Jem Mace

Jem Mace (April 8, 1831 - November 30, 1910) was an English boxer and the first boxer to be widely recognised as Champion of the World.

Career as a boxer

Mace was born in Beeston, Norfolk. Although nicknamed 'The Gypsy' he denied Romani ethnicity in his autobiography. A middleweight, he succeeded in outboxing heavier opponents thanks to his dancing style, clever defensive tactics and powerful, accurate punching.

After an apprenticeship in the boxing booth of Nat Langham, he made his debut in 1857 and, in 1861, he won the title of Champion of England by defeating Sam Hurst at Medway Island, Kent. He successfully defended it in 1862 against Tom King, but was defeated by King later that year. King then retired. In 1866 Mace was once again recognised as a Champion following his crushing defeat of Joe Goss at Purfleet, Essex.

Bare-knuckle boxing was an outlaw sport and, as such, its exponents were always liable for arrest and prosecution. In 1867 Mace was arrested on the night before his scheduled title defence against Ned O'Baldwin. He was bound over in court not to fight again. In 1869 he relocated to the USA where prizefighting was still flourishing. He toured with the celebrated American boxer John C Heenan giving exhibitions of glove boxing. In 1870 he defeated Tom Allen at Kenner, Louisiana, near New Orleans] in a contest effectively for the Championship of the World. He defended his title twice against another American, Joe Coburn, in 1871. On both occasions Mace secured a draw.

Following an attempt on his life in Mississippi, he returned to England. In 1876, he was back in America, this time as a glove boxer and, in a historic early clash under Queensberry Rules, he defeated Bill Davis at Virginia City, Nevada.From 1877 to 1882 Mace lived in Australia where his long series of exhibitions paved the way for the worldwide acceptance of glove boxing. With the help of his protege, Larry Foley, he schooled a generation of Australian boxers, notably the Caribbean-born Peter Jackson.

In 1882 he toured New Zealand where he discovered future World Heavyweight Champion Bob Fitzsimmons. In 1883 he was back in the USA as manager of the New Zealander Herbert Slade, who, however, failed to benefit from his tuition. In 1890, at the age of fifty-eight, he fought the Birmingham fighter Charlie Mitchell, a man half his age who had fought a draw against the World Champion John L. Sullivan only two years earlier. Mitchell was unable to knock Mace out.

In 1896, returning to New York to fight against Mike Donovan he was acclaimed by World Heavyweight Champion Jim Corbett as "the man to whom we owe the changes that have elevated the sport". Mace continued as a purely exhibition boxer and his last recorded entry into the ring was in 1909 when he was 78 years of age.

Mace was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame.Jem Mace is widely recognised as the' Father of Modern Boxing'.

Life Outside Boxing

Mace was a skilful violinist who originally aspired to a career in music. Indeed it was the trashing of his violin by three thugs in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, and his subsequent beating of them in fistic duels in the street, which led him to enter the prize ring. He was also a notable performer of Grecian Statues routines.

In 1866 Mace became the proprietor of the Strawberry Gardens pleasure grounds at West Derby, near Liverpool. At various times, he was also a professional runner, publican, circus proprietor and racehorse owner. He kept a saloon in New York City for several years and later a hotel in Melbourne.

Mace was married three times, twice bigamously, and fathered at least fourteen children by five women. He is believed to have had an affair with the famous American actress Adah Isaacs Menken.

During his life he made a considerable fortune but, due to his compulsive gambling, it was squandered. He ended his life as a penniless busker in Jarrow Durham and was buried in an unmarked grave at Anfield Cemetery, Liverpool.

In 2002, thanks to the Merseyside Former Boxers Association, a fine memorial headstone was finally placed by his grave.

Jem Mace as a Circus, Theatre and Music Hall performer

A "forgotten" aspect of the career of Jem Mace (and boxers in general during the Mace era) is that he supplemented his income with exhibition work, chiefly in the Circus. In fact, Mace was almost unique among his peer group in that he became a Circus proprietor in his own right (Sayers also briefly indulged). In other words, for a brief period he owned a tent and all the trappings of a travelling show, he employed artists, engaged a band and travelled widely. Obviously, he was the star attraction, but his exhibitions formed only a fraction of what his Circus would have presented.

