The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1824-01-17 00:00:00

LATE FIGHT FOZ THE CHAMPIONSHIP.

A correspondent Tegnells us to insert the following letter
of Reynolds the friend of Langan, and who seconded him
in the late tight for the Championship:—

,TO THE sronl IN° WORLD.
Orarrsestnw,—l'oneeious of the humble situation I hold in
society, I still feel that even a pugilist has a character to lose.
rneer this impression, I think it a duty I owe to myself and the
sporting part of the world, to state some facts relative to the late
battle, which will make the loam of fair play blush at the conduct
of some in the ring.
We had only one friend on the ground that I personally knew to
officiate as time-keeper for us ; but he was a tradesman, and Cribb
insisted none but sentleman should hold the watch. Thus situ-
ated. we were obligati to submit to have a time-keeper appointed by
Spring's friend. This was not exactly fair; but ido not wish to
Insinuate that the empires did wrong : on the contrary, Spring's
umpire kept his post to the last in the most gallant style; but
Langan's and the referee were obliged to quit the ring. In fact,
inside the twenty-four foot ring is which only the combatants and
the seconds ought to have been, was crowded to excess for the last
hour, pushing, kicking, and striking with whips and sticks, of
which Langan received more than his share. rive minutes was
enough to satisfy any time-keeper in the world, if he kept the com-
batants in sight.
I feel Incompetent to the task of describing Langan's ill-treat-
ment; he was kicked on the back and head seven,' times; and to-
wards the latter part, when the ring was full, whenever Langan
attempted to throw Spring, the rascals that were within the ropes
gave Langan every obstruction in their power, by placing their
knees in such a manner, that instead of Spring being under, he was
[ tutned on the top of Langan. Both Cribb and Painter practised this
trick; and the blow that Langan received on the left eye was
reused* Painter's knee. On one occasion, when both men had
[ fallen, Spring under, Cribb said Langan was biting; and in the
act of stooping to pick up his man, he struck Langan, and I di-
[ reedy struck him. Before the men went to the scratch, Langan, in
justification of liniself, asked Spring if what Cribb had said was
true? Spring, by a shake of the head, answered in the negative.
1 And here let .me state that I wish particularly to be understood,
that I do not charge Spring with any foul play ; I never wish to see
' a more honourable tighter. One time, by the pressure of the crowd,
I was thrown out of the ring, Langan on me, Spring on him ; in
this situation a edwardly ruffian that I should know if I was to see
him twenty years hence, deliberately aimed a kick at Langan's
side. but fortunately fix him it fell on my leg, and severely cut it.
There was scarcely a magiliet down at the fight but at one time or
other paid attention to Spmtg„by little kind offices; bringing water,
fanning the air inids face with their hats, and keeping the whips
and sticks from him. But a poor Irishman that attempted to fan
'Latiflan with hiabat, while Josh was flogging out the ring, was told
by a pugilist if he did not desist he would floor him. The last seven
or eight rounds, 1 had another ,difficulty to encounter, by Hudson
wanting me to give in for Langan, and every round of the last three
or four, he swore bitterly he would not second him another round,
' for fear, as he said, of Langan being killed, and himself lagged. If
this was pure humanity, I very much praise his feelings ; but it
was a feeling he never displayed in any other fight in which
he was second; and I am told that Hudson, although he swore
bitterly to me he had not a farthing on the fight, had bet consi.
derable sums against Langan. One of those bets I can prove,
of 601. to 201. on Spring; the money was put into the hands of Mr.
Martin, of the George Inn, Birmingham, and by him placed in the
hands of the bar-maid of the Rein Deer, Worcester, who paid it
to Hudson after the fight. Previous to this, no man more highly
respected Hudson than 1 did, and shall feel proud if he can ex-
plain, in a satisfactory manner, his conduct in this affair. I was
=indent of victory, for Spring's hands were spoiled past giving
any punishment ; laingan's bands were good, his strength superior,
and he could always throw Spring, when the rascals in the ring
did not interfere : in the last round the men had scarcely room to
put themselves in attitude, and finding every new comer an anta-
gonist, I said publicly, "As the ring was not kept, Langan should
