After six months’ interval, Scroggins again entered the prize ring. His antagonist on this occasion was the afterwards celebrated Ned Turner. The affair came off in a field near Hayes Turnpike, Middlesex, on Wednesday, March 26, 1817; Scroggins fighting Turner £100 against £50. This contest ended in a draw, the particulars of which will be found in the memoir of Ned Turner, ante, p. 374.
A second match was afterwards made on the 10th of June, 1817, Scroggins fighting Turner £120 against £80.
Upon a review of the merits of the drawn battle above mentioned, some doubts appeared to exist in the minds of the backers of Scroggins respecting the result of the coming fight. The following contest, however, which took place ad interim, not only tended to remove the doubts in question, but operated so strongly towards increasing their former confidence in Scroggins as to raise the odds to three to one that he was the victor.
A meeting was held at Tom Oliver’s house in Peter Street, Westminster, on Friday, May 2, 1817, to complete the stakes for the match between Sutton and Ned Painter. Several pugilists were present upon this occasion, among whom were Scroggins, Carter, West Country Dick, Ballard, Purcell, etc. Scroggy having drank freely during the evening above stairs, descended into the parlour and ridiculed Dick upon his defeat by Randall. He also offered to bet two to one upon himself against Turner, which was immediately accepted by Richmond; and, upon the latter’s taking up the money to deposit in some person’s hands, Scroggins seized hold of the man of colour. Scroggins now gave some ludicrous imitations of Richmond’s mode of milling, calling him everything but a good one, and offered to fight the man of colour in the room for any sum. The latter was much pressed to give Scroggins a thrashing for his improper conduct, but Richmond kept his temper, although called a cur for suffering such a little fellow to insult and triumph over him. Richmond was not to be moved from his resolution, and very properly observed, “That as Scroggins was under an engagement to fight Turner, the sporting world should not experience a disappointment from his disabling the man from fulfilling his agreement.” This conduct on the part of Richmond was admitted to be handsome and manly by all present. Scroggins, however, would not be denied—fight he would with somebody, and to accommodate his penchant, a match was proposed between him and young Fisher for twenty guineas a-side, to be decided instantly, the latter having gallantly beaten the rough and hardy Crockey, before the Grand Duke of Russia, at Coombe Warren. Previously, however, the opinion of Mr. Jackson was taken respecting the propriety of Scroggins fighting, considering his engagement with Turner. Mr. J. thought he ought not. Scroggins overruled this objection, by declaring that nothing should hinder him from having a mill, provided Mr. Farmer would make the match. Shelton, in conjunction with some other persons, then put down the money for Fisher. The large room at the back of the premises was lighted up, the scratch made, bottles, lemons, etc., produced; the spectators retired to each end of the room, and the door was locked. Mr. Jackson acted as umpire. Carter and Clark attended Scroggins; Richmond and a novice waited upon Fisher. Three to two on Scroggins. The parties shook hands—half minute time was allowed, and sixteen minutes before twelve o’clock at night the battle commenced. More spirited betting or greater order never was observed at Moulsey, Shepperton, or Coombe Wood.
THE FIGHT.
Round 1.—On setting-to mischief being meant, little science was displayed between the combatants; Fisher put in a slight body hit. Scroggins reeled in after his usual mode, and both went to work slap bang—some sharp nobbers were exchanged, and, in closing, both down, Scroggy undermost. (“Well done, Fisher!”)
2.—Fisher, full of gaiety, again hit, first on the body, and seemed resolutely determined upon following up his success. They both nobbed each other smartly; and in struggling to obtain the throw, Scroggy, as before, was undermost.
3.—Scroggins, from the effects of lushing, came quite noisy to the scratch, and laughing at Fisher, told him if he could hit no harder than he had done, he must lose it, and he (Scroggins) would soon convince him of that fact. Fisher, not dismayed by this threat, not only fought with his opponent manfully, but threw him completely on his face. (“Go it, Fisher!”)
4.—This was a good round, and Fisher pelted away so sharply, that Scroggy seemed rather sobered by the contact. Ceremony was out of the question, hit for hit was reciprocally given, till Fisher slipped and went down. (Two to one on Scroggy was vociferated by his partisans.)
5.—Fisher came to the scratch in the most lively style, and set-to with as much coolness as if he had been fighting a mere commoner. They soon closed, Fisher undermost.