In 1831 the Tennis Courts were converted to an Amphitheatre for Cooke’s Equestrian Circus. In c1851 it became the Argyll Rooms then the Trocadero Music Hall (1882) & after the creation of Shaftesbury Ave (1886) it became a restaurant. Now it’s the Picturehouse Central cinema.

The (Royal) Tennis Courts were constructed in (Great) Windmill St, Haymarket during 1744 by John Cartwright who occupied them until 1761. After a renovation in 1819-20 they could be hired for exhibitions and entertainments like Sparring Benefits, Circus and Theatre.

George Head trained dozens of contemporary pugilists including Ned Painter, Tom Spring (Champion), Joe Parish & Jack Martin. It’s also likely that Harry Holt had early instruction from Head while his (Harry’s) father was incarcerated with George in the Fleet Prison (1811-1814).

Charles Dickens was Court Reporter at the Old Bailey for John Fairburn’s ‘Chapbook’ when the ‘Italian Boy’ case was heard. It partly resulted in the Anatomy Act 1832 allowing for bodies to be given to Anatomy & Medical Schools for dissection putting Bodysnatchers out of work.

After Drew died in 1825, Billy was bought by Charley Aistrop the owner of Westminster Pit. When Billy retired (1828) Tom Cribb cared for him at his Pub the Union Arms in Haymarket until Billy died in 1829. The Rat Killing Dog was then stuffed & displayed at Westminster Pit

‘It was a much better fight than has been seen when boxers have been in training for 6 wks…It was a most gallant battle on both sides; but the blows of Holt were not hard enough to stop (Scroggins). The accident Holt received in the 24th, perhaps, lost him the fight.’ Pierce Egan(1821)

The Holt & Scoggins fight went 33rnds & ~40min but in the 24th Scroggins ‘bore Holt into a corner’ & as they fell Holt’s head connected heavily with the window-sill almost knocking him out. Holt was ‘altered’ but continued for 9 more rounds until he could no longer stand giving the win to Scroggins.