Cooper, since his defeat by the Gas Light Man, had rather lost ground in the estimation of the amateurs; and Shelton was decidedly the favourite, at six and five to four. But the odds were reduced on the night previous to the battle, and the takers had the majority. The Hurst displayed a fine show of the Corinthians. At five minutes after one, Cooper, dressed in a smock frock, entered the ring, and threw up his hat, followed by his seconds Belcher and Harmer. Shortly afterwards Shelton also threw up his hat, he was attended by Randall and Spring. The betting was guineas to pounds.
Round 1.—On stripping, Shelton appeared in the highest condition; so careful and attentive had he been to the rules of training, that it was asserted a glass of spirits had not passed his lips for the previous four months. Cooper looked pale, and his backers wished that he had had the advantage of one more week’s training; still it was observed that George was never in better fighting trim. On setting-to both combatants appeared equally confident. After eyeing each other for about a half minute, and dodging to obtain a good opportunity to plant the first hit; Shelton tried to put in one, two, but without effect. He then followed Cooper close into the corner of the ring (in the style of the Gas Light Man, but without his execution), and after some exchanges, in appearance rather to the advantage of Shelton, both went down in a close, Cooper undermost. (Loud shouting, and “Go along Shelton; that’s the way, my boy!”)
2.—Cooper, with the utmost dexterity, put in a tremendous hit with his right hand on the ribs of his opponent, and broke away without getting any return. This blow was so terrific as to make Shelton bend like a bow. Cooper repeated the dose, and got away. Shelton now pursued Cooper, and made a hit; but in return received a flooring blow under his left eye, that not only produced the claret, but he turned and fell on one knee. (Cooper’s partizans were roaring with delight, “You’re sure to win it, George.”)
3.—The fine science of Cooper now burst forth, and another ribber was the result, the agony of which was seen in Shelton’s face. The latter, however, administered some severe punishment when in-fighting till both went down.
4.—Caution on both sides marked the commencement of this round. The hits were tremendous; but Shelton at in-fighting had the best of it; he also gave Cooper so severe a nobber, that he in turn went round and fell. (“Bravo, Shelton; it’s all right.”)
5.—Shelton could not protect his ribs, and another dreadful hit upon them was the consequence; he was again screwed up, as it were, and Cooper got away. Shelton, however, in most courageous style, returned to the attack, and planted a tremendous blow on Cooper’s face. Cooper staggered and went down. (Five to three on Shelton, and tumultuous applause.)
6.—The fighting on both sides was excellent, till the men got to the ropes in a close, when fibbing was resorted to by both in turn. Shelton kept punishing his opponent’s nob; while Cooper was giving pepper to the body and ribs of Shelton. Cooper, by a desperate effort, jumped up and hit Shelton in the face. Both went down, their nobs exhibiting severe punishment.
7.—The superior fighting of Cooper in this round claimed the admiration, and obtained cheers from all parts of the ring. He not only ribbed his opponent heavily, and broke ground, but stopped Shelton (excellent fighter as the latter showed himself) in a style that astonished the oldest amateur. In closing, both down.
8.—To say that Shelton did not show game of the first quality, or that the bottom displayed by Cooper was not equal to anything ever exhibited in the prize ring, would not be doing these brave fellows common justice. The latter again hit, stopped, and got away cleverly; still Shelton stuck close to his opponent, and made many good stops. At the ropes more fibbing was attempted, when Cooper held Shelton’s hands, till both went down. (Well done, both sides.)
9.—This round was truly singular. The counter hits were so dreadful and effective, that both of the combatants were beaten to a stand-still. They hit each other away for about two yards, and were so distressed that they kept their situations, looking at each other, without being able to move forward, or to make a blow. They at length recovered a little, being too manly to go down, and scrambled towards each other to the ropes, when both went down. (Great applause, and “They’re out-and-outers,” was the general cry.)
10.—This was also a fine manly round. Hit for hit was exchanged till both were quite exhausted, when Cooper went down. Shelton fell upon the latter, with his knees on his chest.
11.—Shelton, as if determined to spoil the fine science of his opponent, set-to so sharply that he completely out-fought himself, and fell exhausted. (“He’s going, George; you’ve got him.” Fifteen minutes had now elapsed.)
12.—Cooper put in a tremendous facer, and got away. Shelton, anxious to lose no opportunity, followed his man, and exchanged some hard blows. Cooper slipped down, but in losing his balance, he gave Shelton a severe nobber. (The odds had now completely shifted, and Cooper was so decidedly the favourite, that two and three to one were offered with confidence.)
