinted to draw his adversary,
and let go his left, which was stopped, and Poulson
returned on the ribs. Sayers, with great quickness,
countered him as he delivered this blow, and sent him
to grass by a sharp left-hander on the right temple.
(“First knock-down blow” for Sayers.)

11.――Poulson came up slow, as if posed by the blow in
the last round. Sayers dodged with his left, and popped
it over Harry’s right peeper, getting quickly away from
the return. Poulson followed him up, but missed his
right; he persevered until they got to close quarters,
when Sayers again knocked him down by a heavy
right-hander on the jaw. (Loud cheers for Sayers, the
Poulsonites looking blue.)

12.――Tom came up smiling and all alive, dodged, and put
in his left very straight on Harry’s nasal promontory.
Poulson instantly rushed in, but napped it on the right
side of his nut and slipped down.

13.――Poulson, who had been called on to fight with his
left, waited for Sayers, and, on the latter coming
near, caught him heavily with that hand on the
proboscis, staggering him. Tom soon came again, and
retaliated by a heavy delivery on the mouth with his
left. After some mutual sparring, Harry was short with
his left, and Tom countered him with the right on the
left peeper, and then with the left bang on the
olfactory organ. Some sharp exchanges ensued, in which
Poulson drew the ruby from Tom’s snout, and Tom slipped
down.

14.――Both got quickly to work. No stopping; and, after
one or two harmless cracks, Sayers got down.

15.――Poulson again attempted to fight with his left;
but Sayers was too quick for him, and nailed him on the
right cheek. Harry tried it again, but was stopped; and
Sayers then let drive with his left on the
smelling-bottle very heavily; he retreated, feinted,
and, by putting the double on, succeeded in delivering
another smack on the same organ. Some very heavy
exchanges followed, in which Sayers got home on the
right eye and Harry on the sneezer; Sayers slipped
down.

16.――Tom came up filtering the juice from his beak.
Poulson tried to plant his favourite right, but was
stopped. He then tried his left, but was out of
distance. After several more wild efforts, Sayers
caught him with his left heavily on the right cheek,
and retreated. Poulson followed him to the corner and
let go his left and right, when Sayers countered him on
the cheek. Poulson retaliated on the mouth very
heavily, and Tom slipped down.

17.――Tom was now bleeding from the mouth and nose. He
was as steady as ever, and planted his left on the side
of the head. This led to some sharp in-fighting,
without material damage, and in the end Sayers slipped
down, tired.

18.――Poulson bored in, let go his left, which was
stopped, and Sayers was out of distance with his
return. The same thing was repeated on both sides; but,
on their getting closer, some good counter-hits were
exchanged, Poulson getting it on the jaw and Tom on the
damaged nose. Tom retreated, followed by Harry, who let
go both hands, but was prettily popped on the nozzle.
Some more sharp exchanges followed, Tom getting it
heavily on the left eye, and in the end Tom was down.

19.――Tom’s left peeper showed signs of closing.
Poulson, seeing this, bored in, but was propped on the
forehead and cheek. He persevered, when Tom succeeded
in planting a very straight nose-ender, which removed
the bark from Harry’s proboscis. The force of his own
blow staggered Tom, who slipped down.

20.――The gnomon of Harry’s dial was by no means set
straight by these visitations. He tried his dangerous
right at the body, but missed. Sayers nailed him again
on the snout, and got down.

21.――Tom again put in his favourite double on Harry’s
_os frontis_ and nose, and, on receiving Poulson’s
right on the ribs, fell.

22.――Harry, in his usual style, lunged out his right at
the body, but was short; Tom returning on the right
peeper, and getting cleverly away. Poulson followed him
up, and, after innocuous exchanges, Sayers went down.

23.――Poulson again led off, but was propped neatly on
the forehead and nose. This led to sharp
counter-hitting in favour of Poulson, and Sayers was
again down.

24.――Tom tried his double and got home his left on the
frontal bone, to the detriment of his knuckles, and
again too high to be effective. Poulson pegged away at
the ribs and the side of his head very heavily, the
latter blow knocking Tom off his pins.

25.――Tom seemed much fatigued; he nevertheless led off,
but without effect. Poulson tried to return, when Tom
met him on the nose with his left, and then on the
forehead. Poulson once more reached Tom’s nose with his
right, and Tom was down.

26.――Harry tried his left, and succeeded in reaching
Tom’s right peeper, but not heavily. Tom returned on
the forehead, and then delivered his left on the snout.
He retreated to draw his man, and as he came caught him
a tremendous spank on the potato-trap with his right,
but in retreating caught his foot against the stake and
fell.

