Description
Henry Pearce was Champion from 1805-1807. Although illiterate, he was brave, good-natured and generous. His most impressive victory was over John Gully at Hailsham in October 1805. A hard fought contest over 64 rounds, it lasted an hour and ten minutes. Lord Althorp, a spectator, remarked that ‘it was worthy of Homer’. Pearce afterwards commented that ‘He owst be a sharp’un and get up early in the morning as beats John Gully’. His career was short as, not long after he had successfully defended the Championship in 1807, his health declined and he died of consumption in 1809.
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