Jem Mace
| Jem Mace | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Statistics | |
| Real name | James Mace |
| Nickname(s) | The Gypsy |
| Rated at | Middleweight |
| Height | 176 cm (5 ft 9.3 in) |
| Nationality | British |
| Born |
8 April 1831 Beeston, Norfolk, England |
| Died | 30 November 1910 (aged 79) Jarrow, County Durham, England |
| Boxing record | |
| Total fights | 37* (3 No Decisions) |
| Wins | 25* |
| Wins by KO | N/A |
| Losses | 5 |
| Draws | 5 |
James "Jem" Mace (8 April 1831 – 30 November 1910) was an English boxing champion. He was born at 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. Mace has a commemorative plaque in the center of Norwich.
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 defeat of Joe Goss at Purfleet, Essex.
Bare-knuckle boxing was an outlawed 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 United States 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. He defended his title twice against another American, Joe Coburn, in 1871. On both occasions Mace secured a draw. However, on 6 April 1871, Mace suffered a loss in New Orleans to Gentleman Jose Alonso.
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 protégé, Larry Foley, he schooled a generation of Australian boxers, notably the Caribbean-born Peter Jackson.
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