27.――Harry’s mouth much swollen from the hit in the
last round. He rushed in, when Tom caught him on the
nasal organ heavily with his left, and got away.
Poulson now tried his left, but was short; and Sayers
caught him once more on the lips, renewing the supply
of carmine. Poulson rushed after him, and Tom in
getting away again caught against the stake and fell
heavily.

28.――Tom smiling, dodged and popped in his left on the
mouth, and then on the nose with great quickness,
drawing more gravy. Poulson rushed after him, but
missed his right; some slogging punches followed on
both sides to a close, in which both fell, Sayers
under.

29.――They immediately closed, and after some sharp
fibbing, in which Sayers was the quicker and
straighter, both were again down. One hour had now
elapsed.

30.――Tom led off, and again reached Harry’s nose. It
was a long shot, and not heavy. Poulson missed his
return, whereupon Sayers planted his left twice in
succession on the nose, and, after receiving a little
one on the chest, slipped down.

31.――Poulson led off with his left, but was stopped,
and Sayers was short in his return. Harry then missed
his right on the ribs, and napped a hot one on the
kisser from Tom’s left. This visitation Tom repeated,
and then got on Harry’s nose. Harry rushed at him, and
Tom slipped down, the ground being in a dreadful state.

32.――Sayers feinted and again got well on the mug and
nose with his left, and Harry was short with his
return. Tom drew him, and as he came got home on the
right eye. Harry now reached his left cheek heavily,
and Tom got down.

33.――Tom planted his left slightly on the dexter ogle,
and then in the mazzard, getting cleverly away from the
return. Poulson followed him up and delivered another
terrific smack with his right on the nose, drawing a
fresh supply of the sap. A close followed, in which Tom
slipped down, bleeding from his proboscis.

34.――Poulson tried both mauleys, but was short. He then
rushed in again, missed, and Tom, in getting back,
fell. He was evidently weak, and it was now that
Paddock laid 3 to 1, thinking, no doubt, that Poulson,
who from his fine condition showed scarcely a mark,
would tire him out.

35.――Poulson went to work, missed his left, but caught
Tom with his right on the larboard cheek, which was
much swollen, and in the close which followed Tom was
down.

36.――Tom led off with his left on the nose, but not
heavily. Harry returned on the nose and the side of his
head, and Tom slipped down.

37.――Harry let go, and planted his right on the nose.
Exchanges followed in favour of Poulson, and Sayers got
down.

38.――Tom collected himself, waited for his man, and
nailed him twice in succession on the right eye. Slight
exchanges followed, and they fell opposite to one
another on their knees, the ground being more slippery
than ever, and their spikes almost useless.

39.――Tom dodged, put in his left and right on Harry’s
optics; the latter then went to work, and some heavy
exchanges ensued in favour of Poulson who nailed Tom
with effect on the left eye, and Tom fell. His left eye
was nearly closed.

40.――Tom still took the lead, caught Harry on the
snuffbox heavily, and in retreating slipped down.

41.――Tom busy with the left on the right eye, and then
on the mouth. Poulson returned heavily on the left
goggle, and then bored Tom down through the ropes, his
left daylight being quite extinguished.

42.――Sayers tried his left on the mouth, but was
stopped, and Poulson dashed in, nailed him with the
right on the mouth, closed, and fibbed him until Tom
was down.

43.――Tom, although evidently tired, came up smiling,
feinted, and let go his left on the right cheek.
Poulson dashed in, when Tom met him heavily over the
left eyebrow. Poulson still followed him as he
retreated, and Tom nailed him on the nose. In the end
Tom got down in his corner.

44.――Tom “put his double on,” but it wanted steam.
Poulson then bored in, closed at the ropes, and, after
a short struggle, both were down.

45.――On getting close, some heavy counter-hitting took
place, Tom getting on to the right peeper, and Poulson
on the mouth, renewing the supply of crimson. Tom
retreated, came again and caught his man on the temple,
and then on the mouth. Poulson returned on the latter
organ and ribs with his right.

46.――The left side of Tom’s nut was much swollen, and
his nose all shapes but the right. He came up
undaunted, let go his left well on the right ogle,
which at last began to show signs of a shut-up. Tom
retreated, followed by Poulson, and as the latter let
go his right, Tom countered him bang on the right eye.
Poulson returned slightly on the nose.

47.――Sayers once more tried his double with effect, and
got on the right eye. Poulson rushed after him, when
Tom slipped down in rather a questionable manner, but
there was no appeal.

