James Belcher- the first "Scientific" Pugalists ?
Re: James Belcher- the first "Scientific" Pugalists ?
The post was from 2008, and, as was discussed in viewtopic.php?f=4&t=222221 , the author was clearly another person, who's name remains unknown.
Re: James Belcher- the first "Scientific" Pugalists ?
Chester Courant - Tuesday 17 December 1805
The late Champion Belcher, and the celebrated GAME CHICKEN
The renown which the celebrated Pearce, the Game Chicken, acquired in his recent encounter with Gulley, after haying vanquished so many former opponents, justified, (in the opinion the sporting world) his assuming the pre-eminent title of the Champion of England. It is not an empty order, but is accompanied by the solid advantages of pecuniary recompense, by the arbitrators on such subjects. This elevation has consequently not been viewed with indifference by rival chieftain in the noble science of boxing. Belcher, whose name has resounded often as his blows, enjoyed the distinguished appellation before him, and in every contest in which he engaged proved victorious. He had constantly declared himself the better man of the two, but his ill state of health had prevented the amateurs from backing him. This obstacle, for many weeks past, was removed, and as the two heros were were no enemies, a battle, for the mere sake fighting, or what is more elegantly termed—for love, would, ere this, have taken place between them, had not Belcher been backed. ln the confidence of superiority he had vaunted that he would fight the Chicken in a saw-pit, rather than submit to lose the honour conferred on him by successively besting Jones, Bartholomew. Andrew Gamble, Burke, and many other good men. After a course of training, Belcher improved wind, limb, and muscular power, and 500 guineas a side were staked, to be contended for.— His health rapidly renovated, while in training, his vigour increased, and his activity strengthened; the entire frame and tone of the man became invigorated, and his bodily capabilities, as was supposed, as powerful and energetic as ever. To the scale of these advantages was opposed the loss an eye, a deficiency which proved greatly against him. He has always been a quick, strait, and hard hitter, a desperate and resolute rallier, and of an invincible spirit. The Chicken is known to the public by his recent successful combats with Berks, Elias Sprey, Cart, and the noted Gulley. The latter is the only man who had ever put him on his mettle, and with him he gave more convincing proofs of being a systematic bruiser than ever he had done before. He is a shy, sure fighter, a round, but quick hitter and moreover, what is technically termed, a glutton, that is to say, he can stomach as much beating as can well given him in the ordinary duration of a battle. He is a stouter and more athletic man than Belcher, and was never hit off his legs. Belcher always beat his men infinite less time than the Chicken, who, as we have hinted, is shy, wary, and circumspect. A roped ring, of twenty feet, within one of forty, was formed on Friday morning at Blythe, White Water, near Mr. Mellish's seat, at the village of Blythe, Nottinghamshire, and some time after twelve the combatants entered, with their seconds, Bill Ward and Gibbons for the Chicken, and Bob Watson and Dick Weale for Belcher. After stripping, the combatants deposited stake of twenty guineas each on their own account, and the Belcher handkerchief of orange colour was placed with another pattern of a blue ground, worn by the Chicken, and called that name. It was truly sporting sight, and current betting was five four on the Chicken. A good deal of money was depending, who first drew blood.
THE CONTEST,
Ist Round.—Cautious sparring; Belcher made several feints, and at length put in severe blow on the Chicken's eye, over his guard, which drew blood copiously; the Chicken returned the b!low slightly; they closed, and the Chicken threw his man:
2d.—Belcher again made several feints, and the Chicken, whose face was covered with blood, guarded cautiously, and made a hit; Belcher Belcher put in two blows on the Chicken's body, and they closed. They disengaged themselves ; the Chicken aimed a well-directed hit, which Belcher stopped dexterously; they rallied, and the Chicken hit two good blows, and threw his man. Twenty to twelve on the Chicken.
3d.—A hard round, rather in favour of the Chicken; several blows were exchanged in rally made by him; they closed, and Belcher was thrown upon the rope.
4th.— Chicken hit twice at his man, but the blows fel short, and Belcher rallied, with success, but was again thrown.
5th.—The Chicken continued to bleed freely from the blow he received in the first rouud.—• He however smiled with confidence, went in and rallied, which terminated in favour Belcheir who threw him.
6th.—Belcher displayed a good deal of his accustomed science, and appeared meet his man cautiously. He rallied, and several blows were exchanged; they closed and fell, Belcher undermost.
7th.—This round was much in favour Belcher. The Chicken made hit, which Belcher stopped dexterously, and with his right hand hit the Chicken a hard blow in the face. A rally followed, in which Belcher had the advantage; they closed, and the Chicken got his opponent's head under his left arm, and hit him several blows under with his right hand; both fell.