What follows will probably fill a few gaps for researchers with an interest in Mace. It has been culled from a number of newspapers of the period, importantly "The Era" and "Bell's Life in London". To save time (and avoid boredom) only references have been provided here (there are a number of libraries at which these publications can be studied).

Mace appears to have been fond of Bell's Life. Why? For Mace boxing was not a full time occupation. He was a London publican, who ran a gym above the bar. Reporters from Bell's Life liked recording the goings-on at the pub and Mace was a regular advertiser in the newspaper. This is typical of the advertisements Mace placed in "Bell’s Life in London" during 1861 (this one on April 14th 6/6):

"JEM MACE – Champion of the middle-weights and candidate for the Championship, is at home to vend the good things of this life at his famed hostelrie. His harmonic meetings take place every Wednesday evening, when a grand galaxy of talent appear. The picture and portrait gallery open every day. All sporting papers taken in. Private lessons given by Jem himself at any time in his gymnasium. Public sparring every Saturday and Monday evening, when Mace’s troupe set-to. M.C Jack Brooks. Everything will be found to be first class at the Old King John, Holywell Lane, Shoreditch, one minutes walk from the Eastern Counties Railway."

[The Eastern Counties Railway Company was incorporated in 1836 to build a line from Shoreditch to Yarmouth via Colchester, Ipswich and Norwich]

Circus in the Victorian period was notorious for latching on to "fads" in general society. One such was pugilism in the 1860s. Suddenly, every Circus had to have a boxer for exhibition work. The higher the profile of the boxer, the higher the demand for his services. Jem Mace joined the Howes and Cushing Circus (who already had Tom Sayers travelling with them) almost immediately after beating Sam Hurst to become British Champion in June 1861. Howes & Cushing were a huge American concern that dominated the British Circus scene for the duration of their prolonged stay.

Jem Mace with the Howes & Cushing Circus (1861 season)

With Mace on the bill, "Bell’s Life in London" (June 30 1861 and July 14 1861) records the progress of Howes & Cushing, roughly, as follows:

Monday, July 1st, Southport; Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, July 2nd, 3rd and 4th, West Derby Road, Liverpool; Friday 5th, Birkenhead; Saturday 6th, Chester; Monday 8th, Warrington, Tuesday 9th, Wigan; Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, July 10th, 11th, 12th, and 13th, Manchester. Monday, July 15th, Staleybridge; Tuesday, 16th, Stockport; Wednesday, 17th, Congleton; Thursday 18th, Hanley; Friday 19th, Stafford; Saturday 20th, Wolverhampton; Monday 22d, Wednesbury; Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, 23rd, 24th, and 25th, Redditch, Worcester, Cheltenham, Berkley, and Bristol.

[During all this Mace was billed to appear at the Leeds Royal Park, taking part in one of "a series of grand fetes" organised by the celebrated clown W.F. Wallett. This is mentioned in "The Era" on July 14 1861 (11/4), although no date is given and there is no indication as to whether Mace fulfilled this engagement.]

Bell’s Life went on to report that Mace left Howes & Cushing at Bristol, following his performance on Tuesday, August 6th. For Monday August 5th Howes & Cushing include Blondin in their advertising, who will be appearing at Clifton. For those unfamiliar with Bristol Clifton Gorge is ideal for the high wire, so there are no prizes for guessing what Blondin was doing there. Mace then toured with Pablo Fanque's Circus for over two months at the end of that summer.

Jem Mace with Pablo Fanque's Circus (1861 season)

Jem Mace announces tour with Pablo Fanque’s Circus, to begin on August 25th ("Bell’s Life in London", August 18 1861 7/6).

Jem Mace with Pablo Fanque’s Circus at Hyde, Glossop, Chesterfield and Sheffield ("Bell’s Life in London", September 15 1861 6/5).

