9.—Sampson went in quickly to do mischief, but Belasco made as usual some excellent stops. The Jew, in making a body blow, hit rather low. “What do you call that?” said Sampson. In closing, Sampson went down.
10.—This round was against Belasco. The Jew stopped delightfully at the commencement, but in counter-hitting Belasco received a terrific blow in the middle of his head, which almost knocked him backwards; but he returned to the attack as game as a pebble, and in closing at the ropes had the best of it while hanging upon them, until Sampson, by a desperate effort, extricated himself, and, strange to say, placed the Jew in his own former situation, fibbing Belasco till he went down, bleeding profusely. (The faces of the Brums, which had hitherto been very grave, now assumed a smile, and “Sampson for ever!” was the cry.)
11.—The face of Belasco exhibited punishment. Sampson had also the lead in this round, but he determined not to give a chance away, and in closing he went down. (Murmuring from the Sheenies.)
12.—Belasco endeavoured to plant a hit, but Sampson got away. In closing, Sampson again went down.
13.—The Jew put in a heavy body blow, but one of Sampson’s hard hits met Belasco in the middle of his head. The battle was now alive, all parties highly interested, and doubts and fears expressed on both sides. The Jew, full of game, tried to get the lead, obtained it, and Sampson went down.
14.—The length and height of Sampson enabled him to stand over his opponent, and this, added to his excellent knowledge of boxing and increased strength, rendered him no easy opponent for Belasco. (The Jew was irritated in this round from the expressions of Sampson, while they were sparring together, who observed, “I have got you now, Belasco, and I’ll not only lick you, but drive your Jew brother out of Birmingham.” “Be quiet,” said Josh; “fight, and don’t talk so.” “You can do neither,” replied Belasco, “but you are an illiberal fellow.” “Keep your temper,” urged Crawley.) Belasco ran in and planted two hits; and, in closing, Sampson went down in the best way he could, and received a hit in consequence, which occasioned cries of “Foul!” and “Fair!”
15.—Belasco displayed superior skill in stopping two blows, but in counter-hitting he received such a tremendous blow near his temple that he fell out of the ropes on his head quite stunned. (“It is all up,” was the cry; and “Ten to one he does not fight again!”) The Sheenies were alarmed, and none but the gamest of the game would ever have come again. Belasco might have left off with honour.
16.—No sailor “three sheets in the wind” appeared more groggy at the scratch when time was called. In fact, Belasco did not know where he was—his eyes had lost their wonted fire, and it really was a pity to see him standing up to a fine, strong young man like Sampson. The latter, very cautious, did not make play, and the Jew had none the worst of the round. Both down, but Sampson undermost. Six to four on Sampson.
17.—Belasco, recovered a little, fought like a brave man till he was hit down.
18.—The Jew seemed better—he exchanged hits, and was again sent down. Two to one on Sampson.