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Bruce Herald, Volume II, Issue 51, 30 March 1865, Page 8

On Tuesday evening, January 10, there was a tremendous attendance at Bos Tyler's, Founders' Arms, Whitechapel. to witness the handing over of the stakes and the Champion's Belt to Joe Wormald, the new star of the East. The house was crammed in every available corner, but the company with the exception of a few pugs ' from fashionable quarters, included none but local celebrities. The large room in which the ceremony was to take place was early crowded, so that on the arrival of Andrew Marsden and his backer there was barely room for him to squeeze into anything like a prominent position. EJoe Wormald's mug presented few if any indications ot Andrew's hitting powers, and no one would for a moment havesuspected him of having so recently perpetrated a fight for the "Championship. As a winner too, he was in the highest spirits, and apneared all buoyancy and good temper. He shook hands good humouredly with Marsden, and the latter responded most warmly, showing there was no ill-feeling between them. Andrew had nearly got over his severe mauling ; his eyes were slightly discoloured, and there was a slight increase in the size of his nasal promontory, bi;tno evidence whatever of that fracture of the bridge of that feature which has been so freely talked about in would-be knowing cirl'es. The chief injury of which he complained was that to his right arm, which is still almost useless. Soon after 10 o'clock, on its being announced that business was about to begin, there was a great rush of would-be spectators, and for some time our deputy was unable to obtain a hearing while he discharged the duty entrusted to him. At length the wished for lull came, and his task commenced. After alluding to the several encounters that have taken place of late years for the possession of the trophy, he came to the match between Wormald and Marsden, in which he said, it was pleasing to know that at length two bigmen had contended, and proved that size was no excuse fbr slowness or clumsiness. Having then praised the excellent order maintained at the late fight, which would go far to arrest the downward tendency of the Ring, and expressed a hope that such regularity was au example which would be. followed on all future occasions, he,, amidst deafening cheers, girded Wormald with the belt, and paid a high compliment to. that hero's excellent conduct, his ready defence, and his obedience to the advice of his accomplished seconds, and trusted he would follow in the footsteps of the celebrated Tom Say ers. In conclusion, he said there could be no doubt, that the best man won, but no one could

] have struggled against difficulties more gamely than Marsden, and no one more deserved sympathy and respect not only from his f riends,. but from the public,, for the efforts he had made. He then made an earnest appeal for the losing man — an appeal we should have been, glad to have seen better responded to. Joe Worm ald modestly acknowledged his inability to make a speech, bu«- said he was proud 'to hold the belt, and should do his best whenever he- started to keep it.. Joe headed a subscription for Marsden with £5, which was somewhat increased after a turn round the room. Marsden in returning thanks was very brief; he acknowledged the kindness of the company, and said' he hoped Wormald would keep the belt, and then took his seat. There was much talk of the probabilities of a speedy job for Joe, but it ended in talk, nothing whatever turning up on the subject which could be definitely relied on. Be things as they may, however, Wormald seems all anxious to be up and doing, and wc doubt not he will be allowed but little rest before some venturesome knight comes forward to disturb the even tenor of his way.—' Bell's Life.'