The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1906-01-14
REVERIES OF A REFEREE
BY GEORGE SILER.

The defeat of Bob Fitzsimmons, I'M
doubtedly the oldest pugilist to engage
in an important battle in this country,
recalls to my mind that old English
fighter, Jem Mace, still in good health
at the ripe old age of "a Mace became
prominent in ring history by chaueng-
ing the winner of the international
Sayers, which took place in England in
April, 1860. and which ended in a
wrangle without a winner being de-
clared. Mace challenged both Savers
and Heenan, but they ignored him. e
Nine years later, or. to be correct, in
September, 1869, Mace came to this
country, claiming the title Of heavy
weight champion of England, and gave
several sparring exhibitions with John
c. Heenan and his cousin, Pooley. Dur
ing the following winter he matched
with Tom Allen for the heavyweight
championship of the world.
Mace then was in his fortieth year,
but was we'll preserved and could have
passed for 80. His exhibitions with
Heenan were the talk Of New York, as
OUtclassed the American in all the de-
partments of the game. In fact. his
knowledge of the fine points Of fight
bout with the "Benicia Boy he was
voted the cleverest boxer in the world.
His fight with Allen was scheduled to
take place in May and on the 10th day
of that month, 1870, they met near New
Orleans to battle for the highest hon
ors in pugilism for So 500 q side All
the men known in the fighting game
gathered at the ringside to witness the
two English gladiators wallop each
other with the raw uns." Maze had
for his seconds Jim Cusick and Jerry
Donovan. the latter q brother to Pro-
lessor Mike Donovan of the New York
Athletic club and President Roosevelt
boxing instructor. Behind Allen was
Joe Coburn and Sherman Thurston,
While John 9, Heenan stood umpire for
Mace and Dad Ryan for Allen, Rufe
Hunt officiated as referee and Al Smith
held the watch.
IT battle was a One-sided affair. as
Mac Outclassed his man at all points
and won easily in ten rounds. The
superiority Of Jem was so clearly mani
fest that after the third round the re-
suit never was in doubt. He left the
ring without a scratch except a slight
abrasion on the forehead and a few
purple spots about the ribs. Allen,
however, was thoroughly whipped.
Mace located in New York after tina
battle, and with Phil Hargrave opened
saloon and restaurant on Twenty
third street, where one night in No
Vember, 1870, he and Joe Coburn had
run in" The scrimmage led to their
being matched, and on May IL, 1871,
they met in ring pitched on Canadian
soil. Mace, as in his fight with Allen,
was esquired by Cusick and Donovan.
and our horseshoe friend Owney Geo
ghegan, and Billy Dwyer looked after
Coburn. Dick Hollywood, then bantam
weight champion Of America. was cho-
sen referee, while Alex. Mason looked
after Coburn's interest and Barney
Aaron acted in a like capacity for
Mace
The fight was a fight in name only.
as they We're in the ring over an hour
without striking a blow. Whenever
Mace would toe the scratch and feint
for an opening Coburn would skedaddIe
back TO his corner, inviting Jem to fol-
low him. The Englishman, however.
was too wary. as the men that sur
rounded Joe's corner had knives and
guns in their hands and murder in
their eyes. Joe was there to win if
he could, but by no means to lose, and.
as Mace thought more of his life than
he did OF the money involved In the
battle, he religiously remained on his
side of the ring Seeing he could not
draw Coburn to the scratch. and CO.
burn seeing he could not induce Mace
TO come into his territory, they killed
time leaning against the ropes rubbing
their bodies.
After fifteen minutes of this sort of
wvck Mace wEzsS<ed to his corner and,
taking up a settle, said: 'I'll drink