On February 9, 1808, he was defeated by Dogherty on Highgate Common.
On the coast, near Margate, August 9, 1809, he entered the ring with Cropley, and was conquered in sixteen minutes. George did not let his opponent win without punishing him a good deal. It was considered an unequal match.
At a meeting of amateurs, May 1, 1810, at Bob’s Chop-House, after a sporting dinner, he again fought Dogherty, when Tom Cribb also seconded his brother. In this contest George proved himself a game man, and at times overcame the superior science of his adversary; but, at the end of an hour, Dogherty was the conqueror, and had the £20 purse. It was a severe battle.
George fought with Isle of Wight Hall, on November 15, 1810, on Old Oak Common, near Uxbridge, when the odds were six to four in his favour at setting-to; but, after a contest of one hour and nine minutes, he was reluctantly compelled to give in. He fought like a hero, and, although defeated, reflected credit on the name of Cribb.
After his brother Tom had beaten Molineaux, on September 21, 1811, at Thistleton Gap, he entered the ring, for a subscription purse of £20, with Ned Maltby, a Nottinghamshire lad. It was a determined battle for the time it lasted, thirteen rounds; but George was again not only conquered but severely punished. Maltby was not much the worse.
George, like his brother, was a slow fighter, but sparred tolerably well. In height, five feet eight inches and a half, and nearly eleven stone in weight.
SILVERTHORNE.
From his contests with Tom Belcher, Dogherty, and Burn, we are induced to mention Silverthorne. It appears that this boxer, who came out under the patronage of Caleb Baldwin, was a native of the county of Somerset, but not a Bristolian. From his style of setting-to, Caleb, no mean judge of such matters, formed a high opinion of his capabilities, and procured him patronage for a battle for 100 guineas, with Dan Dogherty, then in high repute. The battle came off at Coombe Warren, near Kingston, June 11, 1811, Caleb Baldwin seconding his protegé, assisted by Bill Gibbons. Dogherty was waited upon by Dick Hall and Power. We copy the report from “Pancratia,” pp. 353–355. There is none in “Boxiana.”
THE FIGHT.
Round 1.—At half past twelve the men stood up. Silverthorne stood five feet eight inches, and weighed eleven stone two pounds; Dogherty, eleven stone eight pounds, five feet nine inches, so that there was not a great disparity. Both sparred with great caution. Dogherty tried a right-handed hit, but was short. Silverthorne returned sharply with the left. They rallied courageously, and exchanged hit for hit, until Dogherty went down on the saving suit. (Six to four on Silverthorne.)