1-150-302 - The Cartoon Collector/Heritage-Images

An opinion on boxing, 1860. The father of the house, warming his rump at the fire, cannot understand why anyone would wish to read about the sport of prize fighting. In mid-April 1860, a fight took place at Farnborough between Tom Sayers (the Brighton Boy), the English champion, and the American, Heenan, alias the 'Benicia Boy'. Prize fighting had by now fallen into disfavour, but this fight was attended by people from all classes. The fight took place over two hours and 37 rounds. The end was inconclusive as the police broke into the ring. Opinion was divided as to which fighter had the upper hand at the time, both were badly hurt. Eventually, both fighters were awarded a belt. From Punch, or the London Charivari, April 28, 1860.