Slasher, managed by Johnny Broome, challenged Freeman, but may have believed the hype surrounding the big American and fought cautiously. But then, most people probably would be cautious when fighting not just the biggest man they had fought, but the biggest man they had ever seen! Here is an extract from issue 13...
“Slasher Faces Yankee Colossus
The fight came off not far from Bishop’s Stortford on the 6th of December, 1842, but it was nearly four o’clock before the ring was pitched, owing to the vigilance of the police. There was a general buzz of mingled admiration and amazement as Freeman stepped into the arena. No such man had ever been seen in the Prize Ring. He was splendidly trained, and did not weigh more than 17st. 4lb – all solid bone, brawn and muscle. His immense chest, his huge muscular limbs, all told of gigantic strength, whilst the lightness and ease with which he moved showed that he was active as he was powerful. The Slasher looked a mere shrimp beside him, and yet William Perry stood 6ft. 1 in and scaled 13st 4lb. But think of the disparity – nine inches in height and four stone in weight! ... Slasher was from his hips to his shoulders very muscular and powerfully built with great girth of chest and width of shoulder-blade.
The Big Uns give a poor show
It was a most disappointing fight. Seventy rounds were got through in 84 minutes, and the damage done was ludicrously small. The Slasher’s game was to give away his head, put in heavy body blow, and drop. He never attempted to stop the blows showered on his head, and confined himself to attempts to disable Freeman by body blows from his left, and round hits with his right. But the giant generally dropped his arm in time to catch the heavy cracks; his fore and upper arm were black and blue, but there was hardly a mark on his body. When the Slasher closed and tried to throw his man, Freeman lifted him off the ground as if he had been a child, and threw him as he pleased.
At last it got so dark that the referee could not see what was going on in the ring, and ordered the men to cease fighting.”
After this draw, Slasher and Freeman fought each other again that year. Freeman’s weight had risen to almost 19st. The fight got off to a good start. After 39 minutes, Slasher had damage to his ear and the stakes were awarded to Freeman. Freeman never fought again as, according to the paper, ‘The fact was he did not care for the role of bruiser.’
Here’s how the paper presented portraits of the Tipton Slasher and Charles Freeman.
