Round 1.—On stripping, both men appeared in excellent condition, and each asserted he was never better, if so well, in his life. Oliver looked rather pale, and Spring had a small flush on his cheeks. Oliver made an offer to hit, when Spring got away. Oliver made a hit, which Spring stopped neatly. Spring endeavoured to put in a blow, which Oliver parried. A pause, and great caution on both sides. They smiled at each other’s attempts, as much as to say, “I am prepared.” Some little time occurred in sparring, when the long reach of Spring enabled him to make a hit. Oliver returned, when some exchange of blows at the corner of the ropes produced a struggle, and they both went down in a sort of scramble, Oliver on his back, and Spring nearly by his side. (“Bravo!” from the Westminster boys; “Oliver must win it.” Indeed, Oliver appeared to have the good wishes of the old fanciers.)
2.—Spring missed a hit. A pause. Spring got away from a heavy blow; in fact, the latter showed excellent science, and Oliver found his opponent a most difficult man to get at. In a close, Oliver was completely hit down, from a severe blow on the side of his head. (Loud shouting for Spring, and “That’s the way to win.”)
3.—The mouth of Oliver was cut. Spring got away with great dexterity; indeed, it was thought by the real judges of pugilism, at this early stage of the battle, that it was likely to be a long fight, but that Spring would win it. Oliver again down.
4.—In closing, a struggle took place, and Spring was undermost. (Loud shouting from Oliver’s backers, and the Westminster lads in an uproar.)
5.—Spring got away from every blow in the first part of the round. Oliver planted a left-handed body hit. In a severe struggle for the throw at the ropes, Oliver caught hold of the rope, but Spring got him down heavily, and they rolled over each other.
6.—This round the fight had nearly been at an end. Spring not only took the lead in first-rate style, but put in two heavy body blows, and fell heavily upon Oliver. His head lolled upon his shoulder, and when time was called, he could scarcely hear the vociferation of his seconds, “Tom, Tom! be awake, my boy!” the spectators crying out, “It’s all up.” Indeed it appeared so, and many of the anxious betters, who had their money upon Spring, and not wishing to give half a chance away, thought it a very long half-minute before “time” was called.
7.—The sudden start of Oliver, on recovering his recollection, the animated expression of his eyes, and putting himself in an attitude to meet his opponent, was one of the finest specimens of true courage ever witnessed; he, however, was soon sent down. (“He’s a brave creature;” “he’s an extraordinary man;” “he’s the gamest creature in the world;” were the general expressions all over the ring.)
8.—Oliver very queer. Spring punished him about the head till he was again undermost, and received another fall. (“It’s all over now—Oliver cannot recover these falls,” was the general opinion; and two to one, or, in fact, any odds.)
9.—Oliver floored from a severe nobber. Great shouting for Spring. The game displayed by Oliver astonished all the ring.
10.—Oliver again thrown, and Spring fell heavily on him.