8th.—Belcher went in, and rallied courageously, and displayed the skill of pugilism to perfection; he struck several blows with his right hand, and hit off those of the Chicken with his left.— He had considerable advantage during the round, and ultimately threw his man over the rope out of the ring. Bets level.
9th.—Both on their mettle, and apparendy fresh; Belcher hit the Chicken hard blow in the face, which cut him severely; other blows were exchanged, and thev closed and fell.
10th.—Somewhat in favour of the Chicken, without any blows of consequence. Belcher appeared to growing weak.
llth.—The Chicken over-reached himself in making hit. and the combatants closed. Belcher disengaged himself by a twist and hit his man, who threw him.
12th.—The Chicken went and rallied furiously, and it was evident that Belcher had fallen off in strength, and had materially the worst of the rally. The Chicken closed, and threw him on the rope, and had a fair opportunity ending the fight, for Belcher lay balanced on his back, and had the Chicken given him one of his determined blows he must have killed him. He put himself in an attitude for giving a blow, when looked round the ring, and exclaimed—"Jem, I won't take, advantage of thee."; This honourable step was applauded with shouts from the spectators. 13th.—Chicken went in and rallied without ceremony. Belcher's blows were grown feeble; they closed, and Belcher gave the Chicken a very severe and clean cross-buttock.
14th.—Tedious sparring, Belcher shy, and bleeding in the head and body with two blows given in the former round. The Chicken followed him to the ropes, when gave him a hard blow under the blind eye, through his guard, and threw him easily.
15th.—This round left no hopes for Belcher; it also decided many bets respecting the first knock-down blow. The Chickcn went in very gaily, and gave his opponent two hits, they closed, and the Chicken hit Belcher blow underneath, on the lower rib, which, to use the sporting phrase, doubled him together, and fell. The Umpire, for the satisfaction- of the sporting men, declared this to be a knock-down blow.
16th.—Belcher hit the Chicken a well-directd, but feeble blow in the face, whilst sparring the Chicken smiled, rallied his man,, and got him again the rope, as in the 12th round.—He repeated his honourable conduct as before, and walked away without hitting him.—This round decided the fight, although Belcher fought one more. In the rally he was first thrown on one the stakes to which the rope was fastened, and it was supposed he had broken the lower rib, the Chicken having hit him in the same place shortly I before.—Ten to one.
17th.—Belcher summoned all his efforts to put in a blow, thie Chicken followed him to the rope again, and threw him. Belcher could not move his left arm from his side. He, however, stood up to fight in the 18th round, but finding himself totally disabled, be resigned the contest, after fighting 35 minutes. The Chicken immediately leaped over the rope out of the ring, and entered it again in the same manner, displaying his agility by a somerset.
OBSERVATIONS.
The contest, if not so obstinate as might have been expected, was truly a scientific one, and those who lost their money on the late champion, have net the slightest reason attach blame to him. It was evident however that the disadvantage of the loss of an eye was greater than was supposed. Those who had witnessed the former battles of Belcher could perceive in him a deficiency in many points, notwithstanding he displayed all his former skill and courage; but after they had. fought quarter of hour, Belcher had received many hits in the face, and water stood full his perfect eye. By this disadvantage he was unable to judge the length of his opponent, nor could perceive the hits coming towards him, until it was too late guard against them. With respect to his own blows, as he observed himself after the fight, they were merely casual attempts, for his sight was not sufficiently quick and strong to place them judiciously.— Those who had on former occasions been filled with enthusiastic admiration at the unexampled courage and skill Belcher, felt deeply for his unfortunate situation. He did not suppose the Chicken to be so wonderful a man: but at the latter end the fight his strength failed him, and was unable to stop the furious blows which disfigured his frame. The Chicken had many severe blows, but they did not appear to make the slightest impression on him, and he arrived near town Saturday evening. He appeared in full confidence of victory during the contest, and fought very circumspectly. When he fell a slip, he threw Belcher off him full three yards by the muscular strength his arms. After.the contest, Belcher was put into a post-chaise, and driven to the house of a surgeon, where he was bled; and it was ascertained that the rib which was supposed have been broken was not so. The number of spectators was unprecedented, notwithstanding the scene of action was 18(?) miles from town. The losers on the contest were principally countrymen, who assembled in Scuvey(?) and Barnaby-moor, in groups, where Belcher and the Chicken were stationed. Belcher had been some weeks in the country, and consequently five to four were taken freely by the inhabitants of the neighbouring towns.
There were also present many :many Noblemen and Gentlemen of distinction from town and country. Amongst the principal losers are Messrs. Mellish, Fletcher Read, &c. &c.
