22.—A rally, and Gregson bored down his opponent. (Ten to one was offered that Cribb did not come again.)
23.—Cribb at meeting had just strength enough to put in two slight hits, and closed. They wrestled, and Cribb threw Gregson, who fell like lead. He was, however, put again on his second’s knee, but on time being called was unable to come forward, having been seriously hurt in the last fall. Cribb, on hearing the news might have considered it the luckiest moment of his life: he immediately fell into his second’s arms, and remained apparently exhausted for some minutes.
On recovering, Cribb challenged Richmond, who had offended him, to fight immediately for 50 guineas, but this was prevented.
Remarks.—Gregson sustained in this contest as much injury as he did with Gully, and proved himself a bad judge of his distances, and, as every scientific amateur always considered him, a novice in the art of pugilism. In rallying he had but one hit, which, if it failed not only to take effect, but to stun his adversary, the rally was sure to terminate greatly to his disadvantage; still Cribb never was secure of beating him, for although hit several times to a stand-still, he recovered his wind at intervals, and certainly stood up with the most undaunted courage. Cribb fought upon his old plan of retreating, in order to wind his adversary, and by this means always fights at home. He was here particularly successful with his left-handed hits, as Gregson’s face showed by its dreadfully bruised state. Cribb’s principal backer presented him with £150, as a reward for his undaunted courage; and Mr. Jackson kindly collected a handsome subscription purse for the unfortunate Gregson. Gregson was conveyed to the King’s Head at Hampton, and Cribb to the Toy Inn at Hampton Court. They were both bled, and remained quiet until Wednesday evening, when they returned to town. The Duke of York, the Marquis of Tweeddale, Lords Yarmouth, Craven, Brook, Barrymore, and Somerville, with a large number of military and naval officers and sporting gentlemen were upon the ground.
This battle, which almost equalled in severity that between Gully and Gregson, brought Cribb to the elevation of the championship, Mr. Gully having, as we have seen, formally retired from the position. No sooner did this come to the ears of Jem Belcher—who was still smarting under the defeat he had sustained at the hands of Cribb, which he never ceased maintaining was the result of an accident to his wrist—than he sent forth a challenge to Cribb, for another trial for the belt and 200 guineas. Cribb readily responded; the preliminaries were arranged, and Monday, February 1, 1809, fixed for the combat. Captain Barclay again came forward as Cribb’s backer and trainer, and the odds were seven to four in Tom’s favour. Belcher went into training at Virginia Water, and it was stated he was in excellent condition and spirits.
On the Monday above-mentioned, in a thirty feet roped ring, on Epsom race-course, the men met, Belcher entering the enclosure at half past twelve, waited upon by Dan Mendoza and Bob Clarke. Soon afterwards Cribb threw his “castor” into the ring, followed by Joe Ward and Bill Gibbons. Two and then three to one were offered on Cribb.
THE FIGHT.
Round 1.—Sparring for half a minute, Belcher made two hits; Cribb parried one, but the other got home in the body. Cribb returned; Belcher made a half-armed stop. They closed, and Belcher fell, but lightly.
2.—Cribb made play, and threw in a body hit. Belcher rallied. Some good blows exchanged, and Cribb threw his opponent.
3.—No visible marks of hitting yet. Belcher very gay, with great skill made two lunging hits right and left, the last of which Cribb received in full force under his left ear, and a copious discharge of blood followed. Some blows well exchanged at a distance. Cribb threw Belcher again, but manifestly had the worst of the round as to hitting.