Exeter Flying Post, Ashburton wrestling: Cann vs Thorn (1825)

A grand wrestling match took place at Ashburton on the 18th and 19th. A man named THORN of Widecombe-in-the Moor, possessed immense strength and who had distinguished himself in the Life Guards at Waterloo, had been put into training by some gentlemen at Ashburton, for the purpose of pitting him against the champion, Abraham CANN. They met in the double play and THORN, who is nearly 6ft in height and large limbed, towered like a giant over his competitor, who is scarcely 5ft 8ins, but the countenance of CANN was unaltered as he viewed his opponent.