# The Exit of Battling Billson explained — Ukridge Stories

> Chapter companion for Ukridge Stories by P. G. Wodehouse.

## What happens

Ukridge's plan for a boxing match with Battling Billson falls apart when Billson, after attending a revival meeting, declares fighting sinful and refuses to fight. Ukridge decides to substitute himself in the ring under Billson's name, with a fixed outcome arranged by Izzy Previn. Meanwhile, the narrator encounters Ukridge in Llunindnno, where Ukridge has been thrown out of a theatre after his seat was taken. The chapter ends with Ukridge pointing out a poster for the upcoming fight.

## Themes in this chapter

### Deception and Manipulation

Ukridge plans to fight under Billson's name with a fixed outcome, deceiving the audience and manipulating the fight's result.

### The Absurdity of Modern Life

The chaotic sequence of events—Billson's sudden religious conversion, Ukridge's substitution, and his ejection from the theatre—highlights the absurdity of Ukridge's schemes.

## Character check-ins

### Stanley Featherstonehaugh Ukridge

Ukridge substitutes himself for Battling Billson in the fight after Billson refuses due to religious conversion; he is also thrown out of a theatre in Llunindnno.

### Corky

The narrator, who is in Llunindnno to cover a revivalist meeting, encounters Ukridge and learns about the fight situation.

### Battling Billson

Billson refuses to fight after attending a revival meeting, declaring fighting sinful, leading Ukridge to substitute himself.

### Mr. Thomas

Lloyd Thomas, the opponent in the fight, who knocks Ukridge down and later attacks Billson when Billson tries to stop the fight.

### Izzy Previn

Arranges the gentleman's agreement for the fixed fight between Ukridge (as Billson) and Thomas.

## Key lines

> Fightin’ ain’t right!

Billson declares that fighting is morally wrong.

_Billson's conversion leads him to denounce the fight._

> We’re putting on a substitute.

Ukridge announces that a replacement fighter will be used.

_Ukridge decides to fight in Billson's place._

> They chucked me out!

Ukridge was forcibly removed from the theatre.

_Ukridge is ejected from the theatre after a dispute over his seat._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/ukridge_stories_se/chapters/the-exit-of-battling-billson
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/ukridge_stories_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/ukridge_stories_se/chapters