“By the termination of this battle, Power, who was originally intended to have contested with Dogherty, but could no where be found, came in, and another purse was subscribed to the same amount for him and Richmond. An honourable baronet and Cribb seconded Richmond, and an amateur Colonel and Bill Gibbons, Power.
“Richmond having seconded the preceding battle for an hour, set-to with great disadvantage, and for the first round had the worst of it, but, as every amateur might have expected, his science gave him the best of the remainder. Richmond excels in hitting and getting away; and Power, who is a resolute fighter, was continually boring in upon his opponent, and this sort of game always gets a man the worst of the battle with such an opponent as the black. By this system Power was completely beat in a quarter of an hour. He was frequently hit twice in the face in a second, and frequently brought down by a favourite left-handed hit of Richmond’s, who, on the other hand, received no other injury throughout the battle than a slight blow in the face. Forty shillings out of the purse consoled Power for his bad fate; and Richmond sat down to his wine £18 richer, and with the amateurs toasted fighters and fighting till three o’clock in the morning.”
Richmond now became a publican, at the Horse and Dolphin, in St. Martin’s Street, and as he was a shrewd fellow, his house was well frequented.
Richmond acquired considerable notoriety from his patronage of Molineaux; and, so far as we can learn, his generous behaviour to that pugilist, who came to him an entire stranger, destitute of friends or money, received an ungrateful return. It is certain Molineaux was indebted for that patronage and attention which he afterwards received from persons of distinction, to his introduction by Richmond.
Richmond, after the contest between Molineaux and Carter, April 2, 1813, challenged either of them for £100.
Five years had nearly elapsed since Richmond had exhibited in the P.R., when, to the astonishment of many, he declared his intention of contending for the first purse of 50 guineas, given by the Pugilistic Club, at Coombe Wood, on Tuesday, May 3, 1814. Everything was conducted with appropriate attention congenial to the patronage bestowed upon the occasion, which was much more conspicuous than hitherto. The members of the club were dressed in their uniform (blue and buff); and those persons who were appointed to clear the outer ring wore dark blue ribbons in their hats, to designate their appointment, tending to prevent any sort of confusion, because, at other times, men so acting have been challenged with officiousness. The stakes and ropes were entirely new, and upon the former the initials of the club (P.C.) were painted. Three ropes went round the ring, which was twenty-four feet. Davis, a fine, tall, powerful, young, athletic navigator, had thumped his way into notice, by serving seven or eight customers with tolerable ease; his weight was twelve stone ten pounds, and his age twenty-four years. The veteran man of colour, who dared him to the conflict was twelve stone two pounds, and in his fifty-second year! Davis entered first; he threw up his hat, bowed to the spectators and was well received. Richmond soon followed, paid the like attention and was equally applauded. Their seconds now began to perform their office, Joe Ward and Dick Whale for Davis, and Tom Belcher and Bill Gibbons for Richmond. It was a sunny day, and the toss for the shady side was won for Richmond. A few minutes after one the set-to commenced.
THE FIGHT.
Round 1.—From the well known science of Richmond, and his peculiar forte of hitting and getting away, considerable interest was excited. Davis being under the guidance of the veteran Joe Ward, it was presumed by the fancy that the navigator would be made awake to the dangerous mode of his antagonist, and be on the alert not to be cut up and spoiled before his powers could be fairly brought into action. Davis did not want for confidence; he made a good hit with his left, which was stopped by Richmond, who also returned right and left, but without material effect. Davis, anxious to make a beginning, and full of vigour, followed up his man, and planted a smart hit on Richmond’s temple with his right, which knocked him down instantly. (Betting took a lift, and seven to four was loudly vociferated upon Davis.)
2.—Spirited exchanges, and some heavy blows passed. Richmond drew the cork of his antagonist; nevertheless, the man of colour was again levelled. (Two to one was sported upon Davis, in the exultation of the moment, by his friends.)
3.—Richmond began to show off the mastery of the art; milling the nob of his antagonist severely, and getting away; Davis, with much resolution, bored in, when, after closing, both went down, Richmond undermost.