SPRINGFIELD REPUBLICAN Thursday, December 24, 1863 John Heenan vs Tom King

By Telegraph to The Republican. The Fight between Heenan and King- King Victorious _ By arrival of the steamship Jura at Portland Wednesday morning, we have foreign advices up to the 11th. _ The fight between Heenan and King had been the all-engrossing topic in England. The papers give elaborate accounts, and King's victory was naturally received with great exultation. There was no interruption and the fight was fairly fought. _ The London Times devotes a leader to the affair, and publishes a special graphic account. It editorially says Heenan was game throughout to the close, and put the hug so as to crush his antagonist by dashing him to the ground. King's tactics were different and more creditable to a professor of pugilism. They consisted simply in striking a series of sledgehammer blows on the most prominent and sensitive parts of Heenan's physiognomy, until the latter collapsed from exhaustion. There appears to have been little science on either side, but it was a fair stand-up fight without a check, and ended in a decisive victory. _ The Times concludes by asserting that prize fighting is more revolting than bull fighting, and ought to be discouraged. Tom Sayers was one of Heenan's seconds. The earlier rounds were favorable to Heenan, but King showed the most endurance. _ In the fight on the 8th, the choice of ground was won by Heenan. _ Round 1 - Heenan closed, grasping King by the neck, continuing the old-fashioned hug until the referee entered the ring and strictly cautioned him not to repeat the operation. _ Round 2 - King made fighting as soon as he came to the scratch. Heenan closed, hugged again, and threw him; first blood allowed King. _ Round 3 - After hard exchanges, Heenan again hugged and threw King on the ropes with awful spunk; all now going against King, but the first blood. _ Round 4 - King came up with visible mouse under his left eye. Heenan again attempting to hug, elicited loud disapprobation. _ Round 5 - Both came up smiling. King got to a tremendous blow on Heenan's ear, and another on the temple, Heenan, in despair, hugged and threw King. _ Round 6 - Hedging finished by Heenan's hug. _ Round 7 - More hammering. Heenan again hugged and cross-buttocked King fearfully. During this time King gave Heenan a rattler on the nose, drawing a stream of blood. _ Round 8 - Rapid countering. Heenan again hugged, but got throw himself. _ Round 9 - King struck Heenan a tremendous blow on the head. Heenan closed and threw him. _ Round 10 - King landed out heavy with both fists, closed and was thrown. _ Round 11 - Heenan began to tire; closed and threw King heavily. _ Round 12, 13, 14 - Same result. _ Round 15 - Some swinging raps on each side; then Heenan knocked King into the corner; first genuine knock down blow. _ Round 16 - Heenan came up with a dreadful eye; severe struggle. _ Round 17 - The excitement became so great that the ring regulations were disregarded. King's Cyclopean blows swelled Heenan's eyes and temples frightfully. From this to the 24th and last round, King went ahead with a perfect gallop, and time being called for the 25th, the sponge was thrown up by Heenan's seconds. He was dreadfully punished, and should never have been permitted to pass the 21st round. King presented no visible marks of punishment, except the mouse on the eye. _ Bell's Life concludes it's account of the fight by saying that a braver contest never was fought._Rumors were current that Heenan was in an alarming condition on account of the punishment he received, but they proved unfounded.

THE NEW YORK TIMES TUESDAY, DECEMBER 22, 1863 JOHN HEENAN vs TOM KING THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24, 1863 JOHN HEENAN vs TOM KING THE CHARLESTON MERCURY JANUARY 14, 1864 JOHN HEENAN vs TOM KING

John Heenan vs Tom King
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