The Sun.
London, England, 1845-09-15 00:00:00

ring, -and lost the fight. The mortification of the friends of
Caunt, who stood up immediately to renew the fight, was beyond
description at this result of the =test, Upon further application
to the referee Spring argued that there had been clearly an exchange
of blows; that to all appearance the round had finished; and that
when Caunt went down he dial so from a determination not again
to be taken by surprise, or to renew the struggle till " time" was
called. The referee said, in answer, he was not aware of this fact,
nor had such a representation been made to him before he gave
his decision. What he had decided could not then be recalled, and
therefore the fight was at an end. The time occupied by the
battle was two hours and 10 minutes.

" Thus terminated the most disgraceful and disgusting exhibition
that ever stained the annals of British boxing. The ring will
cease to be the arena of fair play and manly bearing. Bendigo's
style of assault is characterised as quite contrary to all notions of
fair and honourable contest. Such practices are utterly opposed
to the principles of "a fair stand-up fight;'' and the greatest
coward might conquer the bravest man if he were allowed to wait
till he had a chance of administering punishment, and
then to throw himself down to avoid a return, and
laugh at the success of his tactics. Whether, under
these circumstances, the referee will still adhere to his
decision, and declare Bendigo honestly entitled to possess
the distinction of Champion of the Ring, will he seen when he is
again appealed to by those who have complained of his decision ;
but it is highly probable that he sill be able to alter his decree
under the plea of self-preservation, since it is very clear that the
most decided attempt at intimidation was used towards him by the
Nottingham ruffians. The slightest appeal against the conduct of
Bendigo was drowned or opposed by their cries and execrations
throughout the contest, which was rendered more terrific by the
flourish of their bludgeons, that were shaken with significant
meaning over the head of the referee, and which in one instance
ended nearly in the prostration of Spring, and in another in the
destruction of Caunt, at whose head a deadly blow was aimed
during the fight, although it fell accidentally on the shoulder of
Bendigo as he lay across the ropes with Caunt over him. The
greatest difficulty existed throughout the fight to keep the ring
clear, and every species of violence, theft, and blackguardism was
reported :to have taken place both on the ground and in the
neighbourhood of the field." _

The Champion's belt and the stakes of 410/. Is the subject of
the greatest possible dispute ; Bendigo claiming it and Caunt pro-
testing against it being handed over to him. On the part of
Caunt it is al:eged that, in the round preceding the last, Bendigo
struck his opponent below the waistband, which was foul ; and an
appeal was made to the referee, who declared he did not see it, and
could not decide. Mr. Osbaldeston, a gentleman well known in the
sporting world, was the referee on this occasion, and whose im-
partiality neither party attempts to impugn. Caunt has since
offered to add 3001. aside 0 the present stakes, and meet Bendigo
in another ring, and fight for the whole. This offer has not as
yet been accepted, and all bets, which are to a very considerable
amount, still remain unpaid, and which are governed by the stakes,
and the greatest altercation and confusion prevail between the
parties,