Pugilistica: The History of British Boxing, Volume 1 (of 3) / Containing Lives of the Most Celebrated Pugilists; Full Reports of Their Battles from Contemporary Newspapers, With Authentic Portraits, Personal Anecdotes, and Sketches of the Principal Patrons of the Prize Ring, Forming a Complete History of the Ring from Fig and Broughton, 1719-40, to the Last Championship Battle Between King and Heenan, in December 1863

by Henry Downes Miles

2.—Dogherty was touched under the eye, but smiled and put in a blow on Silverthorne’s ribs that left a red mark. The latter returned at the nob, but hit round; another rally, and no best on either side. Silverthorne got Dogherty down.

3.—Both men went to work rather hurriedly, and were soon engaged in a desperate rally. Silverthorne stuck up, and though he threw away many blows by his round method of fighting, bored his opponent to every part of the ring. Dogherty exerted all his skill, and not unsuccessfully, on his adversary’s head, but being at length very weak, fell by a slight hit. (Seven to two on Silverthorne.)

4.—Dogherty bled freely; but he commenced a sharp rally, and put in a good body blow, which somewhat staggered his opponent. In endeavouring to repeat, Silverthorne dexterously struck him on the head and brought him down.

5.—Exactly as in the last round. Dogherty put in a body blow, and Silverthorne returned on the head. A rally, and Dogherty brought down his opponent for the first time by a severe blow on the head.

6.—A rally; Dogherty soon laid low.

7.—Dogherty, very gay, appeared first to his time, and successfully planted a good hit over the head. Silverthorne made play, seemed distressed, hit awkwardly, and received a severe right-handed facer. He still, however, bored in, and commenced another rally. Hits were exchanged for a minute and a half, each appearing totally regardless of blows. Dogherty’s superior science gave him the advantage, and Silverthorne at length fell through weakness.

8.—Silverthorne rallied. Dogherty threw in a good hit over his opponent’s mouth, but was afterwards knocked down.

9.—Both seemed distressed for wind, and sparred for some time. Dogherty put in a more forcible body blow than could have been expected. Silverthorne returned on the head and fell.

10.—Dogherty commenced a rally, and Silverthorne, by a tremendous blow, knocked him down.

11.—It was with difficulty Dogherty could be got off his second’s knee; he, however, went in with courage, and fought until knocked down.