48.――Tom crept in and popped his left on the nose. A
close followed, in which Tom got down on the saving
suit.

49.――Poulson tried to take the lead, but was too slow
for the nimble Tom, who got quickly away. Harry
persevered, and got well on the ribs twice in
succession very heavily.

50.――Tom evidently felt the effects of the visitations
to the ribs, for his left arm certainly did not come up
with the same freedom as before. Poulson went in,
delivered another rib-bender, and Tom got down.

51.――Harry tried to improve his advantage; but Sayers
propped him beautifully on the nose, received another
little one on the ribs, and dropped.

52.――Poulson once more swung out his right; but Tom got
away, and, as Harry followed, planted his left on the
smeller. Poulson then bored him down, and falling
himself, carefully avoided dropping on Sayers by
placing a knee on each side of him. This manly
forbearance on the part of Poulson elicited loud
applause on all sides, the more particularly as it was
not the first time during the fight.

53.――Poulson again let go his left and right, but Tom
was away, planting his left on the jaw as Harry came
after him. Poulson succeeded in delivering his right
slightly on the cheek, and Sayers got down.

54.――Poulson led off left and right, but was stopped,
and he, in turn, stopped Tom’s attempted deliveries.
Tom then made his left on the throat and mouth by one
of his clever doubles, and, after napping a little one
on the proboscis, dropped.

55.――Poulson popped his right on Tom’s damaged peeper,
and then on the jaw very heavily. Heavy exchanges
followed, each getting it on the side of the cranium,
and in the end Sayers was down.

56.――Tom feinted, put his double on the mouth and
throat, and, as Poulson followed him up, he took
advantage of a slight hit to go down.

57.――Poulson dashed his right on the left cheek, and
Tom was again down, evidently requiring rest.

58.――Harry got well on to Tom’s conk with his right,
and then with his left, and Tom dropped.

59.――Harry again led off, but the blow was of no
effect; he followed it by another on the nose, and a
third on the side of the head, and Tom went to earth.

60.――Harry made his left and right, but they were very
slight, and Tom got down.

61.――Sayers was now recovering his wind, and, waiting
for his man, countered him very straight on the right
eyebrow as he came in, inflicting a cut, and drawing
the carmine. Exchanges in favour of Sayers followed,
who again caught his man over the right peeper, and, in
the end, Tom got down, the Poulson party asking why he
did not stand up, and claiming a foul, which was not
allowed, there being no ground for it.

62.――Tom led off, but missed, and napped a heavy smack
on the whistler from Poulson’s left. On getting close,
a tremendous counter-hit with the right was exchanged,
Sayers getting it on the jaw, and Poulson on the right
eye, each knocking his adversary down.

63.――Both slow to time, the counter in the last round
having been a shaker for each. Poulson was bleeding
from the right ogle, and Tom from the mouth. Tom again
got on to Harry’s right eye, and, on getting a little
one on the mouth, once more fell.

64.――Tom, again very weak and tired, waited for his
man, caught him slightly on the left cheek, and slipped
down. Another claim that he went down without a blow
disallowed, the ground being very bad; the referee,
however, cautioned him to be careful.

65.――Tom tried his left, which was easily stopped, and
Poulson nailed him on the mouth. A close and fibbing
followed, when Tom, having all the worst of this game,
got down.

66.――Poulson led off with his right, which was stopped,
and Sayers missed his return; Poulson then caught him a
little one with his right on the side of his nut, and
Tom, glad of the excuse, got down.

67.――Harry tried his left, and succeeded in reaching
Tom’s right cheek. Heavy counter-hits followed, Poulson
on the nose, and Tom on the left cheek; and Tom, in
turning, after getting another crack on the side of his
occiput, dropped.

68.――Poulson dashed out his left, but Sayers got
cleverly away. He tried it again with the same result,
and on making a third essay, Tom countered him well off
on the right ogle. He then made his left twice on the
left eye, and, as Poulson rushed at him, got down. Two
hours had now passed, and the punishment was pretty
equally divided. Poulson’s right eye, like Tom’s left,
was completely closed, and each of their noses was much
out of shape. The right side of Tom’s face was
unscathed, but his ribs bore heavy marks of punishment.
Poulson had a mouse under his left eye, but was much
stronger on his legs than Sayers, and it was still
thought he must wear him out. Many also imagined that,
as Tom was getting slower, Poulson would knock him out
of time with his dangerous right.