13.—It must be confessed that Shelton was a fine fighter; a good hitter with both his hands, and parried in a masterly style; and in this round he showed great knowledge of the pugilistic art. Cooper received a dreadful stomacher, that almost vociferated “Bellows to mend.” The latter, however, sparred till he recovered himself. Shelton cleverly stopped a mischievous nobber, and a terrific rally ensued at the ropes; Shelton was so much exhausted, that he almost laid himself down. (Great applause, and “Cooper must win it.”)
14.—This round was short, but decisive. Shelton went down like a shot from a blow on the head. The best judge in the fancy, and whose opinion is nearly law, concurred in the general sentiment, that “it was all over.” (Three to one a begging, and no customers to be met with.)
15.—Shelton, in the most tottering, pitiable state, reached the scratch. “His face bespoke a heart full sore.” The heat was at this time 90 degrees in the shade, and Sol’s burning rays seemed positively to pour down liquid heat. Many of the spectators were compelled to quit the ring, to avoid fainting. Let the reader, then, picture to his imagination what must have been the distressed state of the combatants. Cooper was too languid to follow up his success, and the energies of Shelton were spent. A sort of pushing took place, when Cooper slipped down.
16.—Cooper came up to the scratch improved in strength, and had the best of the hitting; in going down, he fell with his whole weight upon his opponent. (The partizans of Cooper opened their mouths, and loudly offered four, and some six, to one, with nearly as much confidence as if the battle had been won.)
17.—Shelton, all but gone, went down quite exhausted.
18.—Cooper’s nob exhibited severe punishment, and Shelton, upon commencing this round, appeared a little better. Two heavy counter hits on the head followed, and it was altogether a sharp round. Cooper was completely turned by a hit. In struggling, both down.
19.—After some sharp exchanges at the ropes, on which Shelton was hanging, Cooper might have finished the battle, but he held up his hands and walked away, and Shelton went down. (“Bravo! that’s noble. Who would not respect true courage, and admire the English character?” were the general observations of the ring.)
20.—Shelton recovering; both down in the corner of the ring, and Cooper undermost.
21.—This was a truly desperate round. The men again hit each other away—stood still for a few seconds, but could not proceed; both were too game to go down. Severe fibbing at the ropes finished the round, till both fell. Cooper had the worst of it.
22.—The nob of Cooper was clareted in profusion. He came to the scratch feeble; and, after two or three blows, nearly laid himself down. (“Here’s a change!” was the cry, and Shelton again the favourite.)
23.—Cooper was soon down. Shelton, from the lead he had taken in the last three rounds, seemed quite an altered man. He took the bottle out of his second’s hand, and drank some water, and, in a scrutinizing manner, turned round to look at the distressed situation of Cooper; he seemed, from the smiling state of his countenance, to think that “it was all right.”
24.—Sharp work; but Cooper down.
25.—The latter made some good hits, but was sent down.
26.—Cooper getting extremely weak, but his science never deserted him, and he made some hits tell before he got down upon the turf. (Four to one on Shelton.)
27.—This round was completely Shelton’s own. Cooper received all the hits, one of which, in the mug, was enough to finish any man in such a languid state; he went down exhausted in the extreme. In consequence of Shelton’s commencing this round rather quickly, in the Gas style, Belcher called out to the umpires to observe that both of the men set-to from the scratch. The umpires immediately attended to the request, and cautioned Shelton. (Shelton for almost any odds, but five and six to one might be had in any part of the ring.)
28.—This round showed the advantages of science in perfection. Cooper was so far gone that he seemed not to have a hit in him. Shelton, like a good fighter, perceiving that the coup de grace was necessary, and no danger to be apprehended, from giving it, went boldly in to pepper his opponent, and put an end to his troubles; when, strange to say, the guard of Cooper was so fine, that he parried off all the force of his opponent’s blows, till he fell from mere exhaustion. (“Bravo! Cooper; you’re an excellent man.”)
29.—Shelton made some good hits, but Cooper stopped “beautifully,” till he again felt the turf. (Seven to one.)
30.—It was expected another round would finish it, from the exhausted state of Cooper. The latter fought like a hero, but received a facer, staggered, and fell. (“It’s all up—he can’t come again.” Ten to one.)
31.—The intense heat of the sun still continuing, so added to the languor of Cooper, that it seemed almost impossible he could appear at the scratch. George, nevertheless, made some hits, and stopped with great skill; yet he got the worst of it, and was sent out of the ropes. (Any odds on Shelton, and “Take him away, he can’t win it!”)
