Among the minor pugilists, Tom Tyne deserves a passing notice. The vulgar proverb of “nine tailors make a man” found its exception in this small-sized but large-souled boxer, who always fought “up-hill” against weight and inches, displaying much science, and in those rough days what was called too much “shiftiness.” Tyne’s first recorded fight came off at Croydon on the 1st of July, 1788, for 50 guineas. His opponent was Bill Jones, a powerful boxer, and who had earned a name by defeating Dunn, a clumsy and game Irishman, in Bloomsbury Fields, in 1786, besides other bye-battles. On this occasion Jones was seconded by Joe Ward, and Tyne by the renowned Tom Johnson. As it is our plan nothing to extenuate nor set down aught in malice, we shall, as is our practice, where possible, print the contemporary report.
“Tyne evidently possessed the advantage in science, independent of his great superiority arising from the shy mode of shifting and dropping. Jones, on the contrary, stood manfully up to his man, and made many dexterous efforts, which, however, were frustrated by the illusive and evasive system of his antagonist, who always fell whenever he received or put in a blow. Jones had in point of beating the worst of the battle, but still the best prospect of ultimate success, from his superior strength and bottom; until by following up a blow too far, he struck his antagonist unfairly, somewhere about the waistband of the breeches, when Tyne was immediately declared the conqueror.”
Tom’s next display was in the presence of royalty, and proved most unfortunate in its result. On August 6th, 1788, the Grand Stand on Brighton Race-course was crowded with nobility and gentry to witness the decision of three matches on a stage erected for that purpose. The Prince of Wales and a large party from the Pavilion were present. The first combatants were Bill Jones, already mentioned, and Watson, of Bristol (see Watson); the second, Joe Ward and Reynolds (see Ward); the third, between our hero and Earl.
This contest, unhappily for Tom, ended in a fatal accident. Earl was a powerful rustic, far heavier and taller than Tom, whose height was five feet seven inches, and weight nine stone seven pounds. Earl from his appearance was the favourite at odds, and “was becoming triumphant very fast, when Tyne struck him a sharp left-handed blow on the side of the head, which drove him against the rail of the stage. He fell insensible, and immediately expired. The Prince of Wales, greatly to his honour,” adds the reporter, “immediately settled an annuity on the wife and family of Earl, and took the determination never to be present at another pugilistic contest.” We hope the first promise was kept better than the second, otherwise the prince’s annuity was merely another stone in the pavement of that place where “good intentions” are said to make the roadway smooth.
Tom was now matched against a clever boxer, Elisha Crabbe, the Jew, who had earned some fame by beating “Old Oliver,” as he was termed. The battle took place in a field adjoining Boston Moor, on Monday, March 24, 1790. We copy the report from the Daily Advertiser.
“Tyne had Johnson for his second, and James, the waterman, for his bottle-holder. Lee seconded the Jew, and Joe Ward held the bottle. At about half-past two the contending bruisers appeared, amidst at least 2,000 spectators, and on stripping, six to four was betted in favour of the tailor.”
THE FIGHT.
Round 1.—There was some extremely good sparring; they both closed, and Crabbe fell, but gave his adversary a severe blow on the nose which produced great effusion of blood.
8.—The Jew gave his opponent a real knock-down blow, and fell upon him.
14.—Tyne again fell by his antagonist’s blow.