The wet state of the weather in the early part of the morning prevented great numbers of the fancy from quitting the metropolis, and although it was extremely fine in the neighbourhood of Coombe Wood, there were not above six hundred persons present, among whom were Colonel Berkeley, Captain Barclay, Messrs. Jackson and Gully, Cribb, Carter, Oliver, Scroggins, Crockey, Ballard, Gibbons, etc. The combatants were nearly alike in weight, both under eleven stone.
It was upon the whole one of the most orderly conducted matches ever witnessed, excepting a slight fracas which occurred between Caleb Baldwin and the keepers of the gate. The latter, not immediately recognizing the veteran of the ring, refused his vehicle admittance, without the usual tip; but Caleb, finding argufying the topic would not do—instead of paying them in sterling coin, dealt out another sort of currency, which, although without the Mint impress, had such an effect upon the Johnny Raws that the gate flew open and Caleb rode through in triumph. At a little after one, Holt appeared in the ring and threw up his hat; Randall immediately followed. Paddington Jones and Whale seconded the latter, and Painter and Clark for Holt.
The usual ceremony of shaking hands having been performed, every eye was on the stretch, looking out for the first advantage. Seven to four generally on Randall, but two to one in many instances.
THE FIGHT.
Round 1.—The combatants had scarcely placed themselves in attitude, when Randall’s left hand, with much severity, caught Holt on his mouth. He repeated it as quick as lightning, and was endeavouring to plant a third, but Holt stopped him. Randall again put in another desperate facer; a few blows were exchanged, when Randall went in with his usual sort of hook to fib, but Holt caught hold of his arm, and a sharp struggle took place for the throw. Randall showed the most strength, and Holt was undermost. (Three to one upon Randall.)
2.—On coming to the scratch in this very early stage of the fight Holt’s mug showed the painter had been busy. Randall’s left hand again successfully nobbed his adversary. Considerable science was now displayed on both sides; Holt stopped many blows in good style, and also planted a sharp blow on Randall’s cheek. Several hits were exchanged, but materially to the advantage of Randall, who, in finishing this round of three minutes, caught hold of Holt’s ribs in rather a singular manner, and threw him. (Three and four to one loudly offered upon Randall.)
3.—Randall, with the utmost coolness, again beat the tattoo upon Holt’s nob. It was altogether a long round; but the science exhibited by Holt was that of stopping instead of giving, and the spectators were astonished at the little execution he performed. Randall put in upwards of six facers, damaging the peepers of his opponent, and clareting his face all over, and sent him down from a tremendous hit on the side of his head. (Five to one.)
4.—Holt came to the scratch undismayed, but he had no sooner set-to than the left hand of Randall dealt out tremendous punishment. It was never out of his opponent’s face. Holt, it was now evident, had been deceived respecting the quality of his adversary; yet he contended in the most manly style, and planted so desperate a hit under the left ear of Randall that the latter bled prodigiously. The science of Randall was pre-eminent; he put in six facers almost successively; and when Holt at length stopped him on this boring suit, he used his right hand with nearly equal success till Holt went down.
5.—Randall was compelled to fight extremely different from the mode he had adopted with West Country Dick. Holt was not to be fibbed, and Randall convinced the admirers of scientific pugilism that he was a most effective out-fighter. His hits were tremendous, and Holt’s face was completely vermilioned. In this round, notwithstanding the damaged peepers of Holt, he put in so sharp a blow on the bridge of Randall’s nose that it pinked his index in an instant. The quickest eye could scarcely keep pace with the execution performed by Randall’s left hand in this round, and he repeatedly hit Holt from him till he went down. (All betters, and no offers accepted.)
6.—Randall appeared to suffer much inconvenience from the violent bleeding of his ear; his mouth was so overcharged that he could scarcely get rid of it. Had not Holt possessed excellent science, he must have been smashed in the very outset of the battle. He stopped a great number of blows; but it may be truly said that he only stood up as a mark to be hit at. It was curious to observe that, whenever the left hand of Randall was denied, he used his right with great facility, and put in some terrible ribbers. Randall closed this round by a terrible blow in the middle piece, that sent his adversary down in a twinkling. (Ten to one was offered upon Randall.)