32.—How fallible is often the judgment of the multitude! Cooper, to the astonishment of every one present, lifted up the ropes with his hand, and came into the ring with but little assistance; while on the knee of his second the “water of life” was administered to him, and produced the desired effect. This was a good round, and Cooper still showed fight and science. Shelton, however, made a right-handed hit on Cooper’s face, and immediately afterwards repeated it with the back of the same hand. Cooper went down very weak. Ten pounds to half-a-crown was offered. While Cooper was lying on the ground, and he was ordered to remain in that state by Belcher, Oliver came to the latter, and begged of him to take Cooper away, as he had no chance whatever to win. “Blow my Dickey,” replies Tom; “very pretty advice, indeed! What! take a winning man away? Oh, no! we’ll leave it all to the cook!”
33.—Cooper showed fight, till both went down. (£100 to £5, and £100 to £3, were offered upon Shelton, so strongly did it appear to some old betting men that Shelton must win it.)
34 and last.—The conclusion of this round operated upon the spectators like a well executed conjuring trick. On setting-to, some little pushing took place, when Cooper appeared as if in the act of going down. Catching the upper rope with his right, he gathered himself well up, and making a firm stand, let fly with his left hand so dreadfully upon Shelton’s mouth, that he instantly fell (slightly touching the stake with his head) upon his side, like a lump of lead. The fight was all out of him. His seconds, Spring and Randall, with the greatest alacrity, dragged him up, as it were, for he had no movement in him. This was a most interesting moment. Cooper sat on Harmer’s knee, and as Belcher was wiping him with the handkerchief, half turned round, watching the appearance of Shelton, and with a part of his eye directed towards the umpires and referee, who had all their stop-watches in their hands, waiting for the decisive moment to arrive. The anxiety of Belcher’s face was a perfect study, and his fingers had almost involuntarily reached his topper, when “Time” was called; but the game, the gallant, and unfortunate Shelton heard not the sound, and victory was proclaimed for Cooper. It was indeed a proud moment for him. He lifted up his hands and waved one over his head, and left the ring, amidst the cheers of the spectators. The battle was over in thirty-four minutes.
Remarks.—Cooper proved himself not only one of the finest fighters on the list, but as game a man as is to be found throughout the annals of pugilism. The intense heat of the sun was enough to annihilate the strength of a giant. Shelton also proved himself a first-rate pugilist, with courage of the highest quality. It was remarked that Shelton’s two last fights were in the extremes—upon the coldest and hottest days in the season. Further comment is unnecessary, as it was admitted by all persons present to have been one of the greatest pugilistic treats witnessed for the previous twenty years. The amateurs were delighted beyond measure, and before Cooper left the ring, a gentleman offered to back him against the Gas Light Man for 100 guineas.
Cooper was severely punished; he, however, did not remain longer in London than was actually necessary to reinstate him in his health, when he returned to Edinburgh to take possession of the Britannia Tavern, in Leith Street.
Cooper’s triumph over Shelton so far restored him in the esteem of his friends, that a second match with the tremendous Gas was loudly talked of in the sporting circles; and in the month of October, 1820, at a sporting dinner at the Castle, Tom Belcher posted a £5 note for a second battle, against the like amount of Hickman’s, to fight for £100 a-side. Cooper at this time was in Edinburgh; but the money was forfeited on Cooper returning the following answer, per post:—“Owing to the distance of 400 miles, which must of necessity be traversed at an inclement season of the year” (less then a week would not then suffice, be it remembered), “his friends in the North had advised him to decline the offer at present; nevertheless, he wished it to be understood that he would increase the sum to £200 a-side, and meet Hickman in April, 1821. If, however, his English backers desired him absolutely to come without delay, he would comply with their wishes, and travel southward immediately.”
An amateur who was present at the reading of this letter observed, with very bad taste, “that Cooper did not dare to fight Hickman;” and Hickman, following suit, said, “that he would sooner have given 20 guineas himself, than such a disappointment should have occurred in the sporting world.” Hickman made sure, according to his own expressions, that he could “beat Cooper in a canter.”
In consequence of the backers of Cooper having forfeited to Hickman upon the second match, as above stated, the interest in the sporting world was much increased when the third match was made for 100 guineas a-side, in December, 1820, and the battle announced to take place on the ensuing 11th of April.
