The Statesman.
London, England, 1824-01-26 00:00:00

PUGILISM.

•
. Monkey Hurst on Thursday presented one of those acenec of
mOrtifieation and disgust which have of late years tended to
bring into disrepute the prizd-ring, and to strengthen those
strong prejudices which are known to exist against all public
exhibitions of the manly art of boxing. To many, the only
argument which can be nrged, with success, in favour of
thesecontests, is the fact of their tending to promote the study
of self defence, and to excite an admiration of that fair ana
kattwal mode of deciding personal differences, which is sv
peculiar to our nation, and at the same time so opposite to?, lOW
treacherous practices of some of our Continental neiglsbotits.
When, however, the prize-ring is made the source of the grOss•
est swindling, and men are pitted against each other, not with
the view of deciding who is the best man, hut for the purpose
of wilfully losing or winning a battle according to the dicta-
don of their backers, such arguments become nugatory,
and the practice must be reprobated even by these who
might otherwise have proved its strongest advocates. 'the
attraction to Itloulsey on Thursday was afight between Stock-
man and Cavanagh, two little men under the weight. of
10 stone, who had fought twice before, Cavanagh having won
the first battle, and Stockman the second. We know not
under what circumstances the first contest was decided, but we
• were present at the second, and can vouch for Cavanagh liar.
big been fairly beaten, after a long contested and scientific
fight, in which Stockman decidedly proved himself to be the
strongest and the best man. In making up the third fight of
Thursday, it was clear that there was a sinister object in view,
into the knowledge of which the knowing ones only were ad-
mitted. Judging from the past, the odds were of course in fa-
vour of Stockman, and he was freely backed at 5 and 6 to 4.
Of these odds there were anxious takers, and the books of the
minor members of the fancy were tolerably well filled. As the
day of meeting approached, however, some suspicions were
exited towards the conduct of persons who were considered
good judges, and alto were discovered to be taking the odds in
pounds ; while as a colour to their supposed opinions in fermi:. of
Stockman, they were betting the other way in shillings and half-
crowns. Still, however, nothing decisive was said, and at an early
ho ii r Thursday there was a numerous assemblage of amateurs and
others at Hampton. Spring, the champion, Randall, and others
celebrated in the annals of pugilism, were present; and at one
o'clock all prepared for their voyage to the Hurst, to which
they were conveyed in boats, pouts, and barges, in due course.
Spriug, who had by this time heard that Stockman was not
to win, felt indignant at such infamous treachery, and with be-
coining spirit, went to him and remonstrated against so base
an intention. lie told him he knew he could win it; and de-
clared his resolution to watch the tightiag, and if he found any
thing wrong to take care that he should never enter the prize
ring again. He added, that he would find fair play carry hint
througii the world, while the advice of such persons as at that
moment surrounded him would prove his ruin. Stockman
cavalierly replied, that " he would do what he knew," and did
nut seem desirous of any further advice. -