The late Champion Belcher, and the celebrated GAME CHICKEN
The renown which the celebrated Pearce, the Game Chicken, acquired in his recent encounter with Gulley, after haying vanquished so many former opponents, justified, (in the opinion the sporting world) his assuming the pre-eminent title of the Champion of England. It is not an empty order, but is accompanied by the solid advantages of pecuniary recompense, by the arbitrators on such subjects. This elevation has consequently not been viewed with indifference by rival chieftain in the noble science of boxing. Belcher, whose name has resounded often as his blows, enjoyed the distinguished appellation before him, and in every contest in which he engaged proved victorious. He had constantly declared himself the better man of the two, but his ill state of health had prevented the amateurs from backing him. This obstacle, for many weeks past, was removed, and as the two heros were were no enemies, a battle, for the mere sake fighting, or what is more elegantly termed—for love, would, ere this, have taken place between them, had not Belcher been backed. ln the confidence of superiority he had vaunted that he would fight the Chicken in a saw-pit, rather than submit to lose the honour conferred on him by successively besting Jones, Bartholomew. Andrew Gamble, Burke, and many other good men. After a course of training, Belcher improved wind, limb, and muscular power, and 500 guineas a side were staked, to be contended for.— His health rapidly renovated, while in training, his vigour increased, and his activity strengthened; the entire frame and tone of the man became invigorated, and his bodily capabilities, as was supposed, as powerful and energetic as ever. To the scale of these advantages was opposed the loss an eye, a deficiency which proved greatly against him. He has always been a quick, strait, and hard hitter, a desperate and resolute rallier, and of an invincible spirit. The Chicken is known to the public by his recent successful combats with Berks, Elias Sprey, Cart, and the noted Gulley. The latter is the only man who had ever put him on his mettle, and with him he gave more convincing proofs of being a systematic bruiser than ever he had done before. He is a shy, sure fighter, a round, but quick hitter and moreover, what is technically termed, a glutton, that is to say, he can stomach as much beating as can well given him in the ordinary duration of a battle. He is a stouter and more athletic man than Belcher, and was never hit off his legs. Belcher always beat his men infinite less time than the Chicken, who, as we have hinted, is shy, wary, and circumspect. A roped ring, of twenty feet, within one of forty, was formed on Friday morning at Blythe, White Water, near Mr. Mellish's seat, at the village of Blythe, Nottinghamshire, and some time after twelve the combatants entered, with their seconds, Bill Ward and Gibbons for the Chicken, and Bob Watson and Dick Weale for Belcher. After stripping, the combatants deposited stake of twenty guineas each on their own account, and the Belcher handkerchief of orange colour was placed with another pattern of a blue ground, worn by the Chicken, and called that name. It was truly sporting sight, and current betting was five four on the Chicken. A good deal of money was depending, who first drew blood.
THE CONTEST,
Ist Round.—Cautious sparring; Belcher made several feints, and at length put in severe blow on the Chicken's eye, over his guard, which drew blood copiously; the Chicken returned the b!low slightly; they closed, and the Chicken threw his man:
2d.—Belcher again made several feints, and the Chicken, whose face was covered with blood, guarded cautiously, and made a hit; Belcher Belcher put in two blows on the Chicken's body, and they closed. They disengaged themselves ; the Chicken aimed a well-directed hit, which Belcher stopped dexterously; they rallied, and the Chicken hit two good blows, and threw his man. Twenty to twelve on the Chicken.
3d.—A hard round, rather in favour of the Chicken; several blows were exchanged in rally made by him; they closed, and Belcher was thrown upon the rope.
4th.— Chicken hit twice at his man, but the blows fel short, and Belcher rallied, with success, but was again thrown.
5th.—The Chicken continued to bleed freely from the blow he received in the first rouud.—• He however smiled with confidence, went in and rallied, which terminated in favour Belcheir who threw him.
6th.—Belcher displayed a good deal of his accustomed science, and appeared meet his man cautiously. He rallied, and several blows were exchanged; they closed and fell, Belcher undermost.
7th.—This round was much in favour Belcher. The Chicken made hit, which Belcher stopped dexterously, and with his right hand hit the Chicken a hard blow in the face. A rally followed, in which Belcher had the advantage; they closed, and the Chicken got his opponent's head under his left arm, and hit him several blows under with his right hand; both fell.
8th.—Belcher went in, and rallied courageously, and displayed the skill of pugilism to perfection; he struck several blows with his right hand, and hit off those of the Chicken with his left.— He had considerable advantage during the round, and ultimately threw his man over the rope out of the ring. Bets level.
9th.—Both on their mettle, and apparendy fresh; Belcher hit the Chicken hard blow in the face, which cut him severely; other blows were exchanged, and thev closed and fell.
