[Gutenberg 64111] • Pugilistica · The History of British Boxing, Volume 3 (of 3) / Containing Lives of the Most Celebrated Pugilists · Full Reports of Their Battles from Contemporary Newspapers, With Authentic Portraits, Personal Anecdotes, and Sketches of the Principal Patrons of the Prize Ring, Forming a Complete History of the Ring from Fig and Broughton, 1719-40, to the Last Championship Battle Between King and Heenan, in December 1863

Purchase of this book includes free trial access to www.million-books.com where you can read more than a million books for free. This is an OCR edition with typos. Excerpt from book: first time, a superficial estimate of their condition could be formed. Burke presented all that fine muscular development for which he is famed, but he was pale, and it struck us most forcibly that his flesh wanted that firmness and consistency, the sure consequence of perfect training, and to the attainment of which the mode in which he passed his time was anything but conducive; still he was playful and confident, and regarded his adversary with a look of conscious superiority. Bendigo, in point of muscularity, was inferior to Burke, especially in the shoulders, arms, and neck, but he appeared in perfect condition, and firm as iron. The colour of his skin was healthful; his countenance exhibited perfect self-possession, and wore an easy smile of confidence. The current odds, on setting to, were six to four on Burke, with plenty of takers. In Nottingham, where the physical qualities of Bendigo were better known, the odds had been as low as five to four. THE FIGHT. Round 1.? Tlie position of Burke was e: isy nid unconstrained. He stood rather s]iiare, bis left foot in advance, and his arms well up, us if waiting for hie antagonist to break ground. Bendigo, on the contrary, dropped hie right shoulder, stooped a little, and, light foot foremost, seemed prepared to let lly left or right ? the opportunity offered. After a little mamuuvi ing, he made ? catching feint with his left, but found the Deaf 'un immovably on his guard. They changed ground, both ready, when Bendigo let go his right, and ctiught Burke on the libs, leaving a visible impression of his knuckles. More man?xivring. Bendigo tried his left, but was stopped. The Deaf 'un popped in his right, and caught Bendigo on t In' ear, but soon had a slap in return from Bendigo'e right, under the eye, as straight as an arro...