69.――Tom tried to lead off with his left, but was
stopped twice in succession, and Poulson nailed him on
the snorer. Tom returned the compliment by a tidy smack
with his right on the mouth, drawing more of the
cochineal; slight exchanges followed, and Sayers got
down.

70.――Tom’s left was again stopped, and Harry was short
in his return. Tom then feinted and popped his double
on the nose and right cheek, which he cut slightly.

71.――Poulson let go his left, but did not get home. On
Sayers attempting to return, Harry popped him on the
nose, and Tom got down.

72.――Poulson’s left was stopped easily; he then tried a
one, two, and reached Tom’s mouth with his right; the
left, however, did not reach its destination (the
unscathed side of Tom’s phisog). In the end Tom got
down.

73.――Sayers stopped Poulson’s one, two, and then got
home on the right eye. Poulson returned on the chin.
Some rapid exchanges followed, Tom making both hands on
the mouth and left cheek, and Poulson getting in on
Tom’s nose. Poulson closed, when Tom caught him heavily
on the mouth, and Poulson got down.

74.――Tom put in a well-delivered left-hander on the
damaged peeper. Slight exchanges followed, and Tom got
down.

75.――Tom getting more lively every round, and Poulson’s
head at last beginning to swell. Tom let go his left on
the throat; good counter-hits followed, Poulson on the
mouth, and Tom on the side of the head. Poulson then
dashed in with his right on the ribs, leaving marks of
his knuckles. Tom retaliated on the right eye, and a
determined rally followed, in which each got pepper;
but Sayers was straighter in his deliveries. In the end
he was down. The Poulson party began now to look
serious; their man was gradually going blind of both
eyes, and Sayers appeared to be no weaker than he was
an hour ago, added to which he had still a good eye.

76.――Both came up piping from the effects of the last
round. Poulson tried his left twice, but Sayers got
away, and, as Harry came after him, met him well on the
mouth, and then on the right eye, and in the end both
fell side by side.

77.――Sayers came up smiling as well as his distorted
mug would allow; he dodged, and then got well over
Poulson’s guard on to his left eye. Harry instantly
returned on the chin, when Tom once more popped his
left on the mouth heavily, and got away. He played
round his man and at last sent home another left-hander
on the left eye――a cross hit. Poulson just reached his
jaw with his right, and Tom got down.

78.――Tom made play with his left on the right ogle, and
avoided the return. Poulson persevered, and at last Tom
got down in his corner.

79.――Poulson dashed in his right on the nose, but not
very heavily; Sayers returned on the right gazer, and
napped a heavy right-hander on the cheek, from the
effect of which he went down weak.

80.――Tom steadied himself, crept close, and popped his
left on the left eye. Poulson rushed at him, and heavy
counter-hits were exchanged on the jaw, both coming to
the ground side by side.

81.――Tom missed two attempts to deliver, and received
another heavy thwack on the bread-basket. Heavy
exchanges ensued in favour of Poulson, who was always
best at close quarters, and Sayers got down.

82.――Tom came up a little stronger, and let go his
left, but not heavily, on the right cheek. Poulson
tried a return, but Tom, who gradually retreated,
propped him as he came in, on the right eye and nose.
Poulson, determined if possible, to make a decided turn
in his favour, persevered, and some rattling ding-dong
fighting took place, each getting it heavily on the
dial, and in the end both were down.

83.――Both looked the worse for the last round, but
Poulson’s left eye was fast following suit with his
right, and it was evident to all that if Sayers kept
away it was a mere question of time. Sayers feinted,
put in his double very neatly on the mouth, and then
got a hot one on the left cheek. Good exchanges at
close quarters followed, in which Poulson’s visitations
to Tom’s snout were anything but agreeable, while Tom
was busy on the right eye. This was another ding-dong
round, and astonished every one after the men had
fought so long. In the end Sayers got down, and Poulson
fell on his knees at his side.

84.――Tom’s double was once more successful, and he got
well on Harry’s smeller. Poulson once more reached the
left side of the nut, just by the ear, and Tom fell.

85.――Poulson led off with his left, getting well on
Tom’s nose. Good counter-hits followed, Tom getting it
on the mouth, and Harry on the left eye. Poulson now
dashed in, but got one on the right eye; he, however,
nailed Tom on the right ear, drawing claret. Another
desperate rally followed, in which Jack was as good as
his master, and in the end Sayers got down. Two hours
and thirty minutes had now elapsed.

86.――Poulson dashed in, but Sayers stepped nimbly back,
propping him as he came on the left eye. Harry at last
made his right on the left ear, and Tom got down.