Cooper arrived in London, from Edinburgh (riding the whole of the 400 miles on horseback), on the 1st of March. From the circumstance of a man like Cooper, who had been defeated in the short space of fourteen minutes and a half, leaving a good business at the Britannia Tavern, Leith Street, Edinburgh, again to meet his opponent, subject to the general opinion of the fancy against him, he was justly pronounced to be one of the gamest men alive. The odds were six and seven to four against him. It was, however, thought by several of his friends, that his “fine fighting” would enable him to win it; and Cooper was confident in the extreme. During his training, at Riddlesdown, where he was taken great care of, he had a severe attack of illness, dyspepsia supervening, and boils breaking out upon his legs; a sufficient warning, we should think, that he was unfit for the hardy exercise imposed by training. The battle lasted but two rounds, and in three minutes our hero bit the dust a second time, from literally a chance shot under the ear! (See the details in the Life of Hickman, post.) The following remarks from a contemporary magazine, will show that there was more misfortune than disgrace in this second defeat:—
“It has created considerable surprise among the fancy, that no mark was left from a blow which effected such terrible execution; but that surprise must immediately cease, when it is explained anatomically. Had the blow come in contact with the angle of the jaw, a bruise might have been perceived; but even a slight hit on the jugular vein is capable of shaking the brain, suspending the circulation of the blood to and from the heart, and creating a sort of apoplexy. In like manner a heavy hit on the fleshy part of the neck may not leave a mark. Had Cooper been in proper condition, in all probability it would not have taken so severe an effect. During his training, ten boils came out on one of his legs, which so crippled him for a week, that he was compelled to rest it on a chair; and when that leg got well, boils broke out on the other; in consequence of which an old trainer (old Joe Ward), advised Cooper to take ‘three sweats’—the doctor also physicked him on the evening previous to the battle. If his leg had not been lanced he could not have walked to the ring; and on the morning of the battle his leg was also dressed half an hour before the fight.” Cooper was anxious for another trial, and several gentlemen promised to back him. “If he did not fight Hickman,” he said, “he would not fight any other person,” as he did not feel himself satisfied, as Pat observed, until he got “the value of a good bating.”
After the unexpected termination of this second encounter, Cooper seated himself beside the ring to witness the following battle between Collier and Evans. He was evidently more hurt in mind than body.
Cooper now lay by for nearly four years; he repaired to London in the spring of 1825, where, after a sparring bout, at the Fives Court, with Bill Eales, at Scroggins’s benefit, on Tuesday, April 26th, he was challenged by White-headed Bob (Ned Baldwin), and £50 was deposited, to be made £200 a-side, and to fight the first week in July. The constitutional warnings above noticed should have deterred Cooper from this contest with a game, fresh young man, but his spirit said no, and on the 5th of July, 1825, the scientific George Cooper closed his career in defeat. In this battle nature deserted him, and he broke the small bone of his right leg, in the 18th round, by a mere twist of the foot, consequent on the length of the spikes in his shoes; nevertheless, he came up three more rounds ere he surrendered.
This was Cooper’s last appearance; he deserved and retained the respect of those who knew him best, until his death, which took place at Laughton Gate, near Liverpool, February 14, 1834, in the 43rd year of his age.
This stalwart “navigator,”[152] at one period bid fair for a higher position on the pugilistic roll than his latter contests assigned to him. He was born at Wrotham, in Kent, on the 1st of May, 1787, where, when Tom was in the fourth year of his age, the memorable battle of Tom Johnson and Big Ben (Brain), took place for the championship. Tom used to say that in his boyhood this great fight, with its incidents, and the appearance of the champions, was the frequent theme of rustic talk, and deeply interested his youthful mind; the spot, often pointed out, being a short half mile from the cottage in which Shelton first saw the light.
At the age of three and twenty Tom found himself in London, and aspired to boxing fame. In height five feet ten inches, in weight twelve stone seven pounds, and inured to hard labour by his calling, Tom was “big enough and heavy enough” for anything. In August, 1812, having made the acquaintance of Caleb Baldwin, he was matched with Fitzgerald, an Irishman, of sixteen stone, and six feet and an inch. It was a sharp contest for the space of fifty-four minutes, when Shelton was declared the conqueror. The spectators who witnessed the efforts of the Navigator upon this occasion were astonished at the boxing requisites he displayed.
Two years, however, elapsed, during which Tom followed his calling, occasionally looking in at the Fives Court, where on the 31st May, 1814, at Cribb’s benefit, he put on the gloves as a “novice,” with Harry Harmer. In this affair Shelton showed so much courage and strength that many fancied him a match for that skilful professor. He was accordingly backed, after a long palaver of a twelvemonth, for 100 guineas, and on the 18th April, 1815, on Hounslow Heath, was cleverly defeated, after a most heroic battle of thirty-five minutes, fighting from beginning to end. (See Life of Harmer, Appendix to Period IV).
A Suffolk farmer, of the name of Studd, of superior weight and strength, anxious to obtain the honours of the ring, was matched with Shelton, for a subscription purse of twenty-five guineas. The mill took place on Tuesday, the 27th of June, 1815, at Moulsey Hurst. Harmer and Oliver seconded Shelton; Studd was waited upon by Richmond and Painter. Shelton was the favourite, two to one.
