22 and 23.—In both these rounds Gaynor was down, and Neale supposed to be winning in a canter—any odds.
24.—Ned the fresher and stronger man, apparently. Exchanges, when Gaynor rushed in and threw him. (“Not safe yet,” cried the knowing ones.)
25.—Gaynor went to in-fighting, closed, and threw Neale.
26.—Neale went in first, but Gaynor fought for a few seconds on the defensive, then closed, put on the crook, and threw Neale. (“Pro-di-gi-ous!” exclaimed Frosty-faced Fogo, after the manner of Liston’s Dominie Sampson.)
27.—Gaynor, though sorely punished, smiled confidently. Neale tried his left; Gaynor missed his right over Ned’s shoulder. Ned closed for the fall, but Gaynor again got it. (The odds at a stand-still. “Neale has to win it yet.”)
28.—Ned made another effort and won the fall, throwing Gaynor heavily.
29–31.—Neale cautious. Half-arm hitting and scrambling rallies. Both men tired, and little execution done.
32.—A wild round in the corner; Neale fell outside the ropes, and Gaynor inside.
33.—Neale walked firmly to the scratch; Gaynor was led up by his seconds. Neale fought in to a close, and heavy hits were exchanged. Gaynor fell on his knees, but was up in a second. Ned caught hold of the ropes, Gaynor closed, and Neale canted him completely over his head.
34.—Neale forced a rally. Gaynor waited for him and hit up. Neale closed, but seeing he was likely to get the worst of it, slipped down, amid cries of disapprobation, and “Take him away!”