Pugilistica: The History of British Boxing, Volume 2 (of 3): Containing Lives of the Most Celebrated Pugilists; Full Reports of Their Battles from Contemporary Newspapers, With Authentic Portraits, Personal Anecdotes, and Sketches of the Principal Patrons of the Prize Ring, Forming a Complete History of the Ring from Fig and Broughton, 1719-1740, to the Last Championship Battle Between King and Heenan, in December 1863

"Pugilistica: The History of British Boxing, Volume 2" by Henry Downes Miles is a historical account written during the late 19th century. This volume chronicles the lives and exploits of notable British boxers, along with detailed reports of their fights, providing insights into the sport's evolution from its early days to the mid-1800s. With authentic portraits and personal anecdotes, it aims to paint a comprehensive picture of the boxing scene in Britain, focusing on both champions and significant matches. At the start of this volume, the author aims to captivate readers with a narrative about Thomas Spring, a prominent boxer of the era. The opening portion introduces Spring's entry into professional boxing, detailing his initial fights, including a key match against Stringer that showcases Spring's technical prowess, agility, and bravery in the ring. The text also touches upon the social context surrounding boxing, setting the stage for future bouts and rivalries. Miles provides an engaging blend of detailed match commentary and laborious descriptions of fights, suggesting that the ensuing chapters will delve deeper into the sport's history through the lens of its most celebrated pugilists. (This is an automatically generated summary.)