18.—Martin went down after a few exchanges. (Great shouting for Sampson; and the expressions were, “We wish he may win it, because he has fought so well.”)
19.—Martin now had got his opponent to his wishes; he began to fight well, and nobbed Sampson all over the ring. The claret was running down his face in profusion. The rain too was coming down in torrents. (Two and three to one, but no takers.) Thirty minutes.
20.—Sampson went down from a severe blow in the wind market. He could hardly be got up.
21.—Sampson was much distressed, and soon went down. (“Take him away, he can’t win it.”)
22.—Sampson again down, but he would not give in.
23.—Sampson was going very fast: he had not a shadow of chance.
24 to 27.—All but gone; and a guinea to a shilling was offered.
28, 29, and last.—Sampson, after being hit down, could not come to the scratch when “Time” was called; and Martin of course was pronounced the victor.
Remarks.—This fight did not add to the reputation of Martin; on the contrary, it tended to reduce him in the estimation of the amateurs as a scientific boxer. He defeated Sampson more from pulling and hauling than from severity of hitting.
Martin, who was on a sparring tour, met with a little job on the second day of the Lewes races, Friday, August 11, 1820, in consequence of a Gipsy having boldly offered to fight any man on the ground. A purse of twenty-five guineas was made up, and so confident was the Gipsy of victory, that he begged the money (£6 or £7), collected for the loser, might be added to the fund for the winner, which was accordingly done. Clarke seconded Martin, and Davis the Gipsy. The battle was in a roped ring, and lasted seventeen minutes. It is unnecessary to give the details of the ten rounds. The Gipsy’s strength was foiled by the Baker’s science, and Martin gained an easy conquest. The Gipsy was severely punished. Martin scarcely received a scratch, and afterwards walked to Brighton. Oliver was time-keeper. The greatest order prevailed, and it was quite a treat to many of the fashionable visitors at Brighton, and to the country joskins.