Jem Mace with Pablo Fanque’s Circus at Rochdale ("The Era", September 15 1861, 12/2).

Jem Mace with Pablo Fanque’s Circus at Rotherham ("The Era", September 29 1861, 12/2).

Jem Mace with Pablo Fanque’s Circus at Barnsley ("The Era", October 13 1861, 11/2).

Jem Mace with Pablo Fanque’s Circus at Burton-on-Trent ("The Era", October 13 1861 11/2).

Jem Mace with Pablo Fanque’s Circus at Derby ("Bell’s Life in London", October 20 1861 6/5).

Jem Mace and Sayers have a widely reported punch-up in a Liverpool Bar ("Reynolds Newspaper (London)) and others, October 27 1861"

Jem Mace with Ginnett's Circus (1862 season)

The following season, Mace toured with Ginnett's Circus before starting his own show.

Jem Mace billed to appear with Ginnett's Circus at Oxford on April 14th ("Jackson's Oxford Journal", April 12 1862).

Jem Mace with Ginnett's Circus at Portsmouth ("The Era", May 25 1862 12/3).

Jem Mace with Ginnett's Circus at Exeter ("The Era", June 15 1862 12/1).

Jem Mace with his own Circus, etc (1862 & 1863 seasons)

Jem Mace at Royal Park, Woodhouse Moor, Leeds, "matched to run half a mile with Robert Jackson for £20" ("Leeds Mercury, March 3 1862)."

Jem Mace with Tom King "and a number of professional prize fighters, including members of the Preston Fancy" give "an entertainment" in a circus "at the Orchard". Chadwicks's Orchard was a traditional place in Preston where fairs and circuses were held ("Preston Guardian, March 15 1862).

Mace advertises himself (or rather, his manager, Montague, advertises him) as being "open for engagements with first class equestrian companies, or others, to set-to with his big African 'Black Hassan' ("The Era", May 18 1862)."

Jem Mace seems to get bored with this idea and announces his intention of starting his own Circus ("The Era", June 22 1862 front/1).

Jem Mace advertises for musicians, an 'agent in advance', a stud groom and a tent master ("The Era", June 29 1862 front/1).

Jem Mace Circus at Brighton ("The Era", August 17 1862 11/3).

Jem Mace Circus at Amersham ("The Era", August 31 1862 front/4).

Jem Mace Circus at Watford ("The Era", August 31 1862 front/4).

Jem Mace advertises for a gymnast ("The Era", August 31 1862 front/1).

Jem Mace Circus at Ipswich ("Ipswich Journal", September 27 1862).

Jem Mace Circus at Bishop Stortford ("The Era", October 5 1862 11/2).

Jem Mace Circus at Ipswich ("The Era", October 5 1862 11/4).

Jem Mace Circus at Norwich ("The Era", October 12 1862 12/2).

Jem Mace Circus at Diss, Norfolk ("The Era", November 9 1862 front/2).

Jem Mace Circus at Grantham ("The Era", December 21 1862 13/4).

Jem Mace Circus at Nottingham ("The Era", December 21 1862 14/2).

Jem Mace Circus at Rotherham ("The Era", December 21 1862 14/3).

Jem Mace Brass Band advertise, saying they will soon be at liberty and require further engagements ("The Era", December 28 1862 front/1). They give their location as Barnsley (Monday), Wakefield (Tuesday), Bradford (Wednesday).

Jem Mace announces he has “given up tenting until next summer.” ("The Era", December 28th front/1).

Jem Mace Circus at Bradford ("The Era", January 4 1863 11/4).

Jem Mace Circus at Barnsley ("The Era", January 4 1863 12/1).

Jem Mace Circus and Stud up for auction ("The Era", January 11 1863 11/3) at Bradford. This turns out to be either a partial sale, or a sale of excess stock.

Jem Mace Circus at Bradford ("The Era", January 11 1863 12/1).

Jem Mace Great National Circus advertises for “artists in all branches" ("The Era", February 8 1863 front/1).

