PRIZE-FIGHTING.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 235, 4 October 1937, Page 10

PRIZE-FIGHTING.

WOMEN BEGAN IT. SCRATCHING RULED OUT. SOME EARX.T CHAIXENGES. Men are commonly supposed to have originated prize-fighting, but history shows the contrary to be the fact. Here are the first announcements in England:— Challenge.—l, Elizabeth Wilkinson, of Clerkenwell, having had some words with Hannah Pyfield, and requiring satisfaction, do write her to meet me upon the stage and box me for three guineas, each woman holding half a crown in each hand, and the first woman that drops the money to lose, the battle."

The object of holding the half-crown in each hand was, of course, to prevent scratching. Answer.—l, Hannah Pyfield, of Newgate Market, hearing of the resolution of Elizabeth Wilkinson, will not fail, God willing, to give her more blows than words, desiring home blows, and from her no favour; she may expect a good thumping." "At Mr. Stokes' amphitheatre in Islington Road this present Monday, being the 7th of October, will be a complete boxing match by the following championesses: Whereas I, Ann Field, of Stoke Newington, ass-driver, well known for my abilities in boxing in my own defence whenever it happened in my way, having been affronted by Mrs. Stokes, styled the European championess, do fairly invite her to trial of her beat skill in boxing for £10, fair rise and fall, and question not to give her such proofs of my judgment, that shall oblige her to acknowledge me championess of the stage, to the entire satisfaction of all my friends."

T, Elzabeth Stokes, of the City of London, have not fought in this way since I fought the famous boxing woman of Billingsgate twenty-nine minutes, and gained a complete victory (which is six years ago); but as the famous Stoke Newington ass-driving woman dares me to fight her for £10, I do assure her I will not fail meeting her for the said sum, and doubt not that the blows which I will present her with will be more difficult for her to digest than any she "ever gave the asses."