At the Minor theatre, on Tuesday, May 25, 1819, when Donnelly, Carter, and Cooper, took a benefit, the following circumstance tended to raise the scientific acquirements of the latter still more highly in the estimation of the public.
Upon Randall’s appearing on the stage as a spectator, there was a general cry of “Randall, Randall;” and the Nonpareil immediately gratified the wishes of the audience by entering the lists with the accomplished scientific Cooper. From the well-known excellence of both the men, a great treat was expected, and most certainly an extraordinary trial of skill was exhibited. Cooper was extremely unwell; nevertheless, the elegance of his manner, the admirable stops he made, the peculiar style of bobbing his head aside to avoid the coming blow, his fine position, either to protect himself or to give the assault, and his formidable hitting at out-fighting, claimed the admiration and praise of every one present; and much astonishment was expressed how a novice (the Black) could have mauled him so much in their recent turn-up, without he had been “how came you so,” indeed. This set-to was also a fine opportunity for Randall to show his pugilistic perfection. He was here opposed to first-rate talents, and he proved himself a Nonpareil indeed. In addition to the superior skill of Cooper, Randall had also weight and length against him. Randall, though not so showy and elegant as his opponent, proved equally effective; he stopped with much adroitness, hit with his antagonist, and put in a little one now and then with a nicety of eye that showed he suffered not the slightest opening to escape him. In the last round, Randall exhibited the severity of his peculiar style of in-fighting, with which the combat closed. Thunders of applause compensated the combatants for their exertions. Such an exhibition of the art of self-defence is not often witnessed; for it is only in placing men of similar talent against each other that interesting exhibitions can be made.
In July, 1819, Cooper, in his cards of address, informed the public that in consequence of his not being able to get a customer, to fill up his time he was giving practical illustrations on the art of self-defence, at his rooms, in Cateaton Street, for a short time, previous to his return to Edinburgh.
A match was now proposed, for £100 a-side, between Shelton and Cooper, but owing to some trifling obstacles it went off for that year, when Cooper, in company with Donnelly, set out on a sparring tour to Manchester, Liverpool, Ireland, Edinburgh, etc.
Early in the spring of 1820, George returned to London, and lost no time in communicating his intentions to the amateurs of once more entering the prize ring. Therefore, on Tuesday, March 7, Cooper appeared at the Fives Court, at Shelton’s benefit, when he mounted the stage and thus addressed the audience:—“Gentlemen, I have come from Edinburgh to London, not for the sake of sparring, for I mean fighting, and nothing else (bravo!) I will fight Shelton for from £100 to £200, and give him his own time; and I will also fight any man of my own weight in the kingdom for £50 a-side in three weeks.” Shelton immediately accepted the challenge.
This public declaration of Cooper’s put him “all right” with the amateurs: and betting commenced briskly upon the event. The match for £100 a-side was made on the Friday evening following, at Shelton’s house, the Bull’s Head in Cow Lane, Smithfield, to come off on Tuesday, June 27, 1820, in a twenty-four feet ring; a deposit of £20 a-side being put down.
In consequence of Cooper’s also giving a challenge to any man of his weight in the kingdom, to fight for £50 a-side in three weeks, a match was proposed to Hickman (the Gas Light Man) to enter the lists with Cooper. Both the combatants meeting at the Royal Tennis Court, at Cy. Davis’s benefit, on Tuesday, March 14, Hickman said he had no objection to it, provided Cooper did not weigh more than he did. Upon reference to the scales, it appeared that the Gas Light Man was the heavier by a quarter of a pound. Mr. Jackson guaranteed a purse, the contest was decided upon, and both men went into training.
On Tuesday, the 28th of March, 1820, Hickman and Cooper fought at Farnham Royal, near Dawney Common, contiguous to Stowe House, Buckinghamshire, twenty-four miles from London, immediately after Martin and Cabbage had left the ring. The current betting was two to one upon Cooper on setting-to; but, to the astonishment of the good judges, Hickman proved the conqueror in the short space of fifteen minutes. This surprising contest will be found detailed in the memoir of Hickman, in Period V.
Notwithstanding this unexpected defeat Cooper satisfied the amateurs that his game was as good as his science; and, as a proof that he had not lost the patronage of the sporting world, his benefit at the Fives Court, only two days after the battle, was well attended. Cooper took the money at the door, his head tied up with a handkerchief, and exhibiting marks of tremendous punishment.
It was whispered about, that in consequence of this defeat the match would be off between Cooper and Shelton, and the £20 down forfeited; but as another proof that George had not lost the confidence of his backers, his money, £100, was made good with the greatest alacrity. Shelton, however, was the favourite, at six and five to four, and unusual interest was excited throughout the sporting world.