THE BOXING NEWS Historic newspapers and articles. Some of the greatest boxing events.

www.boxinggyms.com

EVENING STANDARD THURSDAY, JUNE 23, 1938

THE GREAT CONTEST BETWEEN SAYERS AND HEENAN

This Fight was Debated in the Commons By CLAUD GOLDING

MR. HADFIELD gave notice that he would call the atten- tion of the government to a "meditated breach of the peace by a pugilistic contest to take place between an American citizen and a British subject for a so-called championship."  The newspapers, added Mr. Had- field, had actually given notice of the time and place!  Therefore, he asked the Home Secre- tary "whether he intended to take measures to put down such intended dis- turbance of the public peace and prevent an exhibition so contrary to the religious sense of the country at large - (laughter) - and whether the public might rely on his doing his best to prevent so brutal and demoralizing an exhibition to the rising generation as the announced contest between this American gladiator and _"  The remainder of Mr. Hadfield's question was drowned in the roar of laughter. That he finished, however, is shown by the reply of Sir George Cornewall Lewis, Home Secretary:  "The contest between these redoubt- able champions -(loud laughter)- has been brought under my notice, and I have transmitted the letter to Sir Richard Mayne, who, I have no doubt, will take the necessary steps to prevent a breach of the peace within the Metropolitan district.  "Beyond this I cannot assure my honorable friend; I cannot venture to give any positive promise; for if he is informed of the time and place I am not, and I don't think they are fixed. It is, therefore, impossible for me to say whether the police will succeed in preventing the incursion in question."- Renewed laughter.  The unfamiliar names given here may be perplexing. This is not surprising, for this debate took place in the House of Commons on April 13, 1860.  The fight under discussion was the classic encounter between Tom Sayers, champion of England, and John C. Heenan, the American champion, which took place on April 17, four days afterwards.  No wonder, there was amusement in the House, for fully three-quarters of the mem- bers were to be present at the fight them- selves.  Leaving the House of Commons for the present, it is interesting to recall what a sensation the fight caused on both sides of the Atlantic.  When the newspapers announced the date and venue of the match there was a rush for tickets. All the well-known pugilists, most of whom kept public houses, were besieged.  Strict instructions were given that specta- tors should be ready at the London Bridge Station at 4 a.m., at which time the train would start for "somewhere."  There was a bustling scene at London Bridge an hour before the departure of the train. In some respects it resembled a Derby Day crush, though it was still dark.  The South-Eastern Railway had made arrangements down to the last detail. Fans who had come from the provinces and had been unable to obtain tickets beforehand were provided with them by the company.  Two long trains were ready. The first with 33 coaches was full at half-past three. It left at twenty minutes past four. The second train with about 30 coaches departed from the London Bridge soon afterwards.  As the trains passed on the journey, the fans were amused to see, on each side of the railway, armed policemen, both mounted and on foot.  This array of "force" extended for 15 miles. but the promoters of the fight had no intention of stopping anywhere in the London police district.  Great preparations, however, had been made to stop the "mill," both on the Dover and Brighton lines. This, too, proved an unnecessary exhibition of caution, for when the trains reached Reigate they turned off on the Guildford line, and arrived in the neighborhood of Aldershot. Here they halted, and one of the organizers known as the "pilot" got down from the train and made inquiries as to the possibility of hold- ing the fight thereabouts.  At length it was decided to go on to Farnborough, and that station was reached at seven o'clock.  Scores of Americans who had come down with the fans approved the decision, for the spot chosen was in a meadow on the borders of Hampshire and Surrey, and within half a mile of Fran- borough, where the utmost peace seemed to prevail.  About 1500 people had packed into the two trains. There were officers of the Army and Navy; the majority of the members of Parliament, justices of the peace, and even many parsons. There were as many American journalists as British.  The story of this great fight has often been told. the newspaper reports filled columns.  It was in the 37th round when the unexpected happened. The two fighters were exhausted. The rattle of bare knuckles on the face and body could barely be heard for neither fighter was able to put in an effective blow.  Suddenly the "blues" appeared on the scene and stopped the fight, by cutting the ropes. There was nothing to do but to return to London with the fight undecided.  The contest had started at twenty-four minutes past seven, and the interruption came at a quarter to ten. Heenan at the time was fast becoming blind and was hugging Sayers on the ropes.  At Farnborough station, Heenan was lifted into his coach. At Bricklayers' Arms Station, London, he was invited to shake hands with Sayers, but was unable to do so.  For 48 hours, he lay in a darkened room.  The Americans were naturally annoyed at the stopping of the fight. Had it gone on, they would probably have been even more so.  Nevertheless, it ended more or less happily, for the two champions agreed that two belts should be made, and one presented to each.  To return to the House of Commons.  "Commons: More fun about the fight," said Punch.  Lord Lovaine, afterwards the Earl of Beverly, opened fire a few days after the encounter. He wanted to know whether action could be taken against the South- Eastern Railway for "their conduct in offering facilities for the conveyance of persons to these illegal contests."  He moved for copies of correspondence on the subject which had passed between the Company and the Government." Had the Government attempted to enforce the law? Had anything been done to stop the practice of letting trains for prizefights?  Lord Palmerston replied: "I will not argue the technical legal question that a fight between two men- not a fight of enmity, but a trail of strength- is legally a breach of the peace, and an act that renders the parties liable to prosecution; nor whether the persons who go to witness it are technically involved in the charge...  "Some people look upon it as an exhibi- tion of manly courage, characteristic of the people of this country... This is, of coarse, a matter of opinion, but I do not see why any number of persons, say 1000 if you please, who assemble to witness a prize fight, are more guilty of a breach of the peace than an equal number of persons who assemble to witness a balloon ascent." (Laughter.)  Lord Palmerston was followed by Colonel Dickson, who admitted that he had never seen a prizefight in his life. "But," he added, "I would say that the two men who fought on the recent occasion showed qualities of which the whole Eng- lish race had reason to be proud."  He ended his speech with the remark that the two fighters deserved all praise. "Many men in this country received honors who did not deserve them."  While the Home Secretary, under pressure, was admitting that prizefights were illegal, Lord Palmerston left the House and walked into the Lobby. There he found a sporting M.P. collecting a purse for Sayers.  "My lord, I want a sovereign for Tom Sayers," said the M.P. collector.  "He's a splendid fellow," said Palmer- ston, "I will give you five."