Round 1.—The superiority of science was soon discovered to be on the side of Shelton. The farmer endeavoured to thrash his opponent straight forward, and succeeded in planting two hits, but was awkwardness itself. A rally took place, in which Studd got the worst of it, and went down from a severe blow upon one of his peepers. (The odds all upon Shelton.)
2.—The farmer had no pretensions to scientific boxing, and bored in without the slightest judgment. Shelton nobbed him with the utmost ease, and at length hit him down. (Four to one on Shelton.)
3.—The farmer could not tell what to make of it. The claret was trickling down his mug, from the repeated facers he had experienced, and he was floored from a right-handed blow.
4.—Studd was quite abroad, and was sent down with the utmost ease. (Twenty to one upon Shelton.)
5.—Shelton’s work was all done, and victory was now certain. Studd, without discretion, rushed head foremost in; but the left hand of Shelton paid him dearly for his temerity, and he was again sent down.
6.—Studd, rather desperate, fought his way into a rally, and made one or two hits at random; but Shelton, with the utmost ease, milled him down. (All betters, but no takers.)
7.—Shelton hit his opponent all over the ring, and sent him down as heretofore.
8.—On coming to the scratch, it was evident the countryman could not last long. He appeared to be much better acquainted with thrashing corn than entering the prize ring. This Johnny Raw, it would seem, had flattered himself that the possession of strength was the main qualification for making a win, but he paid dearly for his erroneous notions. The science of Shelton rendered him so much at ease, that he treated the attempts of Studd with the utmost contempt—he hit him all round the ropes, and then finished the round by planting a floorer.
9 and last.—The farmer was completely satisfied that he had no chance whatever, and resigned the contest. Shelton retired from the ring without a mark upon his face, or a blow of any consequence. Studd was much punished, and his optics in a damaged state. This combat did not exceed thirteen minutes and a half.
Owing to some private pique, a match was made between Shelton and Richmond, which was decided at Moulsey Hurst, on Tuesday, the 1st of August, 1815, in which Shelton was defeated. Shelton, it seems, had received some instructions from Richmond. See page 298, ante.
Soon after this encounter, Shelton was visited by a severe illness, and so reduced in weight and strength that it was supposed he would never again enter the ring. He became a publican, by the aid of his friends, at the Bull’s Head, Cow Lane (since West Street), Smithfield, but his gambling propensities caused his failure in this line. In March, 1819, however, the following battle, which took place on the spur of the moment, tended to raise Shelton’s fame highly in the esteem of the amateurs. Shelton (who had been seconding Hickman) was induced to fight a nephew of Ben Burn, the pugilist, a giant by comparison, weighing nearly, if not quite, sixteen stone, for a subscription purse of twenty guineas. Shelton was much out of condition, but on the match being proposed to him, he instantly accepted it; he however advised his friends to be careful about backing him. Spring and Richmond seconded Burn, and Oliver and Harmer picked up Shelton.
TOM SHELTON.
From a Drawing by G. Sharples, 1821.
Round 1.—On stripping, the Yorkshireman proved indeed a giant; the comparison between Shelton and his opponent was nearly similar to the memorable contest between Perrins and Johnson.[153] Although the face of Burn had no terrific aspect, his bulk was truly formidable. The spectators expressed their fears for the result, and the general opinion was that Shelton had shown more pluck than judgment, and that he must soon be disposed of. Upon setting-to, this opinion was, in a great degree, strengthened. Burn bored in upon Shelton with confidence, and the former seemed quite overwhelmed by this mode of attack, and had no room to make a hit. The length of arm possessed by Burn gave him every advantage; he aimed a dreadful chopper at Shelton’s nob, which told but slightly. The latter, in a most singular manner, in getting away turned round twice. He, however, planted a facer, but slipped down. (“It’s all up,” was the cry; and seven to four was offered upon the “big one,” without hesitation.)
2.—Shelton’s left cheek was slightly tinged. The Giant went to work, and his long arms did severe execution. Shelton put in two belliers with great science, and got away. Burn was awkward, but his length enabled him to plant a facer that seemed to stagger Shelton. At length hit for hit took place, and both went staggering away from the force of each other’s blows. In closing, the struggle to obtain the throw was desperate; but Shelton got the “big one” undermost. The roar of applause was like the report of artillery; but still it was thought he could not stand up against such weight, and must ultimately be defeated.
3.—This was a terrific round; it was downright slaughtering. Shelton put in two bodiers, that seemed to puff the Giant’s wind out of his mouth. Hit for hit again occurred, without intermission; and Shelton received such a teazer on his left eye, that his nob was like a spinning top. Burn was almost beat to a stand-still, and Shelton in no better plight. The friends of Shelton, however, now ventured upon even betting, and took him for choice.
