[120]. This proved to be the afterwards renowned Jack Randall.
[121]. Ben Stanyard, who is stated to have been the victor in seventeen battles in the midland and western counties, does not figure in the chronologies; this draw and his defeat by Bill Warr (see Warr), October 26, 1792, are all that appear to his name.
[122]. Noah James, a discharged trooper, appears to have been a bruiser of Gamble’s own stamp. He is stated in “Fistiana” to have beaten Smith at Navestock, December 31, 1788, and Solly Sodicky, the Jew (a cross), at Hornchurch, Essex, February 13, 1793; but these battles were fought by one James, a waterman. See “Pancratia,” pp. 82 and 111. There was also a Joe James, beaten by Faulkner, the cricketer. (See Faulkner, ante.)
[123]. In “Fistiana,” under O’Donnell, Harry Holt is stated to have defeated him in 1817. It was another boxer of the same name, said to be a relative of the subject of our sketch.
[124]. The account in “Boxiana” deserves transferring, as a model of accuracy and diction:—
“O’Donnell, the celebrated Irish hero, fought Tom Belcher for a subscription purse of 20 guineas, at Shepperton Common, Surrey. Considerable science was displayed by Belcher upon this occasion; and O’Donnell showed himself also entitled to respectable attention; but who was completely satisfied in fifteen rounds, when Belcher was proclaimed the conqueror.”
[125]. The paragraph runs thus in the papers of the day:—“July 13 (1801). A boxing match was fought on Wimbledon Common, between Elias, a Jew, and Tom Jones. For the first twenty minutes Tom evidently had the advantage, and during this time great sport had been afforded by the excellent science displayed on both sides. Elias, however, put in a hit so forcibly behind Tom’s ear, that he immediately fell and gave up the contest.” And see “Pancratia,” p. 144., where the paragraph is reprinted. The Elias was, doubtless, Dutch Sam.
[126]. Bittoon’s name is spelt with a P (Pittoon) in the contemporary reports.
[127]. See Tom Tough (Blake), in this Appendix.
[128]. The battle would have been over, and Bittoon the victor, with a modern referee.—Ed.