THE
PHILADELPHIA ENQUIRER
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24, 1863
JOHN C. HEENAN vs TOM KING
FIGHT IN ENGLAND
King Vanquishes Heenan
TWENTY-FIVE ROUNDS FOUGHT
The Fight Over in Thirty-Five Minutes
PORTLAND, Dec.23.-The Jura
arrived this morning Round 1.- Both trying to measure their
distance. Round 2.- King made fighting as soon as
he came to Round 3.- After some hard exchanges,
Heenan again Round 4.- King came up with a "mouse"
rather visible Round 5.- Both men came up smiling at
one another, Round 6.- The sledging business
commenced at this Round 7.- Give and take now became the
order of the Round 8.- On time being called, both
were up, recover- Round 9.- Both sharp to time. King let
out his right, Round 10.- Express speed had now begun
in earnest, Round 11.- Heenan began to show the pace
was telling Round 12.- Not more than a minute; heavy
exchanges Round 13.- Some heavy countering about
the head Round 14.- Heenan met King at the very
onset with Round 15.- It was now plainly seen that
the rate was Round 16.- A tolerably good account of
work was done, Round 17.- Heenan's fast fighting and
throwing began Round 18.- King soon led off, and
visited the damaged Round 21.- By the advice of his seconds
King led Round 22.- Again did King get well home
on the nasal Round 23.- Heenan came up quite groggy,
and his Round 24.- No sooner were they at the
scratch again Round 25, and last.- Sayers roused
Heenan with cold On the arrival of Heenan in London, he
received the THE NEW YORK TIMES SPRINGFIELD REPLUBLICAN THE CHARLESTON MERCURY
with Liverpool dates to the 10th inst.
The Jura spoke the City of Limerick on the 19th inst.,
bound east; the Damascus, also bound east, on the 21st,
and a steamer on the 22d, off Cape Sable, bound west.
The North American, from Portland, arrived at Liver-
pool on the 9th.
The steamer City Of London arrived out at Queenstown
on the 8th inst., and the North American at Londonderry
on the same date.
She brings an account of the great fight between Hee-
nan and King, which took place on the morning of the
10th, at Tunbridge. King won in twenty-five rounds, the
fight having lasted thirty-one minutes. The Times says
there was but little science displayed on either side. Hee-
nan's game throughout seemed to be to close and put the
hug on, so as to crush his antagonist at once by dashing
him violently to the ground. King's tactics were differ-
ent and more creditable. It is rumored that Heenan's
shoulder is broken.
Heenan ran in and closed, grasping King by the neck,
and put on the old-fashion hug, continuing to hold his
man in such a way that the Referee entered the ring and
strictly cautioned him not to repeat the operation in a
similar manner.
the scratch. There was some attempt at countering by
both of the most homely description; very wild, and very
plain. Heenan rushed on King; got the hug again, and
threw him, like a sack of malt, on the grass. On the men
being lifted, Heenan was found to be bleeding from the
mouth. First blood was claimed and allowed King.
(Cheers)
put on the hug, and threw King on the ropes with an
awful spank. All was going dead against King but
the first blood.
under his left eye. They went to work in a manner that
showed the first indication of slashing. Heenan again
running in for the hug. It was obvious that he meant to
fight nothing but a wrestling fight, fists to be only very
subordinate agents in the business. This called forth loud
expressions of disapprobation.
and after feeling, King let fly a tremendous right-handed
thunderbolt against Heenan's ear that was heard all over
the ring. King followed up his advantage and launched
a fellow-blow on Heenan's temple. Heenan, in despair
hugged again, and threw his antagonist.
round; both men went ding-dong. Heenan finished
by again putting on the hug; what few hits were ex-
changed were not of the slightest moment upon the issue
of the contest.
day. A few seconds, then more hammering, when Hee-
nan was obliged to fly to his favorite embrace. Caught
King and cross-buttocked him fearfully. People actually
held their breath a moment, and felt relieved when the
men were carried to their corners. During this round
King gave Heenan a rattling sledge-hammer on the
nose with his right, and brought the blood down in a
stream. (Cheers and counter cheers)
ing, or backing, or ducking, to get away. Some rapid
countering took place. Heenan went in, when the hug-
ging was brought into action, but this time failing woe-
fully, for King turned the table and floored his antago-
nist.
and struck Heenan, tremendously about the head.
Heenan closed, and threw King again.
King landing out heavily with both fists, and, at a strug-
was thrown.
on him. Coming up, he caught and threw King very
heavily. It sounded like an oxen falling out of a cart.
about the head, and Heenan threw King heavily.
on both sides, when Heenan closed, throwing King as
before.
a fearful punch from the latter's right hand. Some sharp
belting. A heavy fail for King. Not withstanding all
this throwing advantage, Heenan showed nearly as
much distress as King.
telling powerfully on both men. Some swing raps on each
side. Heenan shot out his right hand with such terrific
effect that King reeled like a drunken man, ultimately
falling in his corner. It was thought that he would not
face the storm again. That was the first genuine knock-
down blow.
in which King cut his opponent's right eye, and the
round was finished by a heavy body blow from Heenan
which made King stagger back, and the ground being
slippery he fell down.
to tell its own tale upon himself, and he came up piping,
though smiling. Nobbers were exchanged and some
body blows, and in the end, King was again thrown.
eye, and also got on in on the cheek, which riled the Be-
necia boy, who gave him a stinger on the head, closed
and threw him so heavily that it was thought he was out
of time, and it took his seconds sometime before they
could get him around again. Here the Kingites broke
into the ring, and the remainder of the fight was carried
on amidst much disorder. In the confusion we missed
the two succeeding rounds, but they were very short,
and in favor of Heenan. King soon recovered, and im-
mediately afterwards turned the tide of fortune in his
favor, Heenan rapidly and suddenly getting weak.
off and planted well on the damaged eye and also
on the nose, fetching more blood from both places.
Heenan's returns were short, and King at once closed
with him and threw a regular buster.
organ and right peeper, and receiving it in the ribs, closed
and threw Heenan.
heart seemed to be failing him, for when King once more
planted a straight one on the mouth, he appeared quite
perplexed and helpless. He tried to plant his left but did
not reach. After some sharp in-fighting, he was again
flung heavily to mother earth, and when picked up was
nearly senseless.
than King again visited his mug, and knocked the Boy
clear off his pins.
water, and got him once more in the face of King, but the
latter again planted on the mouth and flung him almost
senseless to the ground. This was a settier, for when
Heenan tried to leave his corner for another round he
was a helpless child, and amidst shouts of shame,
shame, to allow him to come up again, MacDonald gave
in for him.
best of medical attendance, and although his bruises and
contusions were found to be very severe, none of his
bones were broken and he had received no internal in-
jury. His head exhibited a most ghastly appearance.
His old lip wounds had reopened, and his eyes were near-
ly closed.
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 22, 1863
JOHN HEENAN
vs
TOM KING
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24, 1863
JOHN HEENAN vs TOM KING
JANUARY 14, 1864
JOHN HEENAN vs
TOM KING
Historic boxing newspapers and articles.