10th.—Somewhat in favour of the Chicken, without any blows of consequence. Belcher appeared to growing weak.
llth.—The Chicken over-reached himself in making hit. and the combatants closed. Belcher disengaged himself by a twist and hit his man, who threw him.
12th.—The Chicken went and rallied furiously, and it was evident that Belcher had fallen off in strength, and had materially the worst of the rally. The Chicken closed, and threw him on the rope, and had a fair opportunity ending the fight, for Belcher lay balanced on his back, and had the Chicken given him one of his determined blows he must have killed him. He put himself in an attitude for giving a blow, when looked round the ring, and exclaimed—"Jem, I won't take, advantage of thee."; This honourable step was applauded with shouts from the spectators. 13th.—Chicken went in and rallied without ceremony. Belcher's blows were grown feeble; they closed, and Belcher gave the Chicken a very severe and clean cross-buttock.
14th.—Tedious sparring, Belcher shy, and bleeding in the head and body with two blows given in the former round. The Chicken followed him to the ropes, when gave him a hard blow under the blind eye, through his guard, and threw him easily.
15th.—This round left no hopes for Belcher; it also decided many bets respecting the first knock-down blow. The Chickcn went in very gaily, and gave his opponent two hits, they closed, and the Chicken hit Belcher blow underneath, on the lower rib, which, to use the sporting phrase, doubled him together, and fell. The Umpire, for the satisfaction- of the sporting men, declared this to be a knock-down blow.
16th.—Belcher hit the Chicken a well-directd, but feeble blow in the face, whilst sparring the Chicken smiled, rallied his man,, and got him again the rope, as in the 12th round.—He repeated his honourable conduct as before, and walked away without hitting him.—This round decided the fight, although Belcher fought one more. In the rally he was first thrown on one the stakes to which the rope was fastened, and it was supposed he had broken the lower rib, the Chicken having hit him in the same place shortly I before.—Ten to one.
17th.—Belcher summoned all his efforts to put in a blow, thie Chicken followed him to the rope again, and threw him. Belcher could not move his left arm from his side. He, however, stood up to fight in the 18th round, but finding himself totally disabled, be resigned the contest, after fighting 35 minutes. The Chicken immediately leaped over the rope out of the ring, and entered it again in the same manner, displaying his agility by a somerset.
OBSERVATIONS.
The contest, if not so obstinate as might have been expected, was truly a scientific one, and those who lost their money on the late champion, have net the slightest reason attach blame to him. It was evident however that the disadvantage of the loss of an eye was greater than was supposed. Those who had witnessed the former battles of Belcher could perceive in him a deficiency in many points, notwithstanding he displayed all his former skill and courage; but after they had. fought quarter of hour, Belcher had received many hits in the face, and water stood full his perfect eye. By this disadvantage he was unable to judge the length of his opponent, nor could perceive the hits coming towards him, until it was too late guard against them. With respect to his own blows, as he observed himself after the fight, they were merely casual attempts, for his sight was not sufficiently quick and strong to place them judiciously.— Those who had on former occasions been filled with enthusiastic admiration at the unexampled courage and skill Belcher, felt deeply for his unfortunate situation. He did not suppose the Chicken to be so wonderful a man: but at the latter end the fight his strength failed him, and was unable to stop the furious blows which disfigured his frame. The Chicken had many severe blows, but they did not appear to make the slightest impression on him, and he arrived near town Saturday evening. He appeared in full confidence of victory during the contest, and fought very circumspectly. When he fell a slip, he threw Belcher off him full three yards by the muscular strength his arms. After.the contest, Belcher was put into a post-chaise, and driven to the house of a surgeon, where he was bled; and it was ascertained that the rib which was supposed have been broken was not so. The number of spectators was unprecedented, notwithstanding the scene of action was 18(?) miles from town. The losers on the contest were principally countrymen, who assembled in Scuvey(?) and Barnaby-moor, in groups, where Belcher and the Chicken were stationed. Belcher had been some weeks in the country, and consequently five to four were taken freely by the inhabitants of the neighbouring towns.
There were also present many :many Noblemen and Gentlemen of distinction from town and country. Amongst the principal losers are Messrs. Mellish, Fletcher Read, &c. &c.
Re: James Belcher- the first "Scientific" Pugalists ?
https://books.google.com/books?id=965XAAAAcAAJ
starting from page 135, short treatise on boxing by J. Belcher from 1809.
starting from page 135, short treatise on boxing by J. Belcher from 1809.
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HomicideHenry
- Heavyweight
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Re: James Belcher- the first "Scientific" Pugalists ?
I'd venture to say Daniel Mendoza was the first true scientific boxer--- that is known of anyways--- because he was the first noted to have created a career out of defense and movement, etc rather than offense and toughness. That's probably why he lived to be an old man in comparison to his fellow fighters of his era and prior.