The Master of the Rolls having now made progress towards celebrity in the prize ring, was, from the following unexpected circumstance, again brought before the judgment of the amateurs, in opposition to a boxer who, notwithstanding his defeats by Turner, still stood high in the opinion of the fancy in general. At Parish’s benefit, held in a large room at the Coal Exchange, near Billingsgate, the principal feature of the evening was the bout between Martin and Scroggins, which was interesting as a test of the capabilities of the crusty hero. The length and height of the Master of the Rolls over his opponent was evident to all. Scroggins in this combat proved himself a tragi-comic performer of talent; and, under the mask of fun, he not only produced roars of laughter, made his audience frequently look serious, and worked upon his adversary’s feelings, but concluded by exciting their utmost astonishment. In short, if the conqueror of Johnson did not gammon it, and it was a real thing, the fact then is that neither the length nor the science of the Baker could prevent the boring qualities of Scroggins from doing heavy execution (so well known and felt by all his opponents, except Turner), and ultimately sending Martin down. Upon Scroggins quitting the room, with the best of the bout, “another round” was loudly called for by the partizans of the Baker. Scroggins immediately returned, went to work again without delay, and, as the grand climax, hit Martin down with the celerity of a shot, then turning round, said, with much naiveté, “Gentlemen, are you now satisfied?” “Quite, quite,” were the replies; and the little tar left the room overwhelmed with peals of applause.
Several amateurs were so decidedly in favour of Scroggins, that a deposit was immediately put down to make it a match for £100 a side, and a purse of £50 for the winner. But in consequence of the amateurs withdrawing the purse of £50, this match was off, and the friends of Scroggins forfeited their deposit of £5. However, a few days afterwards a new match was made, and the following articles agreed to:—
“Castle Tavern, November 3, 1818.
“T. Belcher on behalf of Scroggins, and B. Burn on the part of Martin, have deposited £20 a side for the above men to fight on Tuesday, the 8th of December, within thirty miles of London, in a twenty-four feet ring, for £100 a side. To be a fair stand-up fight; half minute time. £50 a side to be made good at Belcher’s on Tuesday, November 24; and the whole of the stakes to be completed at B. Burn’s, the Sun, in Windmill Street, Haymarket, on Thursday, December 3. If not, the above deposit to be forfeited. The £200 to be placed in the hands of Mr. Jackson, who will name the place of fighting. The above deposit of £40 to be lodged in the hands of Mr. Franklin. One umpire to be chosen by each party, and the referee by Mr. Jackson.
“(Signed) “T. BELCHER.
“B. BURN.
“Witness, T. Cribb.”
The odds were immediately five to four on Martin, and in some instances higher.
This mill took place at Moulsey Hurst, on Tuesday, the 8th of December, 1818, where the amateurs met more numerously than could be expected, considering this battle was only two days after that of Randall and Turner. The name of Scroggins still made some impression on the fancy; but the odds were six to four and two to one against him. It was four years previous (December 8, 1814), on the same spot of ground that the celebrated Dutch Sam lost his laurels with Nosworthy; and it was also on the same piece of turf that Scroggins conquered Nosworthy, in the short space of eighteen minutes. The little hero seemed as if animated by the recollection of this affair, and looked more than cheerful. Martin appeared in the ring first, and threw up his hat, attended by Oliver and Ben Burn as his seconds; Scroggins, attended by Belcher and Richmond, soon followed. Both men were in good condition, particularly Martin. Randall was present, and frequently encouraged Scroggins by offering to bet upon him. At one o’clock the men shook hands, and the battle commenced. Mr. Gully was the umpire.
THE FIGHT.