Career
Swift was much the lighter man, at no more than nine stone (57 kg. 130 lb) in weight, with "not an ounce of superfluous flesh on his ribs". The odds on both fighters changed many times, and each was "within an ace of losing".
The fight lasted 113 rounds, two hours and fifteen minutes, and Lazarus was "dreadfully punished", and it was his last ever fight.
The fight took place at Melbourne Heath, Essex, in front of a crowd of about 3,000. Phelps — who had already killed a man — became the third man Swift killed.
Bets were taken that neither man would survive for long after the fight. Swift was very badly beaten, making his eventual recovery doubtful.
After the coroner"s inquest, Swift was tried and found guilty of manslaughter, as were three of the organisers.
In 1839, The Annual Register described the fight as "one of the most savage "pieces of sport" that has disgraced the country for several years". This event led to the rules of boxing being rewritten. The London Prize Ring Rules were introduced by the Pugilists"s Protective Association and replaced Broughton"s rules of 1743.
There were 29 rules, built on Broughton"s rules, but with more depth and detail.
These rules more clearly defined the range of fouls and introduced certain safety measures. Swift"s last two fights were both with Jack Adams, on 5 June and 5 September 1838, both in France.
Afterwards, Swift became a tavern owner, running the Horse Shoe in Tichborne Street (now Glasshouse Street), Soho, London. In 1840, Swift published The Hand-book to Boxing, which was a defence of the sport, a history of boxing, a guide for spectators, and advice on how to train and fight.
Swift died in 1879.
He is buried at Kensal Green Cemetery. Another professional boxer active in 1931–1932, Forest Hall, also used the name Owen Swift.
