He wasn't soft either, but looked as hard as granite.

I was only just from hospital and absurdly out of training.
He would certainly kill me if he could, and I saw nothing to prevent him.
My only chance was to keep him from getting to grips, for he could have squeezed in my ribs in two seconds.

I fancied I was lighter on my legs than him, and I had a good eye.

Black Monty at Kimberley had taught me to fight a bit, but there is no art on earth which can prevent a big man in a narrow space from sooner or later cornering a lesser one.
That was the danger.
Backwards and forwards we padded on the soft carpet.

He had no notion of guarding himself, and I got in a good few blows.
Then I saw a queer thing.