Islington, England: Mendoza, revered former Champion of England, had his countrymen on his side but that was not nearly enough against Big Ben Bryan. The two met in the second heavyweight World Title eliminator bout called for by the Royal Explorers Club; Gentleman John Jackson having taken the first in August.
Mendoza looked game but it was appartent from the go that the thirty one year old had lost more than a single step in the ring. Bryan jabbed relentlessly through the early going keeping Mendoza at bay. Lacking speed of foot and head, Mendoza was left no choice but to push through his opponent's advances. He was able to bloody Bryan's nose in the fourth and even managed to force him to a knee in the fifth but Mendoza paid a bitter price in doing so. With the ex champion's right eye nearly closed by the seventh the right showing signs of distress, the end was near and certain. Mendoza was dropped by blows to the head in the tenth and eleventh rounds and twice more in the twelfth. Following the second fall, Mendoza attempted to rise but remained on one knee through the full count perhaps deciding that the better part of valour was discretion (although a comparison to the cowardly Falstaff hardly seems apt).
Despite the loss, the long-reigning English champion received a hero's hurrah from the crowd as he left on his own feet. Mendoza announced later in the day through his backer Sir Thomas Apreece that it was his intention to retire from the prize ring immediately. So, the stage has been set for the world title match to be held next year. Big Ben Bryan will face the English Champion Gentleman John and the fancy will be left to wonder what might have been as all hope for a Mendoza - Jackson meeting has been forever lost.
