47 to 50.—They both got weak, and Martin went down from some hits, each frequently gave a “hem” for wind. Scroggins received a dreadful floorer on the nob that appeared to make him so groggy that he did not know where he was, and the cry was, “It is all up.” Oliver took off his hat—the spectators run from the outer ring towards the ropes; some confusion ensued, and the horsewhips went to work to clear the ground; the time-keeper found himself pressed upon by the crowd, and for safety got into the roped ring; order was at length restored; but it is thought a minute and a half elapsed before “Time” could be or was called. Great murmurings occurred from the friends of Martin. Belcher here showed his excellent qualities as a second.
51.—Scroggy recovered, to the astonishment of the ring; the 51st, 52nd, 53rd, and 54th rounds were downright milling, and Scroggins was as good as his opponent.
55.—Scroggins floored Martin, and took the bottle to drink himself.
56 to 66.—To describe these rounds would be impossible; both men fought in the most distressed state, yet more execution was done in them than in the whole fight put together. The men continued fighting till they absolutely rolled against each other; in fact, till the hitting had left them both, and it was thought once Martin had lost it, it being difficult to get him off the ground, but he revived a little and sent Scroggy down, when he could not come again. It was anybody’s battle at last—the toss up of a halfpenny. As a proof of the nicety of the thing, in the 63rd round Martin was hit down. 64th, Scroggins down. 65th, both down. Two hours and two minutes had elapsed, Scroggy in a state of stupor, and Martin little better. The latter, however, walked to a post-chaise, and received loud cheers from the spectators.
Remarks.—In point of fame, Scroggins did not lose one inch of ground, although the decision of the fight was against him. He was, however, more punished than in any other of his battles; he also showed more science, and evinced game of the first quality. Martin is nothing else but a good and a game man; but in taking two hours to beat a stale one, and that too merely from chance (excepting the 50th round, when the ring was broken, which, in point of truth, was in his favour), operates as a considerable drawback towards establishing a character as a first-rate finishing fighter. It was the constitution of Martin that won it. With a man of fine science it becomes a question as to what place on the list he might claim. The amateurs expected much more from him. Martin also was severely punished.
Scroggins showed in town on the Friday following, but not in an exact state to sit for his likeness, when the little hero observed, “that Martin was the best man he had ever been opposed to.” Martin was very ill, and did not arrive in town for several days.
The success of Martin now prompted him to obtain a higher situation among the milling heroes; he therefore entered the lists with Randall. (See Randall, ante, p. 346.) In this contest his enterprising spirit received a check, and he was doomed to experience defeat.
Martin, it seems, was not dismayed at the above reverse of fortune, but endeavoured to recover his lost laurel with the game and scientific Turner. (See Turner, ante, p. 387.) In this battle Martin also experienced defeat. To use his own words upon this occasion, Martin observed, “he should not have been satisfied in his own mind if he had not fought with Randall and Turner.” He also, with great candour, stated “that these heroes were too good fighters for him, and he therefore acknowledged, with the utmost sincerity, they were his superiors.”
Martin, in addition to his milling capabilities, was also a good pedestrian. Previous to his battle with Scroggins, he offered to make the best of his way to Brighton, a distance of fifty miles, in eight hours, for a wager of fifty guineas.
The Master of the Rolls, always ready to fight, accepted a challenge from Joshua Hudson for fifty guineas a-side. This affair took place on Tuesday, December 14, 1819, at Colnbrook, in Buckinghamshire, eighteen miles from Hyde Park Corner. Hounslow Heath originally was the appointed place, but the beadle of the parish gave the hint it would be stopped, and “a beak” shortly afterwards confirmed the injunction. The motley group then pushed forwards to Colnbrook, where a field was soon procured, and at three o’clock Martin, followed by Spring and Randall, threw up his hat. Hudson shortly afterwards appeared, accompanied by Tom Belcher and Clarke. The parties soon shook hands and set to. Six to four on Hudson.