4.—Shelton took the lead in good fighting. He hit on the body again, and gave Burn such a rum one on the mouth as nearly deprived the latter of all his masticators. The Giant, however, gave Shelton a chopper on the top of his sconce, that made chaos of his upper works. Still Shelton, undismayed, fought like a hero, and ultimately threw his opponent. By way of encouragement to the Navigator, it was loudly vociferated, “Shelton for £100.” If staking had proved necessary, it might have turned out a mere flourish.
5.—The mugs of both the combatants bespoke their handywork. This was a ding-ong round, and the men fought till they both fell.
6.—The strength of Shelton did not keep pace with his good milling; he was much distressed, and got to the ropes, Brobdignag following him with his long chopper; the punishment was terrific. One of the Giant’s peepers was almost in darkness; he was also piping like a worn-out pair of bellows; but he kept fighting till they both went down.
7.—This round exceeded all that had gone before it in severity. The reciprocal facers were terrific, both of the combatants frequently going back from the effect of the blows. Shelton put in most hits, but was at length sent down.
8.—Shelton commenced with good science, and nearly floored his opponent’s teeth. Brobdignag, however, was not idle in returning nobbers; Shelton, with much dexterity, after making a heavy hit, instantly gave a back-hander, that spoiled the shape of his opponent’s nose. The applause was loud; but Shelton was sent down: the work he had to perform before victory was certain appeared too heavy for him to execute.
9.—Sparring and feints were out of the question; it was nothing but execution upon both sides. This round was equal to the seventh. Both the men stood up and hit till their strength was gone, when they closed and went down. Shelton appeared distressed, but Brobdignag was also very queer.
10.—Shelton, however, left his second’s knee first, and appeared at the scratch. He put in two facers without return, and also a bodier near the mark; but the Giant, furious at such treatment, ran in and got Shelton down. It was thought he hit the latter unfairly, but it was purely accidental. “Foul!” “Fair!” etc., were loudly bawled on all sides; but the umpires did not notice it. Oliver, with much confidence, now offered £10 to £2 upon Shelton.
11.—It was by no means safe to Shelton, although he came gaily up to fight. Some sharp work occurred, and Shelton was hit down.
12 and last.—Little Gulliver seemed the giant in this round, for Brobdignag was hit to a stand-still. He was quite sick. He, however, milled as long as he was able, and Shelton received some heavy blows. In closing, both went down; but when time was called, the Giant could not answer the sound of the trumpet, and victory was declared for Shelton. It occupied about sixteen minutes. Shelton gave a dreadful back-handed facer in this round.
Remarks.—Shelton never took so much, nor fought better, if so well, throughout his pugilistic career. To say the least of it, if calculation or comparison can be admitted, it was a sort of “nothing venture, nothing win.” It proved successful, and, with the many-headed, that is the only touchstone of all exploits. Shelton not only gained the purse by the event, but raised himself highly in public opinion. He won by nothing else but his good fighting. Burn knew little about scientific boxing, but acted like a determined man. Both men were heavily punished. It ought not to be forgotten that Shelton had been acting as second to the Gas man, drinking porter, etc., and was called into action without any training, and under every disadvantage. A subscription was made upon the ground for Burn.
“Uncle Ben,” was much disgusted at this defeat of “cousin Bob,” and found a dozen excellent reasons why he ought not to have lost the fight, so that Bob was indulged with another “shy,” the money staked, and the day fixed for Tuesday, June 1st, 1819. Moulsey Hurst was once more the campus martius, and early on the Tuesday morning aforesaid “the lads wot love to see a fight” were in motion. Scarcely, however, had the cavalcade reached Hampton when it was clear from the whisperings of groups, and the ghastly smile on the face of more than one publican, that a screw was loose. The only anxiety now was where the mill was likely to take place. The circumstance of the removal was in consequence of the person who rented the ferry refusing the London watermen permission to exercise their occupation in ferrying the passengers over at the last fight, and also in having several of them fined for so doing; they, in turn, vowed revenge, went to the magistrates, and laid an information respecting the fight between Burn and Shelton. This conduct spoiled Moulsey, and Hounslow Heath was immediately substituted. Considerable betting occurred at all the sporting houses the preceding evening, and the Giant was decidedly the favourite, 6 and 7 to 4. The ring being formed at a little after one o’clock, Shelton appeared, followed by Cribb and Randall, and threw up his hat; and Burn, with his relative Ben Burn, and Donnelly, entered the ring. Burn threw his topper into the roped square to answer the challenge, but the wind blew it out to some distance. This trifling event was considered an unfavourable omen to “Hercules.” The odds now changed, and Shelton was the favourite, or rather it was even betting.
