The John Bull Fighter never let a chance go by him, and the following epistle clearly decides his anxiety at all times to accommodate a customer:—
“To the Editor of the Weekly Dispatch.
“Sir,—
“On perusing the daily papers, I understand that Ward challenged me at the Fives Court on Tuesday last; you will therefore have the kindness, through your sporting journal, to inform him that the John Bull Fighter, whether abroad or at home, is always ready to accommodate any of his friends, to afford a ‘bit of sport.’ If Mr. Ward, or his backers, will call at Mr. Randall’s, the Hole-in-the-Wall, Chancery Lane, on Thursday evening next, Hudson will make a match either for £100 or £200 a-side, as may suit his opponent.
“I remain, sir, yours, etc.,
“JOSH. HUDSON.
“Birmingham, August 28, 1823.”
On the arrival of Hudson in London, the following articles were agreed to:
“Hole-in-the-Wall, Chancery Lane.
“Josh. Hudson agrees to fight James Ward for £100 a-side. To be a fair stand-up fight, in a twenty-four feet ring. Half-minute time. Mr. Jackson to name the place of fighting. The battle to take place on Tuesday, November 11, 1823. The men to be in the ring, and ready to fight, between the hours of twelve and one o’clock. An umpire to be chosen on each side, and a referee to be appointed on the ground. £10 a-side are now deposited in the hands of a person well known in the prize ring; £40 a-side more to be made good at Mr. Shelton’s, Hole-in-the-Wall, Gate Street, Lincoln’s Inn Fields, on Tuesday, October 7, 1823, between the hours of eight and ten o’clock in the evening, or the £10 a-side to be forfeited. The remainder of the stakes, £50 a-side, to be made good a fortnight before fighting, on Tuesday, October 28, 1823, at Mr. Randall’s, Hole-in-the-Wall, Chancery Lane, between the hours of eight and ten o’clock in the evening, or the money deposited to be forfeited.