87.――Poulson again rushed in, but Sayers, after
propping him over the right eye, dropped. Another claim
of foul not allowed.

88.――Tom tried his left, but was short; Poulson then
rattled in, caught him on the left side of his
knowledge-box, and Tom dropped.

89.――Poulson, after being short with his one, two, made
his right on the ribs, and Tom fell.

90.――Poulson again hit out of distance; he persevered,
and eventually nailed Tom slightly on the nozzle, and
that hero wisely got down, by way of a rest, finding
that Harry was still dangerous at close quarters.

91.――Tom stopped Harry with great neatness, and then
planted his left on the throat; heavy exchanges
followed in favour of Poulson, who again reached Tom’s
left ear very severely, drawing more of the Burgundy,
and Tom fell very weak.

92.――Tom, who staggered up, received a heavy one from
Harry’s right on the brow, and got down.

93.――Neither very ready at the call of “Time,” but Tom
slowest; he nevertheless came up steady, and, as
Poulson rushed in, planted his left very heavily, first
on the right eye and then on the nose, and got away,
followed by Poulson, who forced the fighting. Heavy
exchanges followed, Harry on the ribs and Tom on the
forehead, and Tom down.

94.――Poulson for the first time got on to Tom’s right
eye, but not heavily; he then popped his right on the
ear, and also on the ribs very heavily, staggering Tom,
who evidently winced under the latter visitation. Tom,
however shook himself together, and some sharp
exchanges took place, which ended in Sayers dropping to
avoid a fall.

95.――Poulson’s right neatly stopped. He tried again
with a rush, but Tom cleverly ducked and got away.
Poulson followed him up, and napped a sharp reminder
over the right brow; Poulson returned on the chest, and
Tom got down.

96.――After some harmless exchanges, Sayers got down,
amidst the groans of the Nottingham party.

97.――Poulson was again neatly stopped, and Tom returned
heavily on the mouth, turning on the main once more.
Poulson made his right on the ribs, and then on the
left cheek, and, after one or two harmless passes, Tom
got down.

98.――Sayers put in his double on the throat, and
Poulson rushed to a close, and, after a brief struggle,
Sayers fell; Poulson again, and in the most manly way,
avoiding failing on him.

99.――Tom, evidently the best man, dodged, and put in
his left on the side of Poulson’s head; Harry wide of
the mark with his return. Tom came again, dodged him,
and whack went his left on the smelling-bottle. Slight
exchanges followed, and then Poulson, as Sayers was
retreating, caught him a heavy right-hander on the jaw
which knocked him down.

100.――The Poulsonians anxious for the call of “Time;”
but to their surprise Tom came up quite steady. He
dodged his man, popped in his double on the nose and
left peeper without a return, and then on the throat,
and in getting back fell.

101.――Poulson, nearly blind, dashed in with
determination, and heavy counter-hits were exchanged,
Tom getting well on the mouth and Harry on the nose,
and Sayers slipped down. Three hours had now elapsed.

102.――Sayers drew a fresh supply of the ruby from
Harry’s right cheek, and, in retreating, fell. Another
claim of foul.

103.――Poulson went in and made his right on the side of
Tom’s head. Tom retreated, advanced, making his usual
feint, but, on seeing Poulson coming at him, he tried
to get back, and, his legs slipping apart, he could not
get himself into a defensive position, and fell.
Another claim of foul was here made; but the referee,
who had not seen the round, owing to the interposition
of the bodies of the seconds and backers of Poulson,
pronounced “fair;” and in his decision we decidedly
concur, as, in our opinion, the fall on the part of
Sayers was entirely unpremeditated and accidental. It
was for some time before order was restored; and the
delay was of the greatest advantage to Sayers, while it
had an opposite effect on Poulson, whose left eye was
now all but closed.

104.――Tom came up gaily, dodged his man, who came
towards him, and then nailed him heavily on the
proboscis and left peeper. A close followed, and Sayers
got down.

105.――Slight exchanges, in which no damage was done,
and Sayers slipped down.

106.――Poulson dashed in to make a last effort, and
heavy counter-hits were exchanged. Sayers caught him on
the left eye, and received a heavy rib-bender and then
a crack on the left ear, whereupon he dropped.

107.――Sayers, bleeding from the left ear, came up
slowly and feinted in his usual style; caught Harry on
the right eye, and then on the mark. Poulson popped his
right heavily on the ribs, and another give-and-take
rally followed, at the end of which Sayers, who was
still weak on his legs, got down.