Jem Mace advertises for musicians ("The Era", February 22 1863 front/3).

Jem Mace asks engaged artists to attend rehearsal at Bradford ("The Era", March 22 1863 front/1).

Jem Mace begins tenting season at Bradford ("The Era", March 29 1863 11/3).

Jem Mace Circus at Carlisle ("Carlisle Journal" May 12 1863).

Jem Mace Circus at Sunderland ("The Era", May 31 1863 6/2).

Jem Mace Circus at Middlesboro ("The Era", June 7 1863 12/2).

Jem Mace Circus at Hartlepool ("The Era", June 14 1863 11/4).

Jem Mace Circus at Middlesboro ("The Era", June 14 1863 12/1).

Jem Mace Circus at Scarborough ("The Era", June 14 1863 12/4).

Jem Mace Circus at York ("The Era", June 21 1863 12/1).

Jem Mace Circus at Dudley ("The Era", June 26 1863 11/3).

Jem Mace Circus at Dudley ("The Era", August 2 1863 11/4).

Jem Mace Circus at Swansea ("The Era", August 30 1863 12/3).

Jem Mace Circus at Nottingham Goose Fair ("The Era", October 4 1863 12/2).

Jem Mace announces “establishment will be sold by auction on Thursday October 22nd, at Manchester.” ("The Era", October 11 1863 front/1).

Jem Mace Circus at Swinton ("The Era", October 18 1863 12/3).

Jem Mace ends his time as Circus proprietor but continues in showbiz (1864 season and beyond)

The auction mentioned above seems to have ended Mace's time as a Circus proprietor. However, he continued to appear in Circus shows during this period, although exhibition work now comes to the fore. The following may be of interest. "Fistic tournaments" were essentially exhibition bouts:

Jem Mace and Tom King at Myers' American, Circus Crosshall Street/Dale Street, Liverpool. January 27th - 30th 1864 ("Liverpool Mercury", January 25th, 26th, 28th and 30th, 1864).

Jem Mace and Tom King re-engaged with Myers ("Liverpool Mercury", February 15th, 16th and 17th 1864).

Jem Mace engaged for "grand fistic tournament this afternoon and evening at Hogini's Circus, Victoria Street (Belfast)". ("Belfast Newsletter", February 27, 1864).

Jem Mace appears in another fistic tournament at "the Great Clyde Street Bazaaar (Glasgow)". The tournament features Joe Goss, Nat Langham, Jerry Noon, "Wolf, Mace's Big Black", Young Wormald and Ned Donelly ("Glasgow Herald", March 4 1864 - and continued through March 5th, 7th, 8th, 9th).

Jem Mace moves his fistic tournament to Edinburgh ("Caledonian Mercury", March 14 1864).

Jem Mace with Myers' Circus, Liverpool, now matched with "Joe Coburn, Champion of America for £1,000" ("Liverpool Mercury", April 15 1864).

Jem Mace at Moon Field, Stokes-Croft, Bristol ("Bristol Mercury", May 7 1864). Purpose at this location unclear, although exhibition work along the lines of above is very likely.

Jem Mace advertises as being “open for engagements” again for "one month only" ("The Era", July 17 1864 front/1).

Jem Mace at the Alhambra Circus, Portland Street, Manchester ("The Era", January 15 1865, 13/3) for a "set to" with Patsy Reardon.

Jem Mace at Theatre Royal, Bolton ("The Era", April 2 1865, 12/1) for “fistic tournament.”

Jem Mace at Theatre Royal, Blackburn ("The Era", April 16 1865, 12/1) for “fistic tournament.”

Jem Mace at Theatre Royal, Bolton ("The Era", April 16 1865, 12/1) for “fistic tournament.” Separate report from above.

Jem Mace advertises as being able to "accept engagements" ("The Era", November 13 1864).

Jem Mace as part of a "Grand Assault at Arms" at the Liverpool Gymnasium ("Liverpool Mercury", March 19th and 23rd 1866).