fight no more." Langan heard me say this, while yet on the
ground, and most eatabatly said he would not give in, but would
tight tbr a week, under every disadvantage, sooner than resign. I
must sacuit I now used every argument I could think on to induce
him to heir, for my
.heart bled to see the brave fellow good-hu-
mouredly holding against so many; but all my arguments were
useless, and on Josh saying he would not second him any longer,
" Leave me then," was his reply ; " I will manage with Rey-
nolds." I believe it was told to Cribb that Langan had given in;
he came ..nil asked him the question, but myself and Langan con-
tradicted this, and told him we were ready to fight. Spring's um-
pire then came and asked the question, and received the same an.
ewer. At this time fighting in the ring was impossible; there was
not a clear square foot of ground to stand on, and I repeatedly re-
quested those that ought to have kept the ring, to flog it out ; but
no attempt was made to do any thing of the kind, and shortly after
Spring was taken out of the ring. 1 then threw up my hat for
Arter.the battle, I called on Spring's umpire, as the only per.
son that could give a decision on the subject, and these were ids
words, in the presence of the gentleman that bled Spring, after the
battle :—" I know little of the regulations of the ring, but what I
do know I will state : I was told that Langan's second had given
in; I instantly went to Reynolds and asked him the question;
Reynolds said, Langan would not give in and was ready to tight;
I then looked to the watch, and when the second hand pointed to
the half minute, I called time, but neither of the men got up to go
to the scratch ; 1 again called time at the minute and the minute
and half, but neither of the men got up to go to the mark. This
is all I know on the sillbject ; when M. Jackson h applied to lie
will bo able to tell you the law on the subject, hut if the melt had
Ling would be impossible, as the ring was completely
lineal."u
The gentleman that bled Spring said, that Spring told him if lie
(Mr. Spring) had been fighting in Ireland, and was treuted in the,
same way Langan had been that day, he would have declared that
he had received foul play.
When Shelton and Hn:lson fought, both men were hit nearly
senseless, but by Shelton being brought tip to the scratch, although
he instantly dropped, yet he was unanimously declared to have won
the battle. How then is it possible Spring cal be a winner ? He
did not get up any more than Langan ; if Shelton had tot been
brought to the scratch, which world have claimed the battle-money ?
Hut Langan was not on the flash side of the question. Is this the
fair play of which Englishmen so much boast ? It was this kind
of fair play which was shown to .Moliueux, in his first battle with
Ctibb; but he was a black—that most likely was sufficient reason.
Langan is not a black, but unfortunately he is an Irishman, and
that is s fault which Las decided the battle against hint. I can say
this for Langan, though he is not within one hundred miles of me
at the present moment, that his only wish is to fight Spring but
on a stage ; and the last words we had at parting were, " If the
money is awarded tome, which I think I have a just right to have,
tell Spring, that if he pleases he shall have another chance
fur the same stakes, by fighting ova again, and the winner shall
take them."

Gentlemen, I am sorry I have bed occasion to take up so n:uch
of your valuable time, but I cannot take leave of you without al.
lulling to an observation in one of the newspapers, which stated
that Langan was badly advised to fight Spring, and that he was
over-trained. With respect to his °remaining, the long fight
proves a direct contradiction ; with respect to being badly advised,
if be bad fair play, where was the bad advice? Ile certainly did
not fight so well as 1 expected ; but that may be attributed to a
diffidence that always accompanies u pugilist on his first appearance
in the London Ring; but 1 am quite positive he will 'twisty the
world as much about his giving qualifications, as he has done with
his taking abilities. 'Wfth respect to Spring, if we were to admit
that he did win the battle, what honour would he gain agaiest a
man two incites Amer, and above a stone less in weight ?
It is a singular fact, chit Langan and Belcher have received
several letters, stating, that It ever Spring had the worst of the
battle, the ring woull be broken; and in Ilimfingitain it was
current that the Irishman would net be allowed to win.
I am, Oentkruen, your very humble servant,
Castle Tavern, Holborn, THOIHAS REYNOLDS.
Jan. 14, 1824.