It's 725 on April 17, 1860, in a field in Hampshire in southern England.

Tom Sayers steps under the ropes of a boxing ring and throws his arms up into the air.

The huge crowd surrounding the ring roars its approval.

Tom is 34 years old and the most famous boxer in Britain.

Today, he wants to prove he's the best fighter in the entire world.

His challenger is the American John Heenan.

John's welcome to the ring is less enthusiastic,

but Tom knows that no crowd, however supportive, can win the bout for him. The boxer must do the hard part himself. Today's bout is a prize fight, an illegal boxing match with few rules.

In recent years, enough men have died in such contests for London's metropolitan

police to crack down on them, and that's why this fight is being held in the countryside

well outside the capital. John Heenan has brought a small team across the Atlantic with him,

just his coach and his cornerman. They stand ready with a bucket of cold water to treat the

inevitable cuts and bruises

that are to come. Tom has a much larger contingent in his corner, including bizarrely a grown

man dressed as a bird. As the British and American boxers get to their feet, this bird man

runs between them, clapping his makeshift wings and squawking at the crowd.

The crowd is thrilled, hooting and hollering, until the birdman's strange performance comes to an end, and he finally leaves the ring.

It's time for more serious business.

With a broad smile, Tom steps forward with his hand outstretched.

The two men shake and exchange a few warm words,

then they return to their respective corners,

ready to start the fight of the century.

...