Tom Sayers vs. John Camel Heenan - Revision history

Rowdytimothy at 00:19, 15 April 2009

2009-04-15T00:19:35Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:19, 15 April 2009
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	[[Category:~~Bareknuckle~~ Bout Summaries\|Sayers vs. Heenan]]		[[Category:Bare-knuckle Bout Summaries\|Sayers vs. Heenan]]

Rowdytimothy at 00:07, 15 April 2009

2009-04-15T00:07:20Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:07, 15 April 2009
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	'''Background'''		'''Background'''

	It is the 17th of April, 1860. Pugilism has long been declining in Britain, with a series of lacklustre champions from [[Jem Ward]] to [[William Perry]]. It is an era known for fixed fights, bums fighting bums, and growing unpopularity for the what was once considered the Crown Jewel of English sports. But British ~~bareknuckle~~ pugilism is not yet dead--it is ready for one last great, shining moment before the darkness closes in.		It is the 17th of April, 1860. Pugilism has long been declining in Britain, with a series of lacklustre champions from [[Jem Ward]] to [[William Perry]]. It is an era known for fixed fights, bums fighting bums, and growing unpopularity for the what was once considered the Crown Jewel of English sports. But British bare-knuckle pugilism is not yet dead--it is ready for one last great, shining moment before the darkness closes in.

	They fight under essentially the same rules that [[Tom Cribb\|Cribb]] and [[Tom Molineaux\|Molineaux]] fought under a half-century earlier. Rounds can be of any length, and are ended with a knockdown. Each fighter is then given thirty seconds to come up to the scratch mark, or lose. The fighting is ~~bareknuckled~~, and fighters are allowed to use upper-body wrestling to throw their opponents. The fight ends when one fighter quits or is unconscious.		They fight under essentially the same rules that [[Tom Cribb\|Cribb]] and [[Tom Molineaux\|Molineaux]] fought under a half-century earlier. Rounds can be of any length, and are ended with a knockdown. Each fighter is then given thirty seconds to come up to the scratch mark, or lose. The fighting is bare-knuckled, and fighters are allowed to use upper-body wrestling to throw their opponents. The fight ends when one fighter quits or is unconscious.

	The champion is [[Tom Sayers]], the last of the great ~~bareknuckle~~ fighters. A brilliant fighter in an uninspiring era, he has singlehandedly cleaned up the heavyweight division in a series of incredible performances. A middleweight himself, Sayers has demolished the lumbering, unskilled fighters who grew up in the wake of the retirement of [[Tom Spring]] decades ago. He has already done enough to rank him higher than any man since boxing's golden age, but his greatest moment is yet to come.		The champion is [[Tom Sayers]], the last of the great bare-knuckle fighters. A brilliant fighter in an uninspiring era, he has singlehandedly cleaned up the heavyweight division in a series of incredible performances. A middleweight himself, Sayers has demolished the lumbering, unskilled fighters who grew up in the wake of the retirement of [[Tom Spring]] decades ago. He has already done enough to rank him higher than any man since boxing's golden age, but his greatest moment is yet to come.


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	Heenan was a skilled power-puncher at the height of his powers. A big, powerful man, he was only 26, and was known for his vicious straight left hand. He had easily battered the previous Champion of America, Morrissey, for 11 rounds despite the fact that he was suffering from a severe illness at the time--and left the near-unconscious champion the victor when he collapsed from his exertions in the twelfth round! After this incident, Morrissey wisely retired rather than face a motivated, healthy Heenan in a rematch.		Heenan was a skilled power-puncher at the height of his powers. A big, powerful man, he was only 26, and was known for his vicious straight left hand. He had easily battered the previous Champion of America, Morrissey, for 11 rounds despite the fact that he was suffering from a severe illness at the time--and left the near-unconscious champion the victor when he collapsed from his exertions in the twelfth round! After this incident, Morrissey wisely retired rather than face a motivated, healthy Heenan in a rematch.

	The match between the two great champions was greeted with fanatical interest on both sides of the Atlantic, but it was especially fervent in England. For the last time, the prize ring wove its magic over the English people much as it had kept their grandfathers spellbound as they awaited Molineaux--Cribb. Special trains were chartered to transport huge numbers of eager spectators to an obscure spot chosen for the fight--special tickets were even sold, reading simply "to nowhere". At 7:29 AM, the fighters were ready to make history in what was to be one of the greatest fights in ~~bareknuckle~~ history.		The match between the two great champions was greeted with fanatical interest on both sides of the Atlantic, but it was especially fervent in England. For the last time, the prize ring wove its magic over the English people much as it had kept their grandfathers spellbound as they awaited Molineaux--Cribb. Special trains were chartered to transport huge numbers of eager spectators to an obscure spot chosen for the fight--special tickets were even sold, reading simply "to nowhere". At 7:29 AM, the fighters were ready to make history in what was to be one of the greatest fights in bare-knuckle history.

