21.—Burke resorted to science, but his nob was again in chancery, and the punishment it exhibited was terrific. In closing, both down.
22.—It was evident now that Burke was going: he appeared extremely weak, and went down from a slight hit. (“It’s all your own, Jack;” and four to one, but no takers.)
23 and last.—Randall seemed as if he was determined to wind up the contest with a grand climax. The already punished head of Burke again received three additional tremendous hits upon it which gave it the rolypoly; and, in closing, Randall threw his opponent with the utmost ease. When time was called, Burke could not come, on account, it was said, of his having dislocated his shoulder. It was over in three-quarters of an hour.
This contest did not exactly please the friends of Randall. It was thought he had been too careless, or that he entertained too light an opinion of his opponent. He, however made some skilful stops, which were much admired; but it was said he won the fight more from throwing, in the first instance, than from his usual method of hitting. It should be taken into consideration, that Randall had something to do in getting at his opponent, who possessed the superiority of length of arm and height of stature; and, in all probability, he would have fought for several rounds more if his collar-bone had not been dislocated. Randall, as usual, retired from the ring with scarcely a scratch about his face.
The Nonpareil had disposed of all his opponents with so much ease and certainty, that the sporting world appeared extremely anxious that Turner should enter the lists with him; an opinion being entertained that the latter was the only boxer of the light weights that would have any chance of defeating Randall. The superior tactics and other pugilistic qualities displayed by Turner in his victories over Scroggins, had rendered him an object of great attraction among the fancy in general. Randall was also anxious to fight Turner, by way of a finish to his efforts; in fact, the Nonpareil delayed commencing publican on that account alone; and two or three good houses had in consequence slipped through his hands. Randall was confident as to the result. Victory, and nothing else, appeared certain to him. This, however, was by no means the general opinion; but when the following meeting was announced between the above parties, the fancy were all alive:—
“Articles of agreement. October 13, 1818, entered into at Mr. Franklin’s, the Lion and Goat, Lower Grosvenor Street, Grosvenor Square, between John Randall and Edward Turner, to fight for the sum of £100 a-side, on Tuesday, the 1st of December. The above battle to be a fair stand up fight—half minute time, in a twenty-four foot ring. The place to be named by Mr. Jackson; but the distance from London not to be less than twenty-five, nor to exceed thirty miles. Randall, on the one side, to choose his own umpire, as to a time keeper, and Turner also to appoint a time-keeper, on his part; but to prevent any disputes, Mr. Jackson to appoint a third umpire as a referee, whose decision shall be final. The whole of the stakes to be made good on Tuesday, the 10th of November, at Mr. Franklin’s, between the hours of seven and nine in the evening; but if either Randall or Turner wish to increase the sum to £200 a-side, this latter sum to be made good on Tuesday, the 24th of November. Mr. Jackson to hold the stakes, or any person whom he may appoint. A deposit of £20 a-side was placed in the hands of Mr. Franklin; but if the whole of the stakes of £100 a-side are not made good on the 10th of November, the above deposit to be forfeited accordingly.
“(Signed) “BAXTER,
“FRANKLIN.”
“Witness, P. E.”
Randall was generally the favourite; yet Turner was by no means in the back ground, for the Taffies swore, “Cot splutter her nails, hur’s sure to win it.” The cool knowing ones, who put national feelings out of the case, and who only looked to winning the blunt, declared it was a puzzling problem.