Into the eye—and then—the Fight!”[[151]]

Cooper, since his defeat by the Gas Light Man, had rather lost ground in the estimation of the amateurs; and Shelton was decidedly the favourite, at six and five to four. But the odds were reduced on the night previous to the battle, and the takers had the majority. The Hurst displayed a fine show of the Corinthians. At five minutes after one, Cooper, dressed in a smock frock, entered the ring, and threw up his hat, followed by his seconds Belcher and Harmer. Shortly afterwards Shelton also threw up his hat, he was attended by Randall and Spring. The betting was guineas to pounds.

THE FIGHT.

Round 1.—On stripping, Shelton appeared in the highest condition; so careful and attentive had he been to the rules of training, that it was asserted a glass of spirits had not passed his lips for the previous four months. Cooper looked pale, and his backers wished that he had had the advantage of one more week’s training; still it was observed that George was never in better fighting trim. On setting-to both combatants appeared equally confident. After eyeing each other for about a half minute, and dodging to obtain a good opportunity to plant the first hit; Shelton tried to put in one, two, but without effect. He then followed Cooper close into the corner of the ring (in the style of the Gas Light Man, but without his execution), and after some exchanges, in appearance rather to the advantage of Shelton, both went down in a close, Cooper undermost. (Loud shouting, and “Go along Shelton; that’s the way, my boy!”)

2.—Cooper, with the utmost dexterity, put in a tremendous hit with his right hand on the ribs of his opponent, and broke away without getting any return. This blow was so terrific as to make Shelton bend like a bow. Cooper repeated the dose, and got away. Shelton now pursued Cooper, and made a hit; but in return received a flooring blow under his left eye, that not only produced the claret, but he turned and fell on one knee. (Cooper’s partizans were roaring with delight, “You’re sure to win it, George.”)

3.—The fine science of Cooper now burst forth, and another ribber was the result, the agony of which was seen in Shelton’s face. The latter, however, administered some severe punishment when in-fighting till both went down.

4.—Caution on both sides marked the commencement of this round. The hits were tremendous; but Shelton at in-fighting had the best of it; he also gave Cooper so severe a nobber, that he in turn went round and fell. (“Bravo, Shelton; it’s all right.”)

5.—Shelton could not protect his ribs, and another dreadful hit upon them was the consequence; he was again screwed up, as it were, and Cooper got away. Shelton, however, in most courageous style, returned to the attack, and planted a tremendous blow on Cooper’s face. Cooper staggered and went down. (Five to three on Shelton, and tumultuous applause.)

6.—The fighting on both sides was excellent, till the men got to the ropes in a close, when fibbing was resorted to by both in turn. Shelton kept punishing his opponent’s nob; while Cooper was giving pepper to the body and ribs of Shelton. Cooper, by a desperate effort, jumped up and hit Shelton in the face. Both went down, their nobs exhibiting severe punishment.

7.—The superior fighting of Cooper in this round claimed the admiration, and obtained cheers from all parts of the ring. He not only ribbed his opponent heavily, and broke ground, but stopped Shelton (excellent fighter as the latter showed himself) in a style that astonished the oldest amateur. In closing, both down.