	'''The Fight'''		'''The Fight'''
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	'''Aftermath'''		'''Aftermath'''

	The fight with Heenan was destined to be Tom Sayers' last hurrah, much as it was to be the last hurrah for British ~~bareknuckle~~ prizefighting in general. He was given three thousand pounds by public subscription on the condition that he never boxed again. Unfortunately, he became seriously ill with tuberculosis in 1863. Despite this setback, he stood in Heenan's corner when his former challenger faced Tom King for the championship. The end was nearing, though, and he was diagnosed with diabetes in addition to his tuberculosis in 1865. He died on November 8, 1865 at age 39, and English ~~bareknuckle~~ prizefighting died with him. His funeral, attended by over 30,000 people, was the last great event tied to the English prize ring.		The fight with Heenan was destined to be Tom Sayers' last hurrah, much as it was to be the last hurrah for British bare-knuckle prizefighting in general. He was given three thousand pounds by public subscription on the condition that he never boxed again. Unfortunately, he became seriously ill with tuberculosis in 1863. Despite this setback, he stood in Heenan's corner when his former challenger faced Tom King for the championship. The end was nearing, though, and he was diagnosed with diabetes in addition to his tuberculosis in 1865. He died on November 8, 1865 at age 39, and English bare-knuckle prizefighting died with him. His funeral, attended by over 30,000 people, was the last great event tied to the English prize ring.

	Heenan fought again for the world championship against [[Tom King]] in 1863, but he was already on the decline. He lost a controversial fight in 24 rounds, and never fought again in the spectacular manner of his earlier victories. He died in poverty of a lung haemorrhage in Wyoming in 1879, aged 38.		Heenan fought again for the world championship against [[Tom King]] in 1863, but he was already on the decline. He lost a controversial fight in 24 rounds, and never fought again in the spectacular manner of his earlier victories. He died in poverty of a lung haemorrhage in Wyoming in 1879, aged 38.

Emaster: Sayers vs. Heenan moved to Tom Sayers vs. John Camel Heenan

2007-10-16T17:05:06Z

Sayers vs. Heenan moved to Tom Sayers vs. John Camel Heenan

← Older revision	Revision as of 17:05, 16 October 2007
(No difference)

Ric: added 2nd bout "summary"

2007-01-14T17:05:20Z

added 2nd bout "summary"

Show changes

Ric: image inserted

2006-02-19T03:52:06Z

image inserted

← Older revision		Revision as of 03:52, 19 February 2006
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			[[file:Heenan.Sayers.Print.jpg\|550px\|Currier & Ives Print]]

	'''Background'''		'''Background'''

Matt: more text links

2005-11-16T18:53:36Z

Matt: category

2005-11-16T18:49:28Z

Matt: text links

2005-11-16T18:48:45Z

text links

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:48, 16 November 2005
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	'''Background'''		'''Background'''

	It is the 17th of April, 1860. Pugilism has long been declining in Britain, with a series of lacklustre champions from Jem Ward to William Perry. It is an era known for fixed fights, bums fighting bums, and growing unpopularity for the what was once considered the Crown Jewel of English sports. But British bareknuckle pugilism is not yet dead--it is ready for one last great, shining moment before the darkness closes in.		It is the 17th of April, 1860. Pugilism has long been declining in Britain, with a series of lacklustre champions from [[Jem Ward]] to [[William Perry]]. It is an era known for fixed fights, bums fighting bums, and growing unpopularity for the what was once considered the Crown Jewel of English sports. But British bareknuckle pugilism is not yet dead--it is ready for one last great, shining moment before the darkness closes in.

	They fight under essentially the same rules that Cribb and Molineaux fought under a half-century earlier. Rounds can be of any length, and are ended with a knockdown. Each fighter is then given thirty seconds to come up to the scratch mark, or lose. The fighting is bareknuckled, and fighters are allowed to use upper-body wrestling to throw their opponents. The fight ends when one fighter quits or is unconscious.		They fight under essentially the same rules that Cribb and Molineaux fought under a half-century earlier. Rounds can be of any length, and are ended with a knockdown. Each fighter is then given thirty seconds to come up to the scratch mark, or lose. The fighting is bareknuckled, and fighters are allowed to use upper-body wrestling to throw their opponents. The fight ends when one fighter quits or is unconscious.

