85.—Looney was floored cleverly by a spanking hit on the chops.
Nothing particular occurred in the next six rounds; the throws, with the exception of one, being in favour of Bendigo.
92.—Bendigo showed a good feeling in this round. In the struggle Looney got seated on the under rope, but Bendigo would not take advantage, and walked away.
93, 94.—Looney down in both these rounds.
95.—Looney rallied a little, and made two hits tell with the right on the ear, and Bendigo went down rather shook.
96, 97.—Both down together. Bendigo gave a muzzler in the last, got his man on the ropes, but was too weak to hold him.
98.—Looney put in his right on the temple, but was thrown very heavily.
99, and last.—Looney came up as blind as a bat, and rushed in with his right, when Bendigo mustered up all his remaining strength and gave him another fall. Molyneux, finding it useless to prolong the contest, gave the signal of defeat, after fighting two hours and twenty-four minutes.
Remarks.—It will be seen by the above account that Bendigo won all the three events—first blood, first knock down, and the battle. He stands with his right leg foremost, has a good knowledge of wrestling, steps nimbly backwards to avoid, and hits out tremendously with his left. He was trained under the care of Jem Ward and Peter Taylor, who must have spared no pains in tutoring him, being much improved since he fought Young Langan; and no doubt will prove a troublesome customer to any 12-stone man who may meet him. He walked about a quarter of a mile to his carriage. A tint of black only appeared under his left eye, but his bodily punishment must be severe, as he could not bear to be touched on the left side. He arrived in Manchester the same evening per gig, and proceeded to Newton races the following morning. Poor Looney was terribly punished about the face, being cut under and over each eye, and his lips and nose terribly mangled: besides the loss of a grinder or two, he lost a great quantity of blood from nose, mouth, and other gashes in the face. He is possessed of most unflinching game, but is slow in his motions; he strikes very heavy with his right, but it is too long a time in arriving at its destination. All that could be done for him by his seconds, Molyneux and Birchall, was done. The ring was sometimes in great disorder, owing to want of attention on the part of the ring-keepers.
Bendigo, on the occasion of a joint benefit with Peter Taylor at the Queen’s Theatre, Liverpool—which northern city at this period appeared to have become the metropolis of milling, vice London and Bristol superseded—boldly claimed the belt. Looney disputed the claim, complaining that Bendigo had recently refused him another chance, though ready to make a new match for £50. Tom Britton also demurred to the Championship claim, and offered to fight Bendy at 11st. 10lb.; money ready to £100 at Mrs. Ford’s, “Belt Tavern,” Whitechapel, Liverpool.