Jem Mace turns to stone (1867 & 1868)

Jem Mace takes a benefit at the Royal Victoria Theatre, London ("The Era", August 11 1867). For what is unclear.

Jem Mace with Barrington's Circus, Commercial Road, Peckham ("The Era", December 15 1867, 15/4). "Jem Mace, Champion of England, will appear and delineate the Roman and Grecian statues, with lime-light effects, for six nights, commencing on Wednesday December 18th"... This kind of 'entertainment' can be traced back to Ducrow in the 1820s.

Jem Mace with Franconi's Circus at the London Hall, Manchester ("The Era", January 12 1868, 14/1)

Jem Mace advertises himself in "The Era", again January 12 1868 - this time 15/1. He describes himself as the "retired champion of England" and states he is now performing a "wonderful representation of the Roman and Grecian statues". He's obviously looking for work and gives his address as a hotel in Manchester.

Jem Mace advertises himself as above, again in "The Era". This time it's February 2 1868, 12/4. He is now with the Great Allied Circus, at Nottingham. The Great Allied was owned by Messrs. Powell, Footit and Clarke.

Jem Mace advertises himself in "The Era" (October 4 1868) as "the retired Champion of the World" and states "after a most successful tour during the summer season through Ireland" he is looking for work. Address: Monstre Japanese Circus, Dublin. He also advertises from the same place on October 16th (16/4), again "The Era".

Jem Mace appearing with the Japanese Circus in Dublin. "The Era", October 11 1868, 12/1.

Jem Mace was also noted as having been a partner in the Bourne and Mace Circus in Ireland, c.1867.

Thinking of America and getting there (1868/9 & 1870)

In 1869/70 Mace and John C. Heenan toured America giving sparring exhibitions, but what was Mace doing in the months before his departure? What follows will shed some light on this.

Before 1868 ended Mace placed a sequence of additional advertisements in "The Era", describing himself again as the "retired champion of the world" providing "classical entertainments of ancient and modern statuary".

In his (long) advert of November 8 1868 (16/4) Mace states that he has "concluded a most successful tour of six months through Ireland at the Rotundo Rooms, Dublin, on October 27th and has commenced a tour of England, previous to his departure for America." He goes on to state that he has been re-engaged at the Canterbury Music Hall, Hull (November 2nd), the New Adelphi Music Hall, Liverpool (November 16th) and the Pavilion Concert Hall (aka Pavilion Music Hall), Sheffield (Nov 30th for 12 nights). In all of these places he will perform a "new drama" written specially for him.

He places two adverts on the same page on November 8th, but the other adverts in the sequence are much the same. New dates are talked about as follows: Marylebone Music Hall, London (November 25th), the Oriental at Poplar (November 25th - a change perhaps?), Wear, Sunderland (December 21st) and Southminster, Edinburgh (January 4 1869). Southminster is a Music Hall.

Mention is also made on November 8th of Jem Mace appearing at the Canterbury Music Hall, Hull.

On November 15 1868 he advertises his appearances at the Adelphi Theatre (Liverpool), London's Marylebone Music Hall (November 25th) and the Pavilion Music Hall (Sheffield), on November 30th.

On November 22 1868 he advertises his forthcoming appearance at the Oriental Theatre, High Street, Poplar. ("The Era").

On December 6 1868 (16/4) Mace states that on the 18th January he will return to London for an indefinite period "arrangements having been made to appear at the South London Music Hall and the Marylebone Music Hall."

On December 20 1868 he advertises his next three venues: New East London Theatre, Victoria Theatre and the South London Music Hall.

On December 27 1868 he is reported at the Wear Music Hall, Sunderland.

Mace advertises again in "The Era" on January 3 1869 (proclaiming his "immense success" at the Wear Music Hall, Sunderland saying he will be at the Southminster Music Hall (Edinburgh) on January 4th, for 12 nights and will be returning to the South London Music Hall on January 18th.

On January 17 1869 Mace places a huge advertisement in "The Era" (15/4)that provides detailed testimonials of his performances at the Southminster Music Hall, Edinburgh. All wax lyrical about the "peak of his physical condition", etc.

