THE CHAMPIONSHIP.

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

THE CHAMPIONSHIP.

Belts 'Lifei'di December 7 says : — " On the evening of. December 4 there was a strong muster at . tilt i ltichavdson's, ; the v house of King's principal backer to witness the concluding act ie the;well-fought battle between Mace and King, yiz.vthat of presenting the stakes (£400) for which they contended and the champion's belt to Tom King! Conversation among the company .present was almost entirely limited to ! the arguments pro and pou anent the late encountei 1 , the ,'cljance' blow being somewhat warmly insisted (Upon as no '.fluke,' though Mace's party: maintain that to thatcircumstance alone did; ;Tom King ovte his. victory. Mate was not present, but Mr Montagu, his agent,' who was. in attendance, apologised for his absence, and stated whatever might have been the cause of his not reaohing the metropolis so as to be present, he -was assured it was from no ill-feeling or want of respect towards the gallant Tom. When the belt and stakes had been handed over to King, Tom's health was drunk with the usual honours, and being duly invested with his 'Dew'dignjly he w?s hailed by his ad-' miring* Iriends as the < Champion of England. 1 King, howeverj does not intend to defend his right to the belt, and it was distinctly stated that he will not eater the Ring, having a more pressing engagement on hand, which it would be against bis interest and future happiness to negleok.?/ , • ' "After the belt and stakes were given to King, ho announced his intention of giving £6 to Mace,, being a similar amount to that presented, to him when Mace was the victor ; he then made a collection and succeeded in raising £18. ;After expressing his sorrow that Mace was not present, he proposed his health, and the remainder of ■ the evening was devoted to harmony. ';. •''.'.:

Mace- Matched with an Unknown.— On December 19 a gentleman waited upon the usual 'stakeholder and covered Mace's £20 already^down fora fresh fight for the Championship' and £?00 to £500 aside, whichever Mace may please. The intelligence of this fresh " Unknown " has created a sensation in pugilistic circles, and the first impression pmong the talent is,, that " the Unknown," when the name comes to be disclosed, will be found in John C. Heenan, the Benicia Boy. On the other hand, it may be Brettle's Unknown, that was matched with Mace after the first fight between King and Mace, and who was " paid out " in order' riot' ti> interrupt the negotiation of the late match for the Championship.