Tom Sayers: Difference between revisions

The bout with Heenan was Sayers' last prizefight. However, he made one last appearance in the prizefighting ring, when on 10 December 1863, he was one of Heenan's seconds, when the American returned to England to fight the then champion, [[Thomas King (boxer)|Tom King]]. Heenan had been trained for the fight by his countryman, Jack MacDonald with the assistance of Hennan's brother, James.<ref name="Bell's Life in London and Sporting Chronicle 30 January 1864">{{cite news |title=The training of John Camel Heenan |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000355/18640130/057/0007 |accessdate=17 June 2019 |work=Bell's Life in London and Sporting Chronicle |agency=The British Newspaper Archive |date=30 January 1864|page=7|url-access=subscription}}</ref> According to his own account, MacDonald only found out that Sayers would appear as his assistant on the morning of the fight, having been told that James Heenan would be fulfilling that role.<ref name="Bell's Life in London and Sporting Chronicle 30 January 1864"/> Sayers' appearance was explained as conforming to the "etiquette of the profession". It was also speculated that Heenan's party may have hoped that Sayers' prestige, would "scatter dismay in the ranks of King's followers".<ref name="Pugilistica Tom Sayers"/> However, it was clear from his appearance at the fight that Sayers was unwell and he was unable to assist Heenan during the fight, which Heenan lost. Sayers had bet heavily on Heenan, losing hundreds of pounds on the fighter's loss. In January 1864, legal proceedings were initiated against the fighters, seconds and other prominent participants in the prizefight.<ref name="Falkirk Herald 14 January 1864">{{cite news |title=The late prizefight |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000466/18640114/105/0007 |accessdate=17 June 2019 |work=Falkirk Herald |via=The British Newspaper Archive |date=14 January 1864|page=7|url-access=subscription}}</ref> The proceedings concluded in April with the chief participants having to lodge £100 surety with the court in case of further court action.<ref name="Hampshire Chronicle 9 April 1864">{{cite news |title=The later prize fight |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000231/18640409/081/0009 |accessdate=17 June 2019 |work=Hampshire Chronicle |via=The British Newspaper Archive |date=9 April 1864|page=9|url-access=subscription}}</ref>