The Sun.
London, England, 1859-12-17 00:00:00

PUGILIS2II.

THE CHAMPIONSHIP.
(From Bell's Life.)
Tom SAYERS AND JOHN C. HEENAN.—Thursday evening
last was the time, and Owen Swift's, Horse Shoe, Tich-
borne-street, the place appointed for depositing a second
sum of £5O a side for this all-important match, and it hav-
ing been intimated that in all prbbability some gentleman
would be in attendance on the part of Heenan to ratify the
articles, there was considerable excitement at the appointed
hour. The backer of Sayers rose and offered to stake his
£5O, in accordance with the terms of the original articles,
when an American gentleman present stated that ho had
only arrived during the present week from New York, with
full powers to treat on behalf of Heenan. Ho disputed the
right of Sayers to insist on the fight coming off in March,
and stated that Heenan would have but a short time for
preparation were this agreed to. Tom Sayers, who was also
in the room, at once offered to give way ; and after a very
short and amicable discussion, it was arranged thak the
fight should come off on the 16th of April. This involved
an alteration of articles; and, as it was late, it was settled
that the friends of both parties should meet at our office on
the following day, and draw out a fresh agreement.
On Friday morning, therefore, Heenan's representative,
and several friends, repaired to our sanctum, where they
were met by the Champion in person and his principal
backers, and without the slightest dispute or difficulty, the
following articles were drawn up .
" Articles of agreement entered into this 16th day of
December, 1859, between Thomas Sayers and John C.
Heenan. The said T. Sayers agrees to fight the said John
Heenan for £2OO a side, according to the Rules of the Ring
of the Pugilistic Benevolent Association, by which the said
T. Sayers and John Heenan hereby mutually agree to be
bound. The said fight shall take place on Monday, April
16, 1860, within 100 miles and above 20 miles from London.
In pursuance of this agreement £lOO a side are now depo-
sited in the hands of the Editor of Bell's Life, who shall be
final stakeholder. The second deposit shall be made, of
£5O a side, at Nat Langham's, Cambrian, Castle-street,
Leicester-square, on Wednesday, February 22d, 1860.
The last deposit shall be made, of £5O a side, at Owen
Swift's, on March 30th. The deposits shall be made be-
tween the hours of eight and ten, and the party failing in
his deposit shall forfeit the whole of the money then staked.
The men shall be in the ring between the hours of twelve
and one, or the man absent shall forfeit the battle-money.
The expenses of the ropes and stakes shall be shared equally
by the combatants. The Editor of Bell's Life in London
to name the place and the referee.
(Signed)' " JOnN GIDEON, for Tom Sayers.
" FaED.—, for John C Heenan."
This document having been duly signed, all parties shook
hands good-hnmouredly and went their several wayf ,
each side evidently well pleased at the friendly nature of
the proceedings; and in this feeling, we have no doubt,
Heenan and his Transatlantic friends will cordially
join on ,receiving the welcome intelligence that all
is at length arranged in a fair, straightfeiward man-
ner. Heenan, we are informed, may be expected in this
couxtry in the month of January. As many questions
have been put to us as to the respective heights, ages, and
weights of the men, we took an opportunity on Friday of
ascertaining the truth on both sides. The gentleman re-
presenting Heenan tells us that he will be 26 years of ago
on May 3, 1860 ; his actual height is 6 ft. 11 in., and his
fighting weight about 1801 b., or 12st. 121 b. Tom Sayers
is 34 years of age, height 5 ft. 81 in., and weight 10st. 121 b.
This information may save us answering many questions.