9.—From the situation in which the men were placed, it was evident that Martin must prove the conqueror. Hudson was too short to commence the attack: he could not plant a hit with any degree of safety; in fact, he was beaten at both points—at in and out fighting. Martin went down from a slip.
10, 11.—In straggling for the throws, also, Martin showed improved qualities.
12.—After considerable difficulty at the ropes, Martin went down; but Hudson was severely fibbed by Martin.
13.—This was altogether a fine round on both sides. The courage of Hudson was of the highest quality; but there was a mastery about the science of Martin that astonished the ring, on reflection, that ever Randall or Turner should have defeated him. Martin hit Hudson terribly in the body, and also nobbed him till he went down.
14.—Hudson’s left eye was nearly closed, and he had been much distressed for wind in several of the preceding rounds, but Martin was a little weak, and went down.
15.—Every round was now closing to the disadvantage of Hudson. The length of Martin enabled him to hit his opponent in all directions, till he went down exhausted.
16.—Hudson now appeared like a drunken man, and came staggering to the scratch, when Martin hit Hudson away from him three times, with severe facers and also punished him down. (“It’s all up,” was the general cry.) Martin slipped down.
17.—It was only the goodness of Hudson that could have induced him to continue the contest. His hits were short; in fact, he could not get at Martin, the guard of the latter was so lengthy and firm. Hudson again received some tremendous nobbers on the right side of his head, till he went down.
18 and last.—Hudson was punished in all directions till he went down. He was lifted up by his seconds, but when time was called he could not answer the sound, and victory was of course declared in favour of Martin, in thirty-nine minutes and ten seconds.
Remarks.—Martin, it seems, was held much too cheap. It was expected by the amateurs in general that he would have been beaten off hand. He has, however, raised himself by his superior fighting in this battle to the top of the tree. He has conquered one of the best little men of the day, with a heart like a lion, and considered also a first-rate boxer. This circumstance alone is saying a great deal for him in the sporting world; but he has also conquered in succession, Josh. Hudson, Cabbage, the Birmingham youth, a big Johnny Raw, at the Lewes Races, and, lastly, Dav. Hudson. Martin has only been defeated by Randall and Turner; and the former has also beaten Oliver’s brother, Paddington Johnson, and the hardy Scroggins. Hudson did not hit Martin heavily, while the blows of the latter operated with the severity of a horse’s kick, and he retired from the ring little the worse for blows. Martin could have beaten another Dav. Hudson in the same ring. The latter was severely punished. Martin weighed eleven stone six pounds on this occasion.