Martin, an active lively boxer, and much fancied by his own people, the Jews, was now pitted against Nosworthy for a purse of 25 guineas, at Moulsey Hurst, on the 29th of March, 1814. High expectations were formed of the pugilistic talents of Martin, but the Baker soon put his skill and manœuvres at defiance. Joe Ward and Paddington Jones seconded Nosworthy, and Little Puss and Jacobs attended upon Martin. It was two to one in favour of the Jew previous to the battle, betting brisk.
THE FIGHT.
Round 1.—On setting-to considerable expectation was formed as to the talents of the Jew, who commenced with much gaiety; but Nosworthy planted a tremendous hit on Martin’s mouth, which not only drew a profusion of claret, but he went down.
2.—The Jew, more cautious than heretofore, sparred for advantage, but ultimately he was again floored. (The two to one had now all vanished, and even betting was the truth of the matter.)
3.—Nosworthy began to serve the Jew in style, and his hits told tremendously. Martin made a good round of it, but fell rather distressed. The dead men now opened their mouths wide, and loudly offered six to four on the Master of the Rolls.
4.—Martin, with much activity, planted a good facer; but Nosworthy again finished the round in high style.
5.—The Israelite’s nob was peppered, and his body also much punished; and Nosworthy, with great severity, hit him right through the ropes. (Seven to four on Nosworthy.)
6.—It would be superfluous to detail the remaining rounds. Nosworthy had it all his own way, notwithstanding Martin resorted to his old method of falling, to tire out his opponent. In thirty-six minutes the Jew was completely defeated, and Nosworthy increased his fame as a boxer.
After some minor affairs, we come to Nosworthy’s great match with the Phenomenon, Dutch Sam. Pierce Egan expends pages of wonderment, conjecture, and exclamation on the fact that a strong, young, resolute man, and a good boxer withal, should have beaten a gin-drinking stale pugilist, who would not even train for the battle. We now come to the report.
Five years had nearly elapsed since Sam had exhibited in the prize-ring. The curiosity to see him once more display his great pugilistic skill drew together an unusual number of spectators. Neither bad roads nor torrents of rain could check the interest excited by this battle. Vehicles of all descriptions for weeks before were put in requisition to reach the destined spot, and pedestrians out of number were not dismayed in tramping through thick and thin for sixteen miles. The vast collection of carriages on the Hurst excited the astonishment of every one, and some hundreds were on the spot who did not even see the battle. Several marquees were erected for accommodation. The sum to be contended for, in a twenty feet ring, was £50 a-side and a purse given by the Pugilistic Club of 25 guineas. At a few minutes before one Nosworthy entered the ring, attended by his seconds, Bill Cropley and Silverthorne, and was loudly cheered for his confidence, in daring to face so acknowledged a boxer as the Jew. Sam soon followed, and received every mark of gratifying attention from the surrounding multitude. Ben Medley and Puss were his attendants. A heavy shower of rain could not delay their thirst for fame.