On January 24 1869 Mace is reported at the South London Music Hall.

On January 31 1869 (16/2) Mace places the first of a number of adverts in "The Era" saying he will only be performing at the South London Music Hall because of his "indisposition". Presumably he cancelled his engagement at the Marylebone Music Hall for some reason.

On February 7 1869 Mace is reported at the South London Music Hall.

On 14th February 1869 (16/3) Mace advertises (in "The Era") his appearance at the Whitebait Music Hall, Glasgow - for six nights - starting on February 15th.

On May 16 1869 (16/3) Mace advertises in "The Era", saying he "will be in town for Derby week" when he will "be happy to negotiate for star engagements to give his celebrated Statuesque Illustrations". He goes on to mention that his present engagement is at the Theatre Royal, Dumfries and from "Monday 17th, Pullan's Concert Hall, Bradford" for six nights. The address provided this time is: "Old King's Head, Cumberland Street, Goodge Street, Tottenham Court Road". This is a different pub to the one in which we found him in earlier, so to speak. This same advertisement is repeated in The Era on Mayt 23rd (front/4).

Jem Mace at Pullan's Music Hall, Bradford ("The Era", May 23 1869 12/1). A report.

On June 6 1869 ("The Era", front/2) Mace advertises himself as being on the road. He talks about his "great success at Paul's Concert Hall, Leicester" and his forthcoming appearances at Brown's Concert Hall, Portsmouth (on June 7th) and Gordon's Concert Hall, Southampton (on June 28th). He also admits having "six nights to spare from June 21st". No address provided this time for some reason.

On June 13 1869 ("The Era", 16/4) Mace advertises his performance at Gordon's Music Hall, Southampton, on June 28th, "for six nights".

On June 20 1869 ("The Era", front/2) Mace advertises again, saying he "will finish at Brown's Music Hall, Portsmouth on June 19th and proceed to the Alexandra Theatre, Aldershot, on June 21st". He re-states his intention of appearing in Southampton, but says he will be "at liberty" on July 5th.

And finally, he does set sail (1869/1870)

A report in "The Era" on August 22 1869 (13/1) talks about Jem Mace at the Victoria Music Hall, Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Among other things it says: "On Friday a large audience assembled at this hall when Mr. Jim Mace took a benefit, and in addition to the usual programme, Mr. James Renforth (aquatic champion), Mr. Jamieson (wrestling champion), and Mr. Walker (swimming master) were announced to be present. Mr. Mace concluded his engagement on Tuesday, and is about to proceed to America."

On September 15 1869 Mace arrived in New York, having sailed from Liverpool on the 'City of Antwerp'.

Jem Mace at the Tammany Music Hall, New York - performing in his "Assault at Arms" exhibition ("The Era", October 24th).

On January 17, 1870, in New York, he signed to fight Thomas Allen, on May 10, 1870. This contest for the "world championship".

Various

According to David Frith in "The Fast Men" at an unspecified date (probably before 1871) Jem Mace was watching cricket at Lords when a ball hit a crack in the pitch and took out 3 of wicket keeper Ted Pooley's teeth. He dressed Pooley's wounds and declared "I would rather stand up against any man in England for an hour than take your place behind the wicket for five minutes. I heard that ball strike you as if it had hit a brick wall."

ee also

*List of bare-knuckle boxers

External links

* [http://www.milobooks.com/ 'Master of the Ring' by Graham Gordon]
* [http://www.jemmace.net/ New Book on Jem Mace. Preview]
* [http://www.jemmace.com/ Jem Mace, Champion of the World]
* [http://www.cyberboxingzone.com/boxing/mace-j.htm Biography of Jem Mace]
* [http://www.ibhof.com/mace.htm Jem Mace the Gypsy]
* [http://archive.thenorthernecho.co.uk/2004/8/24/41330.html Swansong for Jem of a boxer]
* [http://boxing.ru/enciclopaedia/letters/m/index.shtml Short bio of Jem Mace] (in Russian)