THE FIGHT FOR THE CHAMPIONSHIP.

Wellington Independent, Volume XVII, Issue 1836, 28 February 1863, Page 4

THE FIGHT FOR THE CHAMPIONSHIP.

This long-expected encounter for the champion's belt and £400 took place on November 26 The compilatovs were John Mace, oi Norwich, the champion, and Thomas Kiug of London.. Mace, who was born in 1831, stands 5 feet 8k inches, and weighed about iOst. 121 b. King "is. «i line young fellow, standing G feet 2i- inches, and weighing in condition about 12st 121 b. He was born in 183 G. A great deal of interest was excited in this affair, it being the second time the men have entered a ring to contend for the championship. For some tiice previous to the fight the betting was in favour of Mace, 6 and 7 to 4 being laid, but as the time approached these odds became lessened, and sto 4 was taken to money. The start for the scene of the encounter took place at an early hour on November 26, on the " iron road " to Tjlbury, where the.pugjlists and their friends went on board a steamboat that was waiting their arrival. The charge for tickets was £2, a sum necessary to ensure comfort' and safety to the patrons of this sport, amongst whom the «» upper ten thousand " mustered pretty strongly, notwithstanding the chilly prospect before them. The event took place iv the neighbourhood of Thames Haven, and the combatants entered the ring a. few minutes past ,nine The first rounds fought were noticeable for the extieme caution with which both .men acted. Neither seemed . willing to.rgive the other the slightest advantage, but appeared. anxious not to throw a chance away. These wary tactics, however, were soon changed, and as each man became. e*cited ; the avoidirig of blows was less carefully pfactised, : and closer fighting ensufed. Up to about the sixth or seventh round no great difference between the men's chances could, be detected, by an ; unpractised, eye, but those who had watched similar encounters declared that Mace liad much the best of it. ..This'fopmion seemed to be rapidly gaining ground in the succeeding rounds, till at hist as much as 5 to I was offered on Mace> and no one seemed anxious to taketheseliberal andyas it turned out, unrea-sonable-odds: • : CTp to the eighteenth and nineteenth rounds, all whose opinion was worth listening* to asserted that Mace was winning easily, and that he had the victory iv his hauds. If it was so it was snatched in a most unaccountable manner 1 .from. his; grasp, for in the nineteenth round Mace, received one of the most tremendoti&blows that, said every old and young pugilist present, had ever been seen. It was a swinging ; blow from the light hand, delivered with the apparent weight and force of a sledge-hammer full upon the left cheek, eye, and nose of Mace. The hitherto champion fell at once, huddled up in a heap, and it was clear to all'that King must be the victor. With the greatest difficulty Mace obeyed the call of time,' and when he faced Kjng he was unable to prevent him. administering another blow, which at once knocked hjm down. A second time Mace advanced to the call of his seconds, but only to be pushed down by King, who considerately avoided unnecessary violence. The i fight was ended. The 'Sponge was thrown' up— the ordinary avowal of defeat. King was declared the winner; and is now, therefore;" "Champion of England." The .whole affair with; the exception of the uproar and confusion at Fenchurch-street station, was by no means badly arranged, and so much order and quiet maintained as could reasonably be expected on such an occasion.