108.――Poulson’s face was now much swollen and there was
scarcely a glimmer from his left peeper. He was,
however, still strong as ever on his pins. He rushed
in, knowing he had no time to spare, and caught Tom
heavily with his right on the left ear. Exchanges
followed, Sayers being straightest. Poulson bored in,
and got home heavily with his right on the ribs, when
Tom delivered his left heavily on the jaw, and knocked
him down.

109, and last.――The last blow had evidently been a
settler for the gallant Poulson: he came up slowly and
all abroad. The game fellow tried once more to effect a
lodgement, but missed, his head came forward and Tom
delivered the _coup de grâce_ by a heavy right-hander
on the jaw, which again knocked the veteran off his
legs, and, on being taken up, he was found to be deaf
to the call of “Time.” He recovered in a few minutes,
and shed bitter tears of disappointment at the
unsatisfactory and unexpected termination of his
labours. Sayers walked to a public house adjoining the
field of battle, and of course was vociferously
congratulated by his friends and admirers upon his
triumphant success. Poulson was also conveyed to the
public-house, and, after taking some refreshment,
became himself. He was quite blind, and his mug
otherwise much battered, but beyond this had sustained
no serious injuries. Sayers complained a good deal of
the punishment about his body, and the repeated
visitations to the side of his head, but of course the
fact of his being the winner went far to allay the
physical suffering he endured. Both were enabled to
return to town in the same train with their friends,
and arrived at their respective houses about half-past
nine o’clock. The fight lasted three hours and eight
minutes.

REMARKS.――Owing to the minute details which we have
given of all the material incidents in this really
extraordinary battle, we may spare our readers the
trouble of reading many observations upon the
respective merits of the men, of which the account of
the different rounds will have enabled them to form as
correct an opinion as ourselves. Tom Sayers, by his
quickness on his legs, his steadiness and excellent
judgment, not only astonished his adversary and his
backers, but completely took his own friends by
surprise. He had evidently much improved, in every
possible way, since his defeat by Nat Langham. Great
fault was found with him for his too constant resort to
the dropping system; but for this he had every excuse.
He scarcely ever went down without having had a
bustling round, and once only during the battle did we
observe anything at which an impartial man would cavil.
This was at a period in the middle of the fight when he
was extremely weak, and at the time no appeal was made
by the friends of Poulson. It must be taken into
consideration that Tom was anything but himself, and
the ground was far from favourable for keeping on his
legs and getting out of the reach of his weighty and
powerful adversary. It has been urged that the ground
was as much against Poulson as Sayers; but this was
hardly so. Poulson is a steady ding-dong fighter, of
the squarest build, does not depend much on his
defensive tactics, and makes little use of his legs;
while Tom had to be continually jumping back, and, when
opposed to such superior weight, would of course find
proportionate difficulty in keeping on his pins.
Indeed, many times when he fell he came to the ground
with such a “thud” as must have shaken a good deal of
his strength out of him. We are aware that since the
match had been made many things had occurred to harass
Tom’s mind, and that he had pecuniary difficulties to
contend with which, we trust, will not exist in future
matches; and this, again, must be taken into
consideration. He does not want for friends, and, we
doubt not, with steadiness and good conduct, will find
himself on the high road to prosperity. Of Harry
Poulson’s gallantry and manliness we cannot say too
much. He fought from first to last in a game,
straightforward manner, with an evident determination
to do his best to win in a fair and honourable way. He
scorned to take advantage of many opportunities of
falling on his man, when he might have done so with
perfect fairness, and otherwise comported himself in a
manner as reflects the very highest credit upon his
character as a man, and a demonstrator of the noble art
of self-defence. Although evidently annoyed at being
unable to get home as he expected, he still never
allowed his temper to get the better of him; and often
when Tom, from his shifty tactics, evaded what had been
intended as a finisher, he stood and shook his head at
him, as much as to say it was too bad, but not once did
he allow a harsh or angry expression to escape him. He
is truly one of the gamest of the game; but he is too
slow, and depends too much on his right hand, to have
much chance of success against a really finished boxer.
We do not consider that his age had anything to do with
his defeat, for he is as fresh as most London boxers
who are ten years his juniors. His bravery and
universal good conduct cannot but secure him the
respect and support of all admirers of such good
qualities.

The conquest of Poulson was unquestionably the greatest achievement of Sayers’s pugilistic career. He was now established as a man with whom the men under 12 stone on the boxing list must not meddle; at any rate, none other were likely to get backers against him.

