Remarks.—It was a near thing after all; and Reid, although in defeat, raised himself in the estimation of the Fancy. He fought up-hill against weight and length, and was likewise opposed to a man of science and a game boxer. Reid, it is said, weighed ten stone four pounds, and Gaynor eleven stone six pounds—but Gaynor declared, at the Tennis Court, on the Wednesday following, that he was under eleven stone. A better fight, in every point of view, has not been seen for many years. Gaynor received most punishment; but his conduct throughout the whole of the battle was cool and praiseworthy.
Gaynor was matched for a second battle with Young Gas, for £100 a side, to take place on the 5th of September. The stakes were made good, but owing to a misunderstanding the match went off.
In consequence of Gaynor having proved the conqueror with Reid, he was considered an excellent opponent for Bishop Sharpe, and his friends backed him against Sharpe for £50 a-side. This battle was decided also at No Man’s Land, on Tuesday, December 5th, 1826. Sharpe won the fight, after a very hard battle of one hour and ten minutes, Gaynor showing fight to the last. (See Bishop Sharpe, Chapter XI., post.)
Gaynor’s defeat by the Bold Smuggler did not diminish the number of friends made by his general good conduct and excellent demeanour to his patrons and backers. But despite his readiness for a match, it was more than a year before one could be satisfactorily arranged. His challenge was then accepted by Charles Gybletts, whose reputation as a slashing hitter and well-scienced boxer was established by his defeats of Rasher, Phil Sampson (see post, Chapter XIII.), Robin Rough, and Harry Jones, and who had lately fought a draw with Reuben Martin.
Gybletts was the favourite, at six to four, and the stakes (£100) being made good, the men met on the 18th of May, 1828, at Shere Mere, Bedfordshire, on the borders of Herts. At this fight, Tom Oliver, who had received the true blue ropes and stakes of the Pugilistic Club, by order of Mr. John Jackson, its president, first appeared as Commissary-General of the P.R., and displayed that tact in the formation of an inner square and an outer circle which we so well remember, and so oft commended in long after years. Gaynor, who trained at Shirley’s, at Staines, came over on Monday to the “Blue Boar,” at St. Albans, Gybletts at the same time reaching the “Cross Keys,” Oldaker’s, at Harpenden. Both men were in the highest spirits, and in first-rate condition. Gaynor, joined by some Corinthian patrons, came on the ground in a well-appointed four-in-hand, decorated with his colours, a bright orange, and accompanied by a Kent bugle player, to the enlivenment of the road and scene. Gybletts was driven to the ring in a less ostentatious conveyance, a high, red-wheeled, yellow, one-horse “shay,” of the then “commercial” pattern, but was none the less heartily greeted by his admirers.
The day was brilliantly fine, and the attendance of the right sort, who are always orderly. Gybletts, waited on by Dick Curtis and Josh Hudson, first threw his castor into the ring. Gaynor, esquired by Harry Holt and Tom Oliver, quickly answered the challenge, and Oliver won for him the choice of corners. Gaynor’s weight was stated at twelve stone, Gybletts’s at eleven stone seven pounds. The odds were, however, still on Gybletts, and no takers.
THE FIGHT.
Round 1.—On throwing themselves into attitude, each man showed his judgment in keeping the vulnerable points well covered. Gaynor manœuvred with his hands well up, and Gybletts played in and out, seeking an opening for a left-hand delivery. After some cautious movements, Gaynor broke ground, trying his right at Gybletts’s body, but he was cleverly stopped, and Gybletts jumped away nimbly. His left at the nob was also stopped, but in a second trial with the right Gaynor got home on his adversary’s cheek. Gybletts now went in to fight, and caught Gaynor a smack on the mouth with the right, Gaynor striking the centre stake with his heel in retreating. He recovered himself, however, and rushed to a rally, delivering right and left on his opponent’s frontispiece. Gybletts fought with him until they closed, when, after a sharp struggle, Gaynor threw him a heavy back fall, and tumbled on him. On getting up a tinge of blood was visible on the face of each, and the first event was undecided.
2.—Gaynor, first to fight, delivered his right on Gybletts’s body, who got away actively, and propped Gaynor as he came in. Gaynor again tried his right at Gybletts’s ribs, but was stopped. He got on, however, one, two, on Gybletts’s head, cutting his left cheek. In the close Gybletts struggled hard for the fall, but Gaynor, dexterously shifting his leg, got the inner lock, and threw Gybletts head over heels, amidst the cheers of his friends. Odds still six to four on Gybletts.
3.—A good scientific round; hitting, stopping getting away, in pretty stand-up style. Each got it on the body and pimple in turn, but the out-fighting was certainly in favour of Gaynor, who had the reach of his opponent. In the close, Gybletts got the fall, and the cheering of the last round was returned.