	The champion is Tom Sayers, the last of the great bareknuckle fighters. A brilliant fighter in an uninspiring era, he has singlehandedly cleaned up the heavyweight division in a series of incredible performances. A middleweight himself, Sayers has demolished the lumbering, unskilled fighters who grew up in the wake of the retirement of Tom Spring decades ago. He has already done enough to rank him higher than any man since boxing's golden age, but his greatest moment is yet to come.		The champion is [[Tom Sayers]], the last of the great bareknuckle fighters. A brilliant fighter in an uninspiring era, he has singlehandedly cleaned up the heavyweight division in a series of incredible performances. A middleweight himself, Sayers has demolished the lumbering, unskilled fighters who grew up in the wake of the retirement of [[Tom Spring]] decades ago. He has already done enough to rank him higher than any man since boxing's golden age, but his greatest moment is yet to come.


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	Opposing him was John Camel Heenan, the "Benica Boy". An American of Irish descent, Heenan was recognized as champion of the growing talent pool developing in America. He arrived in England in 1860 to fight the English champion in what was to be the first world championship in boxing history.		Opposing him was [[John Heenan\|John Camel Heenan]], the "Benica Boy". An American of Irish descent, Heenan was recognized as champion of the growing talent pool developing in America. He arrived in England in 1860 to fight the English champion in what was to be the first world championship in boxing history.


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	The fight with Heenan was destined to be Tom Sayers' last hurrah, much as it was to be the last hurrah for British bareknuckle prizefighting in general. He was given three thousand pounds by public subscription on the condition that he never boxed again. Unfortunately, he became seriously ill with tuberculosis in 1863. Despite this setback, he stood in Heenan's corner when his former challenger faced Tom King for the championship. The end was nearing, though, and he was diagnosed with diabetes in addition to his tuberculosis in 1865. He died on November 8, 1865 at age 39, and English bareknuckle prizefighting died with him. His funeral, attended by over 30,000 people, was the last great event tied to the English prize ring.		The fight with Heenan was destined to be Tom Sayers' last hurrah, much as it was to be the last hurrah for British bareknuckle prizefighting in general. He was given three thousand pounds by public subscription on the condition that he never boxed again. Unfortunately, he became seriously ill with tuberculosis in 1863. Despite this setback, he stood in Heenan's corner when his former challenger faced Tom King for the championship. The end was nearing, though, and he was diagnosed with diabetes in addition to his tuberculosis in 1865. He died on November 8, 1865 at age 39, and English bareknuckle prizefighting died with him. His funeral, attended by over 30,000 people, was the last great event tied to the English prize ring.

	Heenan fought again for the world championship against Tom King in 1863, but he was already on the decline. He lost a controversial fight in 24 rounds, and never fought again in the spectacular manner of his earlier victories. He died in poverty of a lung haemorrhage in Wyoming in 1879, aged 38.		Heenan fought again for the world championship against [[Tom King]] in 1863, but he was already on the decline. He lost a controversial fight in 24 rounds, and never fought again in the spectacular manner of his earlier victories. He died in poverty of a lung haemorrhage in Wyoming in 1879, aged 38.

	The meeting of these two incredible fighters was known as the "Fight of the Century", and remains one of the few true classics of the English prize ring.		The meeting of these two incredible fighters was known as the "Fight of the Century", and remains one of the few true classics of the English prize ring.

Dempsey1238 at 17:05, 16 November 2005

2005-11-16T17:05:18Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:05, 16 November 2005
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	'''Aftermath'''		'''Aftermath'''

	The fight with Heenan was destined to be Tom Sayers' last hurrah, much as it was to be the last hurrah for British bareknuckle prizefighting in general. He was given three thousand pounds by public subscription on the condition that he never boxed again. Unfortunately, he became seriously ill with tuberculosis in 1863. Despite this setback, he stood in Heenan's corner when his former challenger faced Tom King for the championship. The end was nearing, though, and he was diagnosed with diabetes in addition to his tuberculosis in 1865. He died on November 8, 1865 at age 39, and English bareknuckle prizefighting died with him. His funeral, attended by over 30,000 people, was the last great event tied to the English prize ring.		The fight with Heenan was destined to be Tom Sayers' last hurrah, much as it was to be the last hurrah for British bareknuckle prizefighting in general. He was given three thousand pounds by public subscription on the condition that he never boxed again. Unfortunately, he became seriously ill with tuberculosis in 1863. Despite this setback, he stood in Heenan's corner when his former challenger faced Tom King for the championship. The end was nearing, though, and he was diagnosed with diabetes in addition to his tuberculosis in 1865. He died on November 8, 1865 at age 39, and English bareknuckle prizefighting died with him. His funeral, attended by over 30,000 people, was the last great event tied to the English prize ring.

