The National Register.
London, England, 1821-12-17 00:00:00

THE NATIONAL REGISTER

GREAT BOXING MATCH,
BETWEEN THE BRISTOL MAN AND THE CELEBRATED
HICKMAN, COMMONLY CALLED GAS, FOR TWO HUNDRED
GUINEAS A SIDE.
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This great battle was for the honorary title of
" Champion of England ;" it took place 65 miles
from London, on the Downs on one side of Hunger-
ford, Berks, on the verge of Haws and Wilts. Our
informant calculates the assemblage of persons pre-
sent at 25,000, hundreds of whom had a mere
limited sight of the ring. Newbury was all bustle
on Monday, and many who left their downy
dabs, were content with repose in a hay-loft. The
backer of Gas sported a new yellow bounder upon
the occasion—his entry into Newbury with his fa-
vourite man, was hailed with acclamations, and the
Tenerife was put about for Sherry in gallons.—
Even the populous town of Reading was full: the
cavalcade on the road presented a scene quite new to
the natives. The commissary in the wriggling drag,
wedged in with the ropes and stakes, left Newbury
on Monday afternoon, after taking a drain of blue
ruin with a swell pall, and the 24 feet square was
roped in good stile. At I`2 o'clock the Unnmander.
in-Chief of all the wilting farces arrived—his entree
into the ring was hailed with enthusiasm. The
ring was admirably kept, and good order prevailed
on all sides. Neate appeared first, with Belcher,
Gas followed soon afterwards with his backer, and
both set wat peeling. The seconds were Belcher
and Harmer for their countryman, and Spring and
Shelton for Gas. Betting was even, but Neate for
choice. He was up to the mark at 14 stone ; Gas
was about 12 stone.—When stripped the disparage-
ment in size was apparent. They shook hands to-
gether on their that meeting.
THE BATTLE.
Bound I. Not a voice was heard whilst the men were in eta.
code. Gas made the first play and was returned upon. Some
blows were exchanged, both were too eager. Gas was thrown.
Neate placed a counter hit upon his adversary's throat, and
the right hand of Has told upon the body. Both tell from the
struggle, to the advantage of Gas.
IL A game fighting round, and many blows were exchanged
rather in favour of Gas ; he placed his favourite right handed hit
upon the throat, and Neste seemed rather abroad, but both stood
to each other like real good ones, and Neate was under in the tall
—4 and 6 to 4 on Gas.
4. .4 terrible fighting round. Gas making the play, received
a tremendous counter hit stun the left hand upon the ef e. which
Almeria the head, and caused a sort of paralytic affecuon.—
Gas seemed to disregard it, and fought very manfully, but his
adversary out-fought him, and set the claret flying in all three.
titms. Gas received another lett-handed facer on the mouth,
which nearly dropped him, but his goodness refused trifles, and
lie was at length thrown against his will.
I. (has was cleanly tiJortsl at going in, and making play-2 to
1 on Nrate. •

G. This was in favour of Neste, and it was evident to good
judges, that the tremendous rush of Gas, which had put his
former adversaries to lam would not be received by Nerte.—
After a manly rally, Nerte was under in the full.
7. Neate placed hits very heavy left and right upon the con-
tused eye of his adversary, and also under the lug. Gas had all
the worst of the round, and wrs floored by a left handed facer-5
to lon Neale. . .

-
S. iseas was much distressed from the hitting lie got in the last
round, but undismayed, he untied to at his work, and threw his
adversary in a struggle.
9. )(cute taking the advantage of his lead, fl •w in upon the
mot and wit system, and having missed his hit, Gas floored him
with the right hand.
10. Gas bled profusely from the eye which was nearly closed,
and )leate dropped him by nearly staving in his breast bone-4
W 1 on Neate.

11. Gas was in great distress from severe hits received, and
Neate wasikpiug too. Neate was dropped in a rally by a right
handed bot.y blow.
12. A manly fighting round, and Gas had none the worst of
it; but he was thrown.
13. Gas was hit cleanly down by the left hand, and barring an
accident he had no chance of winning. It was not more than
that lie did not come again.
16. Neate was very tired, and Gas slimed goodness in an ex •
traordinary manner by hard lighting, anJ in tailing Neate was
under.

IS Neate hit his adversary down by another blow over the con-
tused eye, and it was all up.
li This was the last 'Ant of Gas, whose lion heart was yet
unsubdued. Ile placed several blows, and at last he tell, nature
having turned him up.
17 and le In these rounds lams stood up to be slaughtered. for
had Newt., been exercising his tilling as a butcher. he could not
nut have served a west country heifer wor,e. Gas was senseless
to the call of time, after having been knocked down in the llith
round, and Neste was declared the victor without losing blood.
Gas should have been taken away in the itch round.