 On 21 September 1826, at the Eagle Tavern in City Road, London, he contended without shoes for the first prize with James Warren of Redruth (who was conspicuous for his bravery at the time of the loss of the Kent, Indiaman, in 1825), and although the latter made a gallant struggle, Cann was declared the victor.He had long been known as the champion of Devonshire when he challenged James Polkinghorne, the champion of Cornwall.Polkinghorne was 6 feet, 2 inches tall, weighed 320 lbs, and had not wrestled for some years, being the landlord of the Red Lion inn at Saint Columb Major.