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_ The
match between these men was decided, in quick time, on Tuesday last, on
a fine piece of turf, at the back of the Barge House, opposite
Woolwich, the scene of many hard contests on former occasions. Larkins
is not much known in the London Ring, but is a great favorite with the
Cambridge Fancy, by whom he was twice matched against Bill Abbett -
winning the first match, but forfeiting the last, from indisposition.
He is a fine athletic young fellow, possessed of some science, but by
no means a finished proficient in the art. His weight is about twelve
stone. Kelly is a complete novice, and although brought forward by his
countrymen as something supernacular, when put into the scale, he was
"found wanting" in milling attributes, though not deficient in game.
His frame was not so muscular as that of Larkins, nor was he so heavy
by some pounds.
_ A
fight at East-end is sure to draw, and at an early hour the toddlers
were seen on the trot, including "tag rag and bobtail" of every
dimension, from the infant student in the art of "appropriation," to
the gigantic Atlas of Spitalfields Market, who while he bears - not the
world - but a sack of praties on his brawny shoulders, seems to feel a
conscious pride in his own strength, and in the national virtues of the
mealy load under which he moves. The go-cart charioteers were, of
course, on the "look out," and picked up a few of the Aristocracy at
White-chapel Church; and adding to these, half a dozen gigs, and a
couple of hackney drags, the moving panorama was complete.
_ The
Commissary was on the ground with his customary punctuality, and being
associated with the veteran Tom Oliver, every requiate preparation was
accomplished in due time. At ten minutes before one, the men entered
the ring - Larkins attended by Peter Crawley and Josh Roberts, and
Kelly by Mike Curtain and Dan M'Carthy. On slipping their togs, Larkins
had a decided superiority in point of condition - he was fresh and
vigorous, and looked all confidence. Kelly also looked well, but he was
thin and his arms and shoulders lacked that muscle which generally
betokens strength. The betting was 6 to 4 on Alma Mater.
THE FIGHT
_ Round
1. Little time was lost in a display of position; Larkins commenced his
game forthwith, and caught Kelly a home smack on the snuff-box, which
by the bye, was of respectable dimensions. Kelly attempted to return
with his right, but missed. Larkins followed up, right and left,
jobbing in good style; while Pat tried at his body - a close followed -
both peppering away as well as they could, and in the end, both went
down, Larkins under.
_ 2.
Larkins again planted his right and left with great quickness, putting
Pat quite abroad; he was not to be daunted by trifles, however, and he
came in with great gallantry, hitting rather wildly, when Larkins
caught him a terrific hit on the left eye with his right, and dropped
him. (All safe for Larkins, Pat bleeding, and 4 to 1 on Larkins.)
_ 3.
Pat came up a little surprised, but his countrymen exclaimed "it's not
all over yet." Larkins was ready, and again made play with his right;
Pat rushed in to close-fighting, but as he advanced, Larkins had him
right and left. In the close, both fibbed, and Pat was again hit down.
_ 4.
Kelly came up bleeding copiously from nose and eye, when Larkins rushed
at him, hit away, right and left, at his nob, and again dropped him.
("All up," cried the judges, and 10 to 1 on Larkins.)
_ 5.
Larkins now only showed a slight discoloration on the ribs, while Kelly
exhibited severe punishment. Kelly came up rather cautious, and kept
his distance; but Larkins would not stand upon ceremony - he rushed to
mischief, again delivered right and left, and Kelly was once more
grassed.
_ 6.
Larkins lost no time, but was in an instant at work, hitting with great
severity, right and left. Kelly rushed in, caught him round the neck,
and commenced fibbing; but Larkins was not idle, and hit up in fine
style; and getting the throw, fell heavily upon his man.
_ 7.
Odds to any amount might be had on Larkins. Kelly still cautious, but
Larkins would be with him, and a good slashing rally followed, in which
Kelly succeeded in popping in two good hits - one on Larkin's
proboscis, and the other on his throat; still Larkins closed with the
advantage in his favor, returning the compliments with interest, and
flooring his man.
_ 8.
Larkins came up distilling claret from his nose. Kelly went in to fight
with great boldness, but Larkins never flinched, and after some good
exchanges, Kelly closed for the fall, with his head down. Larkins hit
him up with good judgment, seeming to be awake at all points, and
tumbled him.
_ 9.
Kelly hit out of distance, and Larkins was short of his mark. They soon
came to close quarters, and mutual hits were given, when Kelly was
thrown.
_ 10.
A desperate rally, in which Larkins jobbed his man right and left with
great vigor. Kelly made some returns, but there was no visible
impression; and after some excellent close fighting on the part of
Larkins, he threw his man.
_ 11.
Larkins was "at his handy-work again," and popped in his right and left
in a good straight forward manner, and "no mistake." Kelly did not
relish these freedoms with his mug; he rushed in with head down, and
catching Larkins round the waist, bored him down on his back; in the
fall, injuring his own knee.
_ 12.
Kelly modest in his approaches, but Larkins would not be denied; he
rattled to his man, jobbed him without mercy, and hit him down.
_ 13.
Again did Kelly come up to receive with great courage, but he had not a
chance. Larkins hit him a terrific blow with the right on the science,
and he fell with his scull against the post.
_ 14.
Larkins had now brought the game to the last peg. Kelly came up
dreadfully disfigured, but although he rushed in manfully, his opponent
renewed his jobbing system. In the close, Pat tried to fib, but Larkins
was too quick with him, hit him heavily right and left, and then fell
heavily upon him.
_ 15.
It was now seen that Kelly had not a shadow of a chance, and his seconds gave in for him, after fighting 16 minutes.
REMARKS
_ Larkins
left off without a mark, while Kelly was "all mark," exhibiting a
woeful change in feature. He attributed his loss to the injury on his
knee; but the truth is, he was out fought from first to last, and never
had a chance. Larkins, although opposed to a man of no merit beyond
courage, has by the slashing style of his operations, raised himself
considerably in the opinion of the "London Particulars," and will, ere
long, find a customer of consequence. He is a bold natural fighter, and
handles both mawleys well. If not opposed by science, he must succeed
with any man of his weight; but science makes so wide a difference in
the scale of excellence, that we must wait till he has had a turn with
some of our known good ones before we pronounce decidedly upon his
merits. As far as he has gone, he has certainly established his claim
to the possession of two important requisites in a boxer - namely,
heavy straight hitting, and sound bottom. Experience will give him the
rest.
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