 Aaron was known as a "John Bull" or rushing boxer with good hitting strength but he was outweighed a full stone or 12 pounds by Curtis.Though Aaron stood to profit from the £100 purse, Curtis was a threatening opponent, and though slightly shorter, he was an accomplished boxer, two years younger, and had easily defeated the skilled and larger Peter Warren in a previous contest.London's "Observer" wrote of Curtis that "His power of hitting...for his size is considered greater than any man in the ring".