Dempsey1238 at 17:04, 16 November 2005

2005-11-16T17:04:06Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:04, 16 November 2005
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	Background		'''Background'''

	It is the 17th of April, 1860. Pugilism has long been declining in Britain, with a series of lacklustre champions from Jem Ward to William Perry. It is an era known for fixed fights, bums fighting bums, and growing unpopularity for the what was once considered the Crown Jewel of English sports. But British bareknuckle pugilism is not yet dead--it is ready for one last great, shining moment before the darkness closes in.		It is the 17th of April, 1860. Pugilism has long been declining in Britain, with a series of lacklustre champions from Jem Ward to William Perry. It is an era known for fixed fights, bums fighting bums, and growing unpopularity for the what was once considered the Crown Jewel of English sports. But British bareknuckle pugilism is not yet dead--it is ready for one last great, shining moment before the darkness closes in.
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	Tom Sayers		'''Tom Sayers'''


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	John Camel Heenan		'''John Camel Heenan'''


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	The Fight		'''The Fight'''

	ROUND 1-- Heenan sets himself, preparing to use his dartlike left hand. Sayers, as usual, is light and nimble on his toes--he looks at Heenan with a smile on his face. Heenan tries to use his superior reach to land his left hand on Sayers, but the English champion avoids his punches and returns smartly. When Heenan tries again, Sayers dances out of range. The two now start to feel each other out, feinting carefully and probing for weak spots. Neither man can find his distance well. The two exchange left hands, and Heenan's nose is bloodied. They close, and Heenan tries to grab Sayers' neck and throw him. Sayers hits Heenan on the back of the head repeatedly, and falls.		ROUND 1-- Heenan sets himself, preparing to use his dartlike left hand. Sayers, as usual, is light and nimble on his toes--he looks at Heenan with a smile on his face. Heenan tries to use his superior reach to land his left hand on Sayers, but the English champion avoids his punches and returns smartly. When Heenan tries again, Sayers dances out of range. The two now start to feel each other out, feinting carefully and probing for weak spots. Neither man can find his distance well. The two exchange left hands, and Heenan's nose is bloodied. They close, and Heenan tries to grab Sayers' neck and throw him. Sayers hits Heenan on the back of the head repeatedly, and falls.
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	ROUND 37-- Sayers lands twice on Heenan's eye, and Heenan grabs him by the neck and holds him against the ropes as he did before. Sayers cannot get away, and contents himself with punching Heenan repeatedly on the face. The police have now begun to flood the ring, and it is full of spectators. Five more "rounds" are fought, but these are disorderly affairs and of little consequence. The referee finally put a stop to the fighting at two hours and twenty minutes into the fight. The battle was declared a draw.		ROUND 37-- Sayers lands twice on Heenan's eye, and Heenan grabs him by the neck and holds him against the ropes as he did before. Sayers cannot get away, and contents himself with punching Heenan repeatedly on the face. The police have now begun to flood the ring, and it is full of spectators. Five more "rounds" are fought, but these are disorderly affairs and of little consequence. The referee finally put a stop to the fighting at two hours and twenty minutes into the fight. The battle was declared a draw.

	Aftermath		'''Aftermath'''

	The fight with Heenan was destined to be Tom Sayers' last hurrah, much as it was to be the last hurrah for British bareknuckle prizefighting in general. He was given three thousand pounds by public subscription on the condition that he never boxed again. Unfortunately, he became seriously ill with tuberculosis in 1863. Despite this setback, he stood in Heenan's corner when his former challenger faced Tom King for the championship. The end was nearing, though, and he was diagnosed with diabetes in addition to his tuberculosis in 1865. He died on November 8, 1865 at age 39, and English bareknuckle prizefighting died with him. His funeral, attended by over 30,000 people, was the last great event tied to the English prize ring.		The fight with Heenan was destined to be Tom Sayers' last hurrah, much as it was to be the last hurrah for British bareknuckle prizefighting in general. He was given three thousand pounds by public subscription on the condition that he never boxed again. Unfortunately, he became seriously ill with tuberculosis in 1863. Despite this setback, he stood in Heenan's corner when his former challenger faced Tom King for the championship. The end was nearing, though, and he was diagnosed with diabetes in addition to his tuberculosis in 1865. He died on November 8, 1865 at age 39, and English bareknuckle prizefighting died with him. His funeral, attended by over 30,000 people, was the last great event tied to the English prize ring.

