Morning Post, Cann vs Gaffney at the Golden Eagle (1827)

WRESTLING. The wrestling match between Cann the celebrated Devonshire wrestler, and Gaffney, called the champion of Ireland, took place on Monday at the Golden Eagle, in the Mile-end-road. The match was for 60 guineas on the part of Cann to 50 on that of Gaffney, the first three fair back falls to decide it. The concourse of spectators was great; the roofs of the long line of boxes or sheds were filled with spectators; and about two hundred, who could get no better accommodation, climbed the poplars to witness the contest.

At four, Cann threw his hat into the ring. Gaffney kicked very much at the shins of Cann, but they exhibited no signs of punishment, though the sound resounded through the ring; whilst, after Cann had inflicted a few retorts upon the shins of Gaffney, his worsted stockings were sopped with blood, and his laced shoe of the left foot seemed saturated like that of a slaughterer from the shambles.

After a close contest of four minutes and fifty seconds, Cann gave his adversary a fair back fall. This was a beautiful throw, given in the best possible style. After a short interval the men again shook hands and set to, but in one minute and forty seconds Cann caught his man on the shift, and threw him a fair back fall in beautiful style. In the next struggle, Gaffney was obliged to give in, his left shoulder being dislocated.