The greatest of the county matches, and one of the greatest prize fights of all times, took place on Pitchcroft on January 7, 1824: when Tom Spring and Paddy Langon fought for the championship of England.
Spring, a native of Warwick, was the reigning champion, and had been challenged by Paddy Langon, the 'Irish Champion'. Langon, aged 25, had made a tour of Lancashire, and his skill and courage had won him many backers. Warwickshire badly wanted to stage the fight, offering 150 guineas aside, but Warwickshire easily outbid its neighbour, and of more inportance; Worcestershire magistrates were ready to ignore the law.
