The Sun.
London, England, 1826-12-14 00:00:00

SPARRING AT THE TENNIS-COURT.

Dick Curtis, the Pet of the Fancy, took his benefit yesterday,
and had a more numerous attendance of patrons and pugilists
than we have witnessed for some time. The Court was, in fact,
crowded, and the display of sparring was decidedly the best that
has been exhibited during the year. Among those who set-to
were M‘Carthy and Jack the Painter ; Latham and Ruby ; Tom
Cannon and Tom Oliver ; Wallace and Reidie ; Bittoon and
Villiteheaded Bob ; Cassell' and Fisher ; Turner and Murphy ;
Harry Jones and Young Brummagem; Harry Holt and Gipsey
Cooper; and, as a closer, Dick Curtis and Young Dutch Sam.
Each man did his best, and the wannest commendations burst
from every part of the Court. Dick is about to commence train-
ing, preparatory to his fight with Barney Aaron.

THe FIGHT SCTWXY.N ?O'NEAL. And SAUPSON.—O'NeaI
chewed, and had hot little the appearance of having so recently
fought the gum( Sampson—his muzzle was without a scratch.
and to those who happened not to have been at South Mums,
much persuasion was necessary to convince thum that be had
been in the ring at all. Sampson did not venture to come up;,
or the tender sympathies of the Fancy might have been excited by
the dreadful marks of punishment which, with the use of a micros-
cope, might have been diseo'vered within the forty-second part oleo
inch of the top of his left listener. A Bulletin, however, arrived
from his two Birmingham nurses, stating that " he was quite as
well as could be expected," and would shortly return to the
button-moulders of his native town, to reap the reward of his
prowess. The Stakeholder was present, avid announced that
he had givell Ned O'Neal -a cheque for the amount of the
battleanoney, which, at once, put an end to the numerous doubts
which existed as to whether bets would be paid or not. The
bets, according to the rules of sporting, necessarily go as the
battle-money goes ; anti, although many may pay with reluct-
ance, still, in honour, they will be expected " to tip." Upon
the character of the fight, some severe comments were made, and
Sampson's conduct was spoken at in no very measured terms.
Of O'Neal nothing prejudicial was said ; his friends, of course,
contend that he knocked his man out of time, and, as far as he is
concerned, ne blame whatever seems to attach. The thing,
upon the whole, was extremely well managed, and some of the
most leary cones dropped their rap to a considerable amount.
On the road home front the tight, Ned O'Neal and Jem Burns
came in contact at the Crown, at Holloway, when it was agreed
that they should meet, to make a match, at Toni Belcher's, on
the 21 of January, for a 100/. a aide, ur
present to forfeit 2/. the party to be
Youtqa GAS AND YORKSHIRE ROBINSON, —.The fourth de-
posit for this fight was made good last night at the Craven Ilead,
Drury-lane. Robinson continues to train with Toni Spring, at
Hereford ; and Gas takes his exercise at Virginia Water. Rubin-
son, we hear, is going on well, and getting into excellent condi-
tion. The battle will take place on the 9th of January.
WARD AND VaawLyr.--The final deposit for this fight will
be made at Tout Belejlec's, Castle Tavern, on Friday next, of
a sporting dinner ; and on the same day, and at the saute place,
Whiteheaded Bob will make his match to fight Jem Ward in
three months after his :disk with Crawley, for ROO/. a side,