We have already noticed Martin’s pedestrian capabilities. On Thursday, March 11, 1819, at Brixton Causeway, Martin cleverly defeated a well known runner, “the Chicken Butcher,” in a half mile race for £10, the professional giving Martin a start of twenty-five yards.
Martin now considered that experience and success in the ring would justify him in calling upon Turner for a second trial of skill. Preliminaries were arranged and Tuesday, June 5, 1821, appointed as the day of battle. The rendezvous was Crawley Hurst. The cognoscenti booked this affair as a “gift” of 100 guineas to Turner; and as he had beaten Martin so cleverly in 1819, in one hour and seven minutes, with a bad knee, it was now betted evens that he won the battle within an hour. Turner was first in the ring, attended by Tom Belcher and Randall; Martin soon after him, waited upon by Tom Spring and a Norwich amateur. Colours—light blue for Martin, and dark blue for Turner, were tied to the stakes by their respective seconds, and the men stood up for
THE FIGHT.
Round 1.—The Master of the Rolls commenced practice without delay, but hit short with the right hand, Turner getting away. Martin, not dismayed, followed Turner so quickly, endeavouring to plant some hits, that the latter was nearly falling, but he recovered his balance, when an exchange of blows occurred. Martin appeared so impetuous in his attack, that Turner sung out, “Hollo! hollo! Go it, my lad!” The Master of the Rolls planted a heavy blow on Turner’s throat. A pause. Turner got away from some blows, and, with his left hand put in a severe hit on Martin’s eye, which almost closed it. Martin, with his left hand, gave a heavy body blow; he also put in a facer. Ned now went to work, sharp blows passed between them, and, in closing, the weaving system was resorted to, till both went down.
2.—Turner hit Martin’s guard down. A pause. Ned’s left hand again told on the nob of his opponent, and he got away. In closing at the ropes, some sharp milling took place, when Turner was down, and undermost.
3.—It was evident that Martin meant nothing but fighting, and they alternately followed each other over the ring. In closing, Martin held Turner fast, and punished him till he slipped or went down from a slight blow.
4.—Martin confidently put in another body blow, and also a facer, when Turner was nearly falling, but he recovered his position. This was a good round; both men fought till they were distressed, and the knees of Turner trembled considerably. Martin bored in, and got Turner down.
5, 6, and 7.—These rounds were well contested, and although Turner fought at points he did not do that execution which had been so decidedly witnessed in his former battles. Martin, however, showed the first blood.
8 to 11.—Turner stood well in the opinion of the amateurs. He had proved himself a game man, a dangerous fighter, and one that would not go away for a trifle; but if Turner put in a hit, he got a blow in return for it. Martin fell very heavy on Turner. Randall cried out to Martin he would bet seven to four. “I’ll take it,” answered Martin, and went to work to win it.
12 to 15.—Martin put in several severe blows about the lower ribs of his opponent, and also some facers. In fact, Martin was now getting the best of it; but the friends of Turner were so much attached to him they could not perceive the fact.