28.—This round showed the advantages of science in perfection. Cooper was so far gone that he seemed not to have a hit in him. Shelton, like a good fighter, perceiving that the coup de grace was necessary, and no danger to be apprehended, from giving it, went boldly in to pepper his opponent, and put an end to his troubles; when, strange to say, the guard of Cooper was so fine, that he parried off all the force of his opponent’s blows, till he fell from mere exhaustion. (“Bravo! Cooper; you’re an excellent man.”)
29.—Shelton made some good hits, but Cooper stopped “beautifully,” till he again felt the turf. (Seven to one.)
30.—It was expected another round would finish it, from the exhausted state of Cooper. The latter fought like a hero, but received a facer, staggered, and fell. (“It’s all up—he can’t come again.” Ten to one.)
31.—The intense heat of the sun still continuing, so added to the languor of Cooper, that it seemed almost impossible he could appear at the scratch. George, nevertheless, made some hits, and stopped with great skill; yet he got the worst of it, and was sent out of the ropes. (Any odds on Shelton, and “Take him away, he can’t win it!”)
32.—How fallible is often the judgment of the multitude! Cooper, to the astonishment of every one present, lifted up the ropes with his hand, and came into the ring with but little assistance; while on the knee of his second the “water of life” was administered to him, and produced the desired effect. This was a good round, and Cooper still showed fight and science. Shelton, however, made a right-handed hit on Cooper’s face, and immediately afterwards repeated it with the back of the same hand. Cooper went down very weak. Ten pounds to half-a-crown was offered. While Cooper was lying on the ground, and he was ordered to remain in that state by Belcher, Oliver came to the latter, and begged of him to take Cooper away, as he had no chance whatever to win. “Blow my Dickey,” replies Tom; “very pretty advice, indeed! What! take a winning man away? Oh, no! we’ll leave it all to the cook!”
33.—Cooper showed fight, till both went down. (£100 to £5, and £100 to £3, were offered upon Shelton, so strongly did it appear to some old betting men that Shelton must win it.)
34 and last.—The conclusion of this round operated upon the spectators like a well executed conjuring trick. On setting-to, some little pushing took place, when Cooper appeared as if in the act of going down. Catching the upper rope with his right, he gathered himself well up, and making a firm stand, let fly with his left hand so dreadfully upon Shelton’s mouth, that he instantly fell (slightly touching the stake with his head) upon his side, like a lump of lead. The fight was all out of him. His seconds, Spring and Randall, with the greatest alacrity, dragged him up, as it were, for he had no movement in him. This was a most interesting moment. Cooper sat on Harmer’s knee, and as Belcher was wiping him with the handkerchief, half turned round, watching the appearance of Shelton, and with a part of his eye directed towards the umpires and referee, who had all their stop-watches in their hands, waiting for the decisive moment to arrive. The anxiety of Belcher’s face was a perfect study, and his fingers had almost involuntarily reached his topper, when “Time” was called; but the game, the gallant, and unfortunate Shelton heard not the sound, and victory was proclaimed for Cooper. It was indeed a proud moment for him. He lifted up his hands and waved one over his head, and left the ring, amidst the cheers of the spectators. The battle was over in thirty-four minutes.
Remarks.—Cooper proved himself not only one of the finest fighters on the list, but as game a man as is to be found throughout the annals of pugilism. The intense heat of the sun was enough to annihilate the strength of a giant. Shelton also proved himself a first-rate pugilist, with courage of the highest quality. It was remarked that Shelton’s two last fights were in the extremes—upon the coldest and hottest days in the season. Further comment is unnecessary, as it was admitted by all persons present to have been one of the greatest pugilistic treats witnessed for the previous twenty years. The amateurs were delighted beyond measure, and before Cooper left the ring, a gentleman offered to back him against the Gas Light Man for 100 guineas.
Cooper was severely punished; he, however, did not remain longer in London than was actually necessary to reinstate him in his health, when he returned to Edinburgh to take possession of the Britannia Tavern, in Leith Street.
Cooper’s triumph over Shelton so far restored him in the esteem of his friends, that a second match with the tremendous Gas was loudly talked of in the sporting circles; and in the month of October, 1820, at a sporting dinner at the Castle, Tom Belcher posted a £5 note for a second battle, against the like amount of Hickman’s, to fight for £100 a-side. Cooper at this time was in Edinburgh; but the money was forfeited on Cooper returning the following answer, per post:—“Owing to the distance of 400 miles, which must of necessity be traversed at an inclement season of the year” (less then a week would not then suffice, be it remembered), “his friends in the North had advised him to decline the offer at present; nevertheless, he wished it to be understood that he would increase the sum to £200 a-side, and meet Hickman in April, 1821. If, however, his English backers desired him absolutely to come without delay, he would comply with their wishes, and travel southward immediately.”