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:53, 16 November 2005
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	It is the 17th of April, 1860. Pugilism has long been declining in Britain, with a series of lacklustre champions from [[Jem Ward]] to [[William Perry]]. It is an era known for fixed fights, bums fighting bums, and growing unpopularity for the what was once considered the Crown Jewel of English sports. But British bareknuckle pugilism is not yet dead--it is ready for one last great, shining moment before the darkness closes in.		It is the 17th of April, 1860. Pugilism has long been declining in Britain, with a series of lacklustre champions from [[Jem Ward]] to [[William Perry]]. It is an era known for fixed fights, bums fighting bums, and growing unpopularity for the what was once considered the Crown Jewel of English sports. But British bareknuckle pugilism is not yet dead--it is ready for one last great, shining moment before the darkness closes in.

	They fight under essentially the same rules that Cribb and Molineaux fought under a half-century earlier. Rounds can be of any length, and are ended with a knockdown. Each fighter is then given thirty seconds to come up to the scratch mark, or lose. The fighting is bareknuckled, and fighters are allowed to use upper-body wrestling to throw their opponents. The fight ends when one fighter quits or is unconscious.		They fight under essentially the same rules that [[Tom Cribb\|Cribb]] and [[Tom Molineaux\|Molineaux]] fought under a half-century earlier. Rounds can be of any length, and are ended with a knockdown. Each fighter is then given thirty seconds to come up to the scratch mark, or lose. The fighting is bareknuckled, and fighters are allowed to use upper-body wrestling to throw their opponents. The fight ends when one fighter quits or is unconscious.

	The champion is [[Tom Sayers]], the last of the great bareknuckle fighters. A brilliant fighter in an uninspiring era, he has singlehandedly cleaned up the heavyweight division in a series of incredible performances. A middleweight himself, Sayers has demolished the lumbering, unskilled fighters who grew up in the wake of the retirement of [[Tom Spring]] decades ago. He has already done enough to rank him higher than any man since boxing's golden age, but his greatest moment is yet to come.		The champion is [[Tom Sayers]], the last of the great bareknuckle fighters. A brilliant fighter in an uninspiring era, he has singlehandedly cleaned up the heavyweight division in a series of incredible performances. A middleweight himself, Sayers has demolished the lumbering, unskilled fighters who grew up in the wake of the retirement of [[Tom Spring]] decades ago. He has already done enough to rank him higher than any man since boxing's golden age, but his greatest moment is yet to come.
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	At 33, Sayers was already aging by the time Heenan arrived in America. He was a middlweight who had managed, by incredible skill, durability, and heart, to slice through an era of poor fighters like a hot knife through butter. He was both the product and the creator of the pugilistic revival that took place in the late 1850's.		At 33, Sayers was already aging by the time Heenan arrived in America. He was a middlweight who had managed, by incredible skill, durability, and heart, to slice through an era of poor fighters like a hot knife through butter. He was both the product and the creator of the pugilistic revival that took place in the late 1850's.

	A few years before the Heenan fight, Sayers had won an elimination tournament to determine the challenger to the 38 year old William Perry, the "Tipton Slasher". Perry, who was never an exceptional heavyweight, had been holding the belt hostage for years--Tom took it from him in only ten rounds.		A few years before the Heenan fight, Sayers had won an elimination tournament to determine the challenger to the 38 year old [[William Perry]], the "Tipton Slasher". Perry, who was never an exceptional heavyweight, had been holding the belt hostage for years--Tom took it from him in only ten rounds.

	Sayers was a skilled, fast, cunning fighter. Although very light at 147 lbs, he was surprisingly durable, and was known for wearing down larger men who had become too tired to hit him. He held his hands low, with one hand protecting his stomach and the other extended forward--essentially the stereotypical 19th century boxing stance. Sayers was known for being very hard to hit, and he possessed decent power for a man of his weight.		Sayers was a skilled, fast, cunning fighter. Although very light at 147 lbs, he was surprisingly durable, and was known for wearing down larger men who had become too tired to hit him. He held his hands low, with one hand protecting his stomach and the other extended forward--essentially the stereotypical 19th century boxing stance. Sayers was known for being very hard to hit, and he possessed decent power for a man of his weight.

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:49, 16 November 2005
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	The meeting of these two incredible fighters was known as the "Fight of the Century", and remains one of the few true classics of the English prize ring.		The meeting of these two incredible fighters was known as the "Fight of the Century", and remains one of the few true classics of the English prize ring.

			[[Category:Bareknuckle Bout Summaries\|Sayers vs. Heenan]]