Egan, Olver vs Finney at Eagle Tavern (1828)

Early in the month of October, 1828, a wrestling-match took place at the grounds of the Eagle Tavern in the City Road, between Olver and Finney, the former a noted wrestler from Cornwall, who has floored all who opposed him since his arrival in London, and the latter an Irishman. Finney accidentally, but fairly, threw Abraham Cann at Leeds, and having supposed himself to have had the best of Olver in a trial of skill at the wrestling-rooms, he challenged him for twenty sovereigns a-side.

Olver did not appear to be in good condition, and seemed to lack that confident superiority with which he used formerly to enter the ring. For forty minutes the play was of the most uninteresting and tedious description. Finney accused Olver of having extra padding under his stockings; the articles were called for and read, and two pieces of padding were withdrawn from Olver’s stockings. Olver finally succeeded in giving Finney the first fall; he shortly after received another, which ended the match in favor of Olver. A match between Avery, the journeyman baker, and a young Cornishman, wound up the sports of the afternoon, and afforded more gratification to the spectators than the principal one.

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