Whilst 1848 passed Tamba- Tamba by without any disruption of the status quo, The Year of Revolution did witness a remarkable sporting event in Cocktown.
Under other circumstances this might have been considered the Heavy Weight Championship of the English Prize Ring.
Amongst the dozen or so immigrants to Tamba- Tamba from Brougham Sleight's Dorsetshire estates was one Ezra Makepeace. Based in Bristol, he had been a favourite of the fancy, but retired from the ring following a fatal riot at one of his bouts at Landsdowne fair.
Thomas 'Sailor' Mowlam had fought a number of high profile bouts in his youth, when he was a bargeman on the Thames. Since joining the Merchant Navy his boxing activities had been limited. He arrived at Cocktown aboard the clipper Shirley- Maria.
Governor Sir Brougham Sleight was a keen sportsman, and he and his gentlemen friends at the garrison had been toying with the idea of arranging a prizefight for some time. Captain Preston Wilkins of the Royal Marines was an aficionado of pugilism, and when he recognised Mowlam at the quays he couldn't wait to tell the Governor.
Governor Sleight and Capt. Wilkins considered several challengers , but Makepeace was the only realistic option.
Governor Sleight and Capt. Wilkins considered several challengers , but Makepeace was the only realistic option.
Governor Sleight coaxed Makepeace out of retirement with the promise of a watch and a fowling piece if he took part in the bout.
The officers of the Shirley- Maria, HMS Hardy (which was docked in Cocktown at the time) and the garrison raised a purse of 50 gns.
The bout was fought at The Quays under London Prize Ring Rules. Captain Wilkins and Mr Stannard, the First Mate of the Shirley- Maria, acted as umpires.
Makepeace- 28 years old. Five feet eleven inches, 183 lbs.
The officers of the Shirley- Maria, HMS Hardy (which was docked in Cocktown at the time) and the garrison raised a purse of 50 gns.
The bout was fought at The Quays under London Prize Ring Rules. Captain Wilkins and Mr Stannard, the First Mate of the Shirley- Maria, acted as umpires.
Makepeace- 28 years old. Five feet eleven inches, 183 lbs.
Mowlam- 30 years old. Six feet. 190 lbs.
The battle got off to a slow start, with neither man landing any really punishing blows and hardly any falls. It became evident though, that Makepeace was in better shape, and once he had hurt Mowlam a couple of times the Sailor seemed to lose heart. After 20 minutes Mowlam was struggling for his wind and stayed down after taking a fierce blow to his belly.
The crowd were roused by the fine performance of both pugilists, who were carried shoulder high to The Customs House.
The bout had proved a popular attraction, and a minor wave of boximania took hold. A series of bouts featuring sailors, marines and boys was arranged, but Makepeace could not be induced to return to the prize ring and as the quality was not up to that provided by him and Mowlam, interest soon waned.
The battle got off to a slow start, with neither man landing any really punishing blows and hardly any falls. It became evident though, that Makepeace was in better shape, and once he had hurt Mowlam a couple of times the Sailor seemed to lose heart. After 20 minutes Mowlam was struggling for his wind and stayed down after taking a fierce blow to his belly.
The crowd were roused by the fine performance of both pugilists, who were carried shoulder high to The Customs House.
The bout had proved a popular attraction, and a minor wave of boximania took hold. A series of bouts featuring sailors, marines and boys was arranged, but Makepeace could not be induced to return to the prize ring and as the quality was not up to that provided by him and Mowlam, interest soon waned.
No comments:
Post a Comment