Egan, Olver vs Saunders at Eagle Tavern (1829)

In February, 1829, a Wrestling Match between OLVER and SAUNDERS, both Cornishmen, at the Eagle Tavern, in the City Road, which excited considerable interest amongst the supporters of the above Old English Sport.

Olver and Saunders entered the ring, to contend for the first two fair back falls out of three, for thirty sovereigns. It was agreed that they should play with their shoes on, and without padding, and a violent kicking-bout was expected. After five foils, and a fine display of science, which occupied nearly half an hour, Saunders succeeded in throwing Olver a fine fall. On setting-to again, Olver showed symptoms of great weakness—he tottered like a child; but his mode of playing was greatly admired. After fifteen minutes’ play, however, he succeeded in throwing Saunders. On the return of Olver, he seized Saunders by the middle, and, by a desperate effort, turned his heels up in the air, and threw him with great violence a fine fall, amidst the enthusiastic acclamations of the spectators, many of whom declared they had never seen a finer fall.

Source: Egan, P. (1836). Pierce Egan’s Book of Sports. T. Tegg, London.