Complex sentence: On 8th October 1805 he was again matched against Henry Pearce, before the duke of Clarence (afterwards William IV of the United Kingdom) and numerous other spectators, and after fighting twenty eight rounds, which occupied an hour and seventeen minutes, was beaten.
Split into simpler sentences: On 8th October, 1805, he was again matched against Henry Pearce, before the Duke of Clarence (afterwards William IV of the United Kingdom) and numerous other spectators. After fighting twenty eight rounds, which occupied an hour and seventeen minutes, he was beaten.