Round 1.—On stripping, Burn appeared in fine condition. Some sparring took place, and Shelton was rather cautious. The Giant at length let fly with his right on Shelton’s body, but it was slight. The latter returned a bodier with his left sharply, and immediately planted a tremendous facer that was heard over the ring, repeated it still harder, and the Giant went down like a log. (Great shouting.)
2.—The big one appeared a little confused, and he received another nobber. He now became furious, and made some hits; but Shelton repeated the dose severely, and Burn fell upon his face. (Greater shouting than before, and five to one on Shelton was offered.)
3.—The Giant made a desperate hit on the body, and otherwise stuck to Shelton; but the nobbing system was again adopted by the latter with success. In closing, both down, Shelton uppermost.
4.—This was a tremendous round, and the hitting upon both sides was terrific. Shelton undermost.
5.—The superior two-handed fighting of Shelton astonished the ring. He put in five facers so sharply, that Burn ran in after his adversary, and, in falling, hung by the ropes till down.
6.—Sharp exchanges, till Shelton hit down Burn. It was nothing but downright milling.
7.—Shelton hit the big one staggering away; he would not be denied, but returned furiously to the attack, and sent Shelton down. (“Well done, Burn; Shelton will soon be on the go.”)
8.—Shelton broke away in fine style, but in closing, the Giant fell upon him heavily.
9.—Shelton seemed at work at an anvil, and closed the left eye of his opponent. He was, however, undermost.
10.—Burn was hit almost to a stand-still; but he recovered, and hit Shelton down. It appeared almost impossible for Shelton to take the fight out of his opponent.
11.—Shelton had worked so hard that he seemed rather weak, and went down from a slight hit.
12.—The fine science of Shelton made the Giant quite foam again. He nobbed him and broke away with the utmost dexterity, while Gog kept passionately following Shelton, receiving at every step: the latter ultimately went down.
13.—This round rather alarmed the friends of Shelton; for, although the latter kept pegging away, he could not keep the Giant out. He seemed to defy punishment, and resolutely ran in; indeed, in closing, he not only fibbed Shelton severely, but, in struggling for the throw, positively lifted him half a foot from the ground, when, quite exhausted, both fell. (“Bravo! bravo!” from all parts of the ring; and “This is something like fighting.”)
14.—Gog plunged in to work, and Shelton was impelled forward and hung on the ropes; he, however, extricated himself, and the big one was undermost.
15 to 17.—The fighting was desperate in all these rounds; but Shelton, although getting weaker from his great exertions, kept the lead.
18.—The Giant ran in at Shelton, when the latter stopped him with such a nobber that he went down on his face.
19.—Burn was drunk from the nobbing he received, still he returned manfully to the charge, till both went down.
20.—Shelton’s face exhibited heavy punishment, but Burn’s head was terrific—it had been in chancery for the last ten minutes. The former ran himself down.
21.—The Giant went down from a hit like a shot. This blow was given in the body; the big one’s ogles rolled again, and his tongue lolled out of his mouth.
22.—It was astonishing to see the Giant recover and come to the scratch. Shelton had the worst of this round, and received some dreadful punishment. The odds wavering a little as Shelton went down.
23.—Shelton again down. (Even betting; some fears expressed for Shelton’s weakness.)
24 to 26.—Not safe to Shelton in all these rounds.
27.—A singular round. Both turned round and went down. (Two to one on Shelton.) In this round the latter was again lifted off his legs like a doll.
28.—This round was so well fought by Shelton, that Cribb roared out, “One hundred guineas to a farthing—it’s all right.”
29 and 30.—In favour of Shelton, but both distressed.
31.—Burn so hit that he dragged Shelton after him as he was falling.
32.—This was a well fought round; and notwithstanding the Giant was nobbed right away from his opponent, he recovered, and ran after Shelton, swinging his arms quite abroad, as it were, and accidentally hit his man down.
33.—Shelton got up angry, and was losing his temper, but his seconds warned him of his danger. He at length grew cool, became himself, fought scientifically, and by a tremendous facer floored his big opponent. (Great shouting; and “He’ll not fight another round.”)
34.—Notwithstanding the punishment the Giant had received, his peepers nearly darkened, his wind did not appear to be bad; and as for his game, he proved himself a glutton of the first mould. This was a sharp round and Shelton, to the astonishment of the ring, was hit down, although the Giant appeared quite done up the round before.
35.—The good fighting of Shelton now made it quite safe. He put in one, two, three so sharply on the mug of Burn, that he went down on his face in a state of stupor.
36.—The strength of Burn’s seconds could scarcely drag him up to place him on their knees. It was now Eclipse to a lame donkey; Gog was floored in a twinkling.