From this period the name of Tom Sayers mixes itself with every question of the belt and the Championship.

In the year 1855, a proposition was set on foot by a number of patrons of the Ring, to raise, by subscription, a sum of money to purchase a belt of greater intrinsic value than anything of the kind previously presented, in lieu of the belt which had “gone astray” during the squabbles between Bendigo, Caunt, and the Tipton Slasher. Lists were opened, and before long a sum of nearly £100 was collected. To Mr. Hancock, of New Bond Street, was entrusted the manufacture of the trophy, and from that gentleman’s establishment was produced the elegant badge of the highest fistic honours which Tom Sayers so well and so worthily won. On the belt being ordered, the committee who undertook its management issued the following as the conditions on which it should be held: “That it should not be handed over to any person claiming the Championship until he had proved his right to it by a fight; that any pugilist having held it against all comers for three years, without a defeat, should become its absolute possessor; that the holder should be bound to meet every challenger of any weight who should challenge him for the sum of £200 a side, within six months after the issue of such challenge, within the three years; that he should not be bound to fight for less than £200 a side; that at the final deposit for every match within the three years the belt should be delivered up to the committee until after the battle; and, finally, that on the belt being given to the winner of any Champion-fight, he should deposit such security as should be deemed necessary in the hands of the committee to ensure the above regulations being carried out.”

No sooner did it become known that the belt was ready for whosoever could win it, than there was a general stirring up of the dormant energies of the big men who had retired, or thought to be about to retire, from the Ring. Harry Broome shook himself together; the Tipton Slasher roused him from his lair; Tom Paddock’s hair stood on end between hope and fear of disappointment; while Aaron Jones, who about this time (1855) had fought the second of two tremendous battles with Paddock, and, though defeated, had entirely removed any impressions as to his want of pluck caused by his battles with Harry Orme, also pricked up his ears, and issued a defiant grunt. The only man among the recent combatants for Champion’s honours who made no sign was Harry Orme, who was content to rest upon his well-earned reputation. At first it was thought there would not be found a man sufficiently venturous to tackle the “Ould Tipton,” but this was soon seen to be a fallacy; for not one only, but each and every of the aspirants sent out a defiance to the crooked-legged hero of the hardware districts. The first cartel that reached him was that of Aaron Jones, and with him preliminaries were at once arranged.

The challenges of Broome and Paddock arriving afterwards, the Slasher informed them that they must wait the issue of the struggle with Jones. Broome and Paddock seemed both disinclined to wait for this event, and neither was desirous of postponing his claims to those of his co-challenger, and, as a natural consequence, a good deal of badinage took place between them, which ended in their being matched for £200 a side, to ascertain which should have the preference. While they were in training Aaron Jones was compelled to forfeit to the Tipton Slasher, through meeting with an accident during his training; so that there appeared a clear course for the winner.

The fight between Broome and Paddock took place on the 19th of May, 1856, and was won by Tom Paddock with ease in 51 rounds, and 63 minutes, it being at once apparent that, though Harry Broome had all the will and the courage to do deeds of valour, the power had deserted him, and he had become prematurely old and stale. (See page 294.)

Soon after Paddock’s defeat of Broome, Paddock obtained the acme of his desires――viz., a match with his old opponent, the Slasher; but when £80 a side had been staked Master Tom allowed his temper to get the better of his judgment, and, having offended his best friends, had to forfeit through a scarcity of “ochre.” This was not only a disappointment to himself, but also to his opponent, who was thus foiled in his efforts to get hold of the belt, which could not be obtained without a mill, and which he had made sure of winning from Tom Paddock. Just previous to this mishap Jones had recovered from his accident, and, to the surprise of all, had been matched with the “coming man,” Tom Sayers; so that even here the “Old’un” was again done out of an opponent, and the belt still remained in abeyance, to abide the issue between Sayers and Jones, the winner to meet the ponderous Tipton for the coveted trophy. This fight, which took place on the banks of the Medway, on the 19th February, 1857, we now propose to narrate.

