Epilogue

The Times

September 16, 1819

NEW PURSUITS FOR THE FORMER TITLE-HOLDER

W e have previously reported that Bruno Jervis defeated Donovan McLaren in seven rounds on Friday night, reclaiming the heavyweight crown the two of them have battled over since it was vacated by long-time champion Tom Talbot in January of this year.

We were able to speak with Mr. Talbot, who was on hand to witness the bout, along with his new wife. When asked if he had any regrets about his retirement from boxing, Mr. Talbot replied with his signature droll humor. “Absolutely none. It will come as a shock, but it’s not exactly a lark getting smashed in the face by either of these blokes.”

Since his retirement, Mr. Talbot has gone into the business of beekeeping. “Mrs. Talbot is the one who introduced me to it,” he explained. “She’s the brains of the operation. I just do the heavy lifting.”

Mrs. Talbot immediately objected, solemnly explaining that her husband was, “indispensable.” The couple, who are expecting their first child, appeared to be extremely happy in their union.

Mr. Talbot and his wife brought samples of their honey, Stinger’s Signature, to the bout, and both of Talbot’s former rivals shared their opinions about the product.

While Mr. McLaren’s exact words are not suitable for publication, suffice it to say, he found the honey, “delicious” and noted that he was glad indeed that Mr. Talbot, “got into the business of making honey and out of the business of punching me in my… kidneys.”

Mr. Jervis was even more effusive, especially when the time came to try the Talbots’ special blackberry honey, a small-batch product in which the bees are fed blackberry juice, resulting in a purple honey. “I think that’s the best thing I’ve ever tasted,” Mr. Jervis said. He promptly tried to buy five jars.

“Five jars?” Mr. Talbot replied in shock. “This is from our luxury line. Do you know how much it costs? Now, see here, Jervis. I’m going to give you your five jars. But it’s important at your age that you learn to stick to a budget.” Here, the interview concluded, as Mr. Talbot took young Mr. Jervis off into the corner, where they spent the next half-hour in deep conversation about the state of Mr. Jervis’s personal finances.

All varieties of Stinger’s Signature Honey are available at Fortnum & Mason, and this reporter can confirm that they are, indeed, delicious.

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