15.—Here the Oilman showed to much advantage. He put in several blows, both down.
16 to 30.—Several trifling changes occurred during these rounds; in one of which Scroggins met with an accident in falling, which might have terminated the battle; but his fortitude as well as policy was so great, that, notwithstanding the excruciating pain he suffered, he did not even communicate the circumstance to his second, but fought on under considerable disadvantage. From the numerous antics and manœuvres he played off, he recovered himself in some degree, and succeeded in damaging his opponent’s remaining eye.
31 to 49 and last.—It is unnecessary to detail the whole of these rounds; suffice it to observe the Oilman contested the whole of them with resolution and true game. He fought till without the power of directing his blows. He resigned the contest with reluctance; urging his not being reduced in bodily strength. In fact, he was humanely persuaded by Mr. Jackson and his friends, to retire, as he had no chance whatever, from his defective vision. In other respects there is no doubt but he might have protracted the battle.
Remarks.-Scroggins had nearly given the chance away on this occasion by overweening self-conceit, and the contempt with which he viewed the pretensions of Whittaker. The victory indeed was more owing to his good fortune than to judgment. He laughed at the idea of training to beat a novice, and never left his home for a single night. In consequence of this neglect, he took an hour and sixteen minutes to beat Whittaker, which, had he been in good condition, it is presumed he might have accomplished in half an hour. Scroggins (almost too late) found out the fault he had committed from neglect of training. It was a fortunate moment for our hero when the Oilman was taken from the ground. The memorable defeat and ruin of Broughton ought always to operate as a useful lesson to all pugilists—more especially to conquerors—respecting their preparatory conduct. Scroggins had nearly fallen a victim to this blind confidence. His fame was tottering on a precipice. Scroggins too was extremely incorrect in his distances, but neither of the combatants fought upon the defensive. Whittaker was evidently the better wrestler, and Scroggy appeared more punished about his nob than in any other battle. Had not Scroggins succeeded in closing the remaining peeper of Whittaker, the termination might have been rather doubtful, as the latter was not seriously disabled in body nor distressed in wind. Though he retired from the ring a defeated man, it is but common justice to state that a gamer pugilist than Whittaker never quitted the field. Thirty pounds was collected on the ground by Mr. Jackson, as a reward for the bravery the loser had displayed. Notwithstanding the latter resigned the contest, he still entertained an opinion that Scroggins was not the best man, and attributed the chance going against him to his being a stranger to the tactics of the prize-ring.
From the rapid conquests he had obtained, Scroggins was at this period the envy of the boxing circles. His house was numerously attended; he was enjoying the fruits of peace and the reward of his victories; smoking his pipe with ease and pleasure, and laid up as it were in ordinary, resting from the fatigues of war. But peace was not the element in which Jack was seen to advantage; therefore, out of numerous challenges offered to him, he accepted one from a countryman of the name of Church, a native of Gloucester, who, it seems, “had heard of battles,” and thirsting to obtain fighting glory, had determined to lead “a dull inglorious life” no longer. He left Gloucester for the avowed purpose of challenging our hero; and Colonel (afterwards the Earl of) Berkeley, his patron, had so high an opinion of his qualifications, that he backed him for 100 guineas.
Church, it appears, had milled all the best men in Gloucestershire, was well known as a staunch man, was taller than his adversary, and possessed a hardy and erect frame. Upon the match being made he went into training near Enfield; during which period he gave proof that he was capable of performing no little in the milling way. Three countrymen called at the house where he resided, and rudely challenged him to fight. Church, shamefully careless about the engagement he was under, with more rashness than judgment, accepted their offer; fortune favoured him, for in a very short time, it was reported, he disposed of the whole three, and public rumour ran that he was likely to turn out a troublesome customer for Scroggins.
On Tuesday, August 20th, 1816, the men met, and Moulsey Hurst was once more the theatre of pugilistic display. Myriads of persons left the metropolis, in all directions, to view the renowned Scroggins, among whom were Lord Yarmouth, Colonel Berkeley, Captain Barclay, etc. Vehicles of all descriptions, from the barouche and four to the scavenger’s mud-cart, were in requisition at an early hour, to reach the destined spot; the blood-horse, in all the pride of high breeding, was galloping by all, and the more humble donkey and the spare nacker trotting and snorting along the road, to be up in time. Pedestrians of all ranks formed a moving scene, and by twelve o’clock many thousand persons crowded the Hurst. Church appeared first, and threw his hat into the ring; Scroggins shortly following his example. The former was seconded by Tom Belcher and Bill Gibbons, the latter by Cribb and Clark. At a quarter past one the men shook hands. Three to one on Scroggins. The battle lasted fifty-eight minutes, and fifty rounds took place, as follow:—
THE FIGHT.
Round 1.—Scroggins, on setting-to, seemed anxious to be at work, but hit short. He, however, soon made up for this deficiency by giving his opponent two desperate facers, which produced the claret in a twinkling. Church seemed electrified by the severity of his hits, exchanged a few blows, turned round in confusion, and was ultimately sent down. (Three to one on Scroggins.)
2.—Church appeared at the scratch bleeding. Scroggins set-to determinedly, and soon showed his opponent the severe punishment he was likely to encounter, by putting in two severe blows, right and left, on his nob. Church again turned round confusedly, but drew the cork of his antagonist. Scroggins evinced his superiority, and finished this round decidedly in his favour, by sending his man down. In this early stage of the fight, the spectators made up their minds to the ultimate event, and four to one was offered.