Owing to the puritanical persecution to which the Ring had been for some time subjected, a line of country had to be selected which had for a long time been untried, so that there was every prospect of matters being adjusted in that quarter without let or hindrance. Although bills were circulated, stating that a train would leave the Great Northern Station at King’s Cross on Tuesday at nine o’clock, it was at the eleventh hour considered that the locality would on the present occasion be too “warm,” and therefore, an alteration was deemed prudent. This alteration could not be made public at so late a period, and it was only those who happened to consult the initiated at the benefit of the Pugilistic Benevolent Association, on the previous Monday evening, who got a due to the real state of the case. The consequence was that on Tuesday morning, at the Fenchurch Street Station, there were at the utmost 180 persons, including a considerable number of patricians and a very small proportion of the professors of the noble art, while of the “roughs” and other noisy demonstrators there was an almost total absence. These gentry and some few unfortunates of the higher class hastened to the Great Northern terminus at the hour named in the handbills, and great was their disappointment, and loud their indignation, at finding themselves sold.

The start from Fenchurch Street took place at eight o’clock precisely, and by nine o’clock Tilbury was reached, where all at once embarked in a vessel provided for the purpose, and by twenty minutes to ten were safely on board, and, greatly to the credit of the managers of the expedition, a start was at once effected. In order to throw dust in the eyes of the Blues, it was determined to proceed straight to the mouth of the river; and, in the face of a stiff gale from E.N.E., the journey to the Nore was effected in excellent style. The lumpy water in this locality had, as may be imagined, a most unpleasant effect upon many of the voyagers, whose stomachs, unaccustomed to salt water, and anything but improved in tone by their nocturnal vigils (as they had sat up all night in order to be early in the morning), were turned inside out; and the consequence was that swabs and buckets of water were in strong demand. After about an hour’s tossing among the billows, “’bout ship” was the cry, the river was re-entered, and the vessel sped homewards until a spot was reached not far from Canvey Island, where Freeman and the Tipton Slasher fought. With some difficulty a landing was effected, and Tom Oliver, Tom Callas, Puggy White, &c., proceeded to form the lists, although it was not without extraordinary exertions that anything like a favourable spot could be found, and even this was rough and extremely uneven, from the late heavy weather. Numerous were the mishaps of the company on landing, but by no means equal to those they experienced on attempting to regain the vessel after the battle was over, when thick darkness overspread the land, and led many an unwary traveller into mud and mire of the most consistent character. The ring was pitched by half-past twelve o’clock, and a tolerable outer ring was established; but, as usual when the attendance is small, the difficulty of preserving this outer circle intact was very great, and towards the close of the fight, notwithstanding the exertions of some of the ring-keepers, the spectators crowded close to the ring, but, fortunately, did not disturb the ropes and stakes.

The combatants, who had made a sort of demi-toilette on board the steamer, quickly entered the ring, Sayers attended by Jemmy Welsh and George Crockett, Jones advised by Alec Keene and Mike Madden. The stake was £100 a side. The career of Tom’s youthful antagonist will be found sketched at pages 253, 283, and 289 of this volume. Jones had the advantage of Sayers in age by five years; his height 5 feet 11½ inches, and his weight 12st.

Jones, after his defeat by Orme, was on the shelf for a period of two years. He then came out with a challenge to Tom Paddock, which was accepted, and the men met July 18, 1854, at Long Reach, for £100 a side, and, after as gallant a struggle as was ever witnessed, Jones became blind, and his friends gave in for him, after fighting 121 rounds in two hours and twenty-four minutes. So satisfied were his backers on this occasion that they at once expressed their willingness to make a fresh match. After some little time articles were entered into, and they went into training for the second mill. This affair came off at Mildenhall on the 26th of June, 1855, and was another display of manly courage and perseverance on both sides. Towards the close Jones, who for some time had the best of it, fell off very weak, and Paddock, who, like his opponent, was much punished and exhausted, saw that his time was come, and, shaking himself together, he rattled away in style until poor Aaron was once more compelled to cry “a go,” after a contest of sixty-one rounds, in one hour and twenty-nine minutes. Jones after this was matched with the Tipton Slasher, as we have already stated, but this went off; and this brings us to the present meeting.

On entering the ring both men were loudly cheered, and both looked equally confident. No sooner had they put in an appearance than speculation began. The Sayers party originally stood out for 6 to 4, but being unable to get on at that price, they reduced their demands to 5 to 4, at which price considerable business was done, and a bet of £10 to £8 was made and staked between the men. It was piercingly cold; and, the ground being in a moist state, all looked anxious for business, in the hope that the excitement of the combat would dispel some of the shivering fits to which the spectators, one and all, notwithstanding their Crimean-looking outfits, seemed to be subject. Little time was lost by the men in denuding themselves of their remaining outer-garments, and, the handkerchiefs having been tied to the stakes (a light grey and white for Sayers, and a neat white and blue check for Jones), at one o’clock precisely “Time” was called, hands were clasped, and the men began

THE FIGHT.