7th April 2010

The Great Prize Fight

Saturday April 17th 2010 sees the 150th anniversary of the great prize fight, between Tom Sayers and John Heenan, which took place along the banks of the River Blackwater not far from The Ship Inn and Farnborough North Station.

To mark the occasion local resident Eric Marsh, has been busy contacting various people and as a result of his efforts there will be a very special event on that day.

On Saturday 17th April Iain Manson, author of  The Lion and the Eagle, a book about the fight, will be at Farnborough Library from 11.30am to sign copies  of his book (copies will be on sale)  and he will also talk informally about the fight.

At around 1pm, weather permitting, Iain will accompany a walk to what is believed to be the site of the fight.

A Short Story About the Fight 

The 1860 bare knuckle fight between Tom Sayers and John Heenan is considered to be the first world championship fight. The two fighters were very different, Tom Sayers the pride of England,  stood 5"8 and weighed little more than 11 stone and yet generally fought and defeated bigger men.  His opponent was a hard hitting American called John Heenan , said to be 6’ 2” tall and weighed 14 stone.

On April 17th 1860 an estimated crowd of 12,000, including Charles Dickens and William Thackeray, came to Farnborough, which had been especially selected as the venue for the fight as it was located close to the Hampshire /Surrey border; the theory was that if the Hampshire police arrived to stop the fight the contestants and spectators could cross the river into Surrey and the fight could continue. Some 64 railways coaches were laid on to bring the spectators from London.

The fight started at 7am and London prize ring rules followed. This allowed for some wrestling moves and no time limits on a round.  A round could only end when one or both combatants went to the ground, a 30-second time period would then be allowed for recovery, the fighters then returning to scratch, (scratch being a line drawn in the centre of the ring).

The fight lasted 2 hours and 20 minutes, with Heenan apparently seeming to have the upper hand. By the 37th round Sayers had broken his arm and Heenan appeared to have the upper hand. Heenan had Sayers’ neck on the ring rope but someone in the partisan crowd cut the ropes and the crowd invaded the ring.  The referee abandoned the fight but it continued for a further five rounds before a draw was declared. Both men were given silver championship belts .

END

For further information contact:
Christine Reeves, Visitor Promotions Officer on 01252 331353.
Blackwater Valley Countryside Partnership, Ash Lock Cottage, Government Road,  Aldershot GU11 2PS.  www.blackwater-valley.org.uk