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| A typical 19th-century boxing match, often held in warehouses, courtyards of inns, or in open fields away from the eyes of local authorities. This painting was by boxer Jim Byrne's friend Jem Ward, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Ward_painting.jpg |
The following blow-by-blow description of a boxing match at Baulkham Hills, near Parramatta, was taken from 'The Australian' and gives us an insight into the popularity of boxing in Colonial Sydney and the colourful language of the times. Jack Kable came to the attention of the press after beating Bill Clark in five rounds in a boxing match on Parramatta Road on 20 February 1824 and later he beat Joe Dargin at the Windsor Racecourse in 11 rounds.
"TURN-UP FOR ONE HUNDRED POUNDS A SIDE —BETWEEN KABLE AND GLEW .
"Black spirits and white, Red spirits
and grey, Mingle, mingle, mingle, Mingle while you may."
News of this long since anticipated
,"turn-up" being chalked down as a "dead certainty" for
Monday morning last, spread like wild fire in a drouthy summer, and set the
Sydney "kiddies" on their pivots all Saturday and Sunday. Every
"gymnastified" amateur, each gentle and simple flat and knowing
"un" that could muster a "prad," a "shay," or a
"heavy drag," might be seen and heard, " like claps of
thunder," rattling their "tits" along the streets and off along
the Parramatta-road from peep o'day on Sunday, and for 3 or 4, and more than 20
hours after: and many a " cove " that would not, or could, not raise
the wind, toddled it on " shanks mare," with, or without a
"pal" to while away the journey.