37 and last.—Burn was hit down like a shot, and could not come again. It occupied thirty-two minutes and ten seconds. Burn was so dreadfully beaten that it was some minutes before he was made sensible, and carried out of the ring.
Remarks.—Shelton proved himself this day a superior fighter. He hit with both hands with a facility that astonished all the amateurs; and it was thought that not one on the list, of his weight, could cope with him. He evinced great game, and was in fine condition. Burn, too, behaved manfully in the extreme; more real courage was never witnessed.
Shelton was now matched against Benniworth, the Essex Champion, for fifty guineas a-side, at Southend, on Friday, June 25, 1819, to fight on that day six weeks. A deposit of £20 a-side was also put down. In consequence of an accident, which Shelton met with at a dinner given to Bob Gregson, at the Maid and Magpie, St. Catherine’s, on Tuesday, June 29, it was thought he must not only have forfeited to Benniworth, but that he never would have been able to enter the Prize Ring again. The artery of his right arm was cut across with a rummer. Two surgeons immediately dressed the wound, and he recovered in a very short time; but the friends of Benniworth preferred forfeiting the deposit of £20, to risking the event of a contest.
A match of much interest was now made between Shelton and Tom Oliver (see Oliver, Period V.), and Thursday, December 23, 1819, named for the battle, Copthorne, twenty-eight miles from London, being the rendezvous. The day proved a deluge, and when the half-drowned wayfarers had reached Blindlow Heath, twenty-three miles from town, they found that the ring had been made there. The backers of Shelton protested against the fight taking place on this spot, to Gibbons, the ring-maker, as being not only contrary to the order given, but that it was swampy, and surrounded with puddles of water; that they should proceed to Copthorne, where Shelton had been moved the day preceding, and they left a communication for the commander-in-chief to that effect.
On the arrival of the latter gentleman at Blindlow Heath, he sent an express to Copthorne (which, however, did not arrive till twenty minutes before two o’clock), for Shelton to return and meet Oliver at the former place. Shelton declared he was ready to fight anywhere; but his backers firmly insisted that Copthorne was the place named, and only at Copthorne should he fight. Upon the return of the messenger to Blindlow, Oliver threw up his hat in the ring for Shelton to come forward; a ring was also formed at Copthorne, where Shelton waited till three o’clock for the arrival of Oliver, but without effect. Thus, singularly enough, there were two rings, but no fight. Kendrick and Sutton, a pair of “niggers,” however, sported their sable skins, and Sutton was the victor.
To return to Oliver and Shelton. The men and their friends met at Riddlesdown, and it was formally agreed to meet at Sawbridgeworth, which they did on the 13th January, 1820, when, after a desperate battle, full of fluctuations, Shelton was defeated in fifty-one minutes (See Oliver, post).
The particulars of Tom’s match with George Cooper, and his defeat at Moulsey, June 27, 1820, will be found in the memoir of George Cooper, ante, p. 314.
On Tuesday, August 18, 1820, at a place called Kit’s Cotty House, about three miles and a half from Maidstone, a purse of £20 was subscribed for a match between Shelton and a big navigator; but in consequence of the latter not appearing in the ring to “show fight” at the appointed time, £10 were given to Shelton.
Carter had been for a few months in Ireland, on a sparring tour, but, on his return, he did not seem much improved in purse or person by the trip. Finding himself in company with Shelton, at a sporting dinner, held at the Brown Bear, Bow Street, the Lancashire Champion spoke disparagingly of Shelton’s capabilities; some discussion followed, and twenty pounds being posted, Shelton replied to the boasting challenge by accepting it instanter. The affair was short, but by no means sweet to Carter, for Shelton beat him to a stand-still in three rounds only. This was on the 10th of July, 1821.
The renowned Josh. Hudson was next matched with our hero, for £100 a-side; the battle was decided at Harpenden Common, near St. Alban’s, on the 10th of December, 1822.
About a quarter before one, Josh. Hudson, stylishly dressed, with white silk hose, and his drawers on ready for action, threw his white topper into the ring with the confidence of a winning man, followed by his seconds, Randall and Tom Owen. He paced up and down the ring for a considerable time, when Shelton was called for, but he did not appear. At length Randall, rather out of temper, said, “It was an unmanly action to keep his man waiting so long in the cold; and if it was for his money he would take Hudson out of the ring.” Tom Cribb soon after showed himself, when Shelton was discovered crossing a wagon, followed by Tom Belcher as his second. Shelton, in a very cool manner, threw his hat into the ring, and immediately went up and shook hands with his opponent. The colours, blue for Shelton, were tied to the stakes by Belcher; and green, for Hudson, were tied over Shelton’s by Tom Owen. The odds had changed since the fight was made, and Hudson was decidedly the favourite.