Famous Fights

Herbert Slade [Maori Boxer]

1880-90

Woodcut illustration, titled below the image with fighter’s details, ‘Herbert Slade, the Maori, Jem Mace’s Big’Un’ and above ‘Presented Gratis with the No.35 of Famous Fights in the Prize Ring’.

330 by 250mm (13 by 9¾ inches), original sheet backed with tissue to strengthen.

The Maori pugilist. (Jem Mace’s Big’Un) 1851-1913. New Zealand boxer who fought John L Sullivan for the heavyweight championship of the world in 1883 at Madison Square Garden. Sullivan won in the third round. Although Slade lost the fight, he is credited by the press to having knocked Sullivan down in a bar fight. Considered New Zealand's first international sports personality. Former champion boxer Jem Mace was Slade's discoverer and exhibition partner. Slade later went on an exhibition tour across the United States with Sullivan.

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