31.—The superiority of Turner astonished all present. He made a successful hit with his right hand on the face of Scroggins, and instantly made another good one upon his ribs. The little hero turned round in a state of confusion, and was sent down. (Great applause. Five to three offered that Scroggins did not fight three more rounds.)
32.—Scroggins had been literally stupid for the last half hour, from the heavy blows he had received on his head, and in not being able to stop the upper-cuts of Turner. At out fighting in this round he was much punished, and severely fibbed, till Turner dropped him. (“Well done, Turner.”)
33 and last.—It was all up with the sailor, who had made so much noise in the fighting circles for the last three years. He had been pronounced to be almost invincible, and he had flattered himself into the belief. In the last ten rounds, in point of fighting, he had no chance whatever; nevertheless he fought with much bravery. Scroggins endeavoured to do something in this round, put in some hits, but turned away from his opponent from the severity of punishment, and fell. On being placed upon his second’s knee, he gave in. Upon Harry Harmer hoisting the handkerchief as a token of defeat, it is impossible to describe the appearance of the ring. They seemed lost in reverie, till giving vent to their surprise, they exclaimed, “What, Scroggins given in? Impossible!” The battle lasted one hour and twelve minutes. Scroggins was carried out of the ring, and put into a post-chaise, Turner having won almost without a scratch.
Remarks.—The “Napoleon of the ring” has at length been defeated, but not disgraced; and, like other mighty fighting heroes, has been taught what it is to drink of the bitter cup of disappointment. He is now blamed for his confidence and temerity by those very admirers who supported him; but it may be asked, what is a hero without feeling confident of victory? Scroggins entered the ring under these feelings, and endeavoured to come out a conqueror. He did all that a man could do; and the hero, who defeated in succession, Boots, Dolly Smith, Nosworthy, Eales, Whittaker, Church, and Fisher, ought not to be forgotten in an honourable defeat with a superior man. Scroggins was never considered a boxer in a scientific point of view, and this day he completely proved the truth of the assertion. The judgment and science were completely on the side of Turner; he never struggled to lose his strength in throwing, but went down with scarcely any resistance. He never hit first, but only when the opportunity was undeniable. His guard was so firm that Scroggins could never get at him without being exposed to great danger. His coolness was equally admirable; and, in opposition to Scroggins, he made the ferocity of the latter subservient to his skill. The desperation of Scroggins, which had so terrified his opponents hitherto, was reduced to confusion; and the ease with which he was conquered, astonished the most knowing amateurs, and many of them paid dearly for their confidence. At best, he was only a resolute smashing fighter, and none of his opponents, except Turner, could get away from his severe punishment. He lost by out-fighting with Turner, and was worse off from going in. In the fight at Hayes, Turner has since acknowledged, he received so violent a blow from Scroggins that he could not for a month afterwards open his mouth without considerable pain.
Turner was so fresh that he was able to have fought another battle, and walked round the ring during the next fight. He drove himself to London, and appeared so little hurt from his conflict that he returned with all the gaiety of a spectator. The house kept by Scroggins, in Westminster, was surrounded by hundreds of people waiting for the intelligence; and so much confidence were the crowd inspired with in behalf of the naval hero, that his defeat was not believed till he arrived at home about one in the morning.
The backers of Turner met on the Friday evening following at Belcher’s, the Castle Tavern, Holborn, and presented him with the whole of the stakes, amounting to £120, as a reward for his courage. Turner also paid his fallen opponent a friendly visit the preceding evening, when Scroggins said he wished to retrieve his lost laurels in a new contest for £100 a side. Turner, who had no wish to fight again, but merely as a matter of accommodation, said he could not meet him for less than £200 a side. Scroggins attributed his defeat to a chance blow in the throat, accompanied with getting one of his feet into a small hole in the ground, which threw him off his balance; and it was at that precise instant, he said, that he received the above hit, which deprived him of his wind throughout the conflict.
A short time after the above conquest Turner made a visit to New Town, where he had recently been in training, and which is the birth-place of his parents and relatives. He was hailed with all the respect due to a hero in a more important cause. The companions of his youth, and the admirers of pugilism among the Ancient Britons, caused a congratulatory peal to be rung upon the bells in honour of his victory. A feast was held at the first inn in the place, and two roasted fat sheep, with gilded horns, were served up with the et ceteras, including plenty of game. The evening was conducted with the utmost conviviality, and the Welsh bards mustered upon this occasion composed and sung extemporaneous verses in praise of the brave and of the exploits of their countryman.
Upon the return of Turner to London the stakes were made good, for 300 guineas, and Scroggins, it seems, so much fancied this third trial of skill, that, in order to train correctly, he relinquished his character as a publican, and disposed of his house. But the opinion of the sporting world had changed, and seven to four was the current betting upon Turner. The charm of the invincibility of Scroggins was broken, and the great interest this little hero once sustained in the milling circles was materially injured by his defeat.
From some apparently careless conduct of Scroggins after the stakes were made good, much doubt prevailed through the fancy respecting the battle, and a strong opinion was maintained “that no fight would take place.” Even three to one was betted on this particular point. This circumstance operated as a great drawback upon the interest of the contest, and until the evening preceding the battle very few sums were risked upon the event. Both the combatants, however, had publicly declared it should not be their fault if any disappointment occurred, as they were very anxious to come to a decision upon the subject. Notwithstanding this mystery, Scroggins had not lost his interest with the sporting world, and early on the morning appointed for the battle the roads leading to the scene of action gave proof of it. The ring was made at an early hour, at Shepperton; and, whether owing to accident or intention, upon the arrival of numerous spectators at the above spot, it was given out “the fight will take place at Moulsey.” Thither the motley cavalcade repaired, and the confusion that now occurred beggars description. The flight from Shepperton through Walton was like the retreat of an army. Those, too, who were galloping from Hampton to Shepperton turned suddenly round upon hearing the news; the road in consequence was blocked, the scent for a time lost, and all doubt and glorious confusion. A strong group was at length seen forming across the water at Moulsey, and the boats were actively employed in conveying over the anxious spectators to be in time. It was now booked by many that no fight would take place; and, if it did, that hundreds would not be able to see it. The hoax, however, was dispelled, and “Shepperton” was again the signal. The keeper of the Walton Bridge toll, anxious to come in for a slice of the profits, put up a board at the end of a lane, “This is the road to the fight,” and from this stratagem came in for a tolerable good share of copper; it was, however, considerably out of the way. At length all was right, the ring was formed, and the spectators took their stations. But another dilemma arose—the principal actor had not arrived, and the audience waited in the most anxious suspense. Turner had been in the ring, and thrown up his hat without being answered. Two to one was offered it was no fight. To prevent total disappointment, the after piece was about to be performed first, and two youths appeared stripped. But the cry of “Scroggins, Scroggins,” was now heard; the lads instantly made their exit, and the little hero was greeted with welcome. Upon being asked by a friend if he meant to fight, he answered, “Yes, and win it.” The combatants soon prepared for action, and seven to four was laid against Scroggins, although he appeared in the best condition. Tom Owen and Painter were for Turner, and Paddington Jones and Spring waited upon Scroggins. The colours of the combatants were tied to the stakes of the ring, and at two o’clock the men set-to. The articles stipulated to meet between twelve and one, but Turner said he did not wish to avail himself of this advantage.
THE FIGHT.