The New York herald., 1922-12-10
FIGHTERS FIDDLED
FOR THREE HOURS
One Round Lasted Sixty-two
Minutes Without an
Effective Blow.
DARKNESS FORCED DRAW
Mace, Intimidated by Coburn's
Followers, Feared to Do His
Best In Ring.
by CHARLES F. MArHIsoN.

BY CHARLES r. MATHISON.
If the roll was called Of eyewitnesses
of the bare knuckle battle between
Jem Mace, champion Of England. and
Joe Coburn, champion Of America, at
Bay st. Louis, near New Orleans. No
vember 80. 1870, how many would be
qualified to answer Here?
There may still be in the land of
the living a number Of persons who
saw that notable contest. Yet the only
man In this vicinity who not only was
at the battle ground. but built the ring
in which the combatants struggled, Is
William Muldoon, chairman of the
New York State Athletic Commission.
Mr. Muldoon at that time was a Wig
orous youngster with ambitions to be-
come great boxer or wrestler, and
any one curious as to the present age
of the chairman should sharpen
pencil.
Setting up a boxing ring in the Lon
don rules period was not so complicated
task as putting In place modern
ring, but It was a decidedly hazardous
undertaking. The ring builder Of bare
knuckle days was compelled to cart ring
rope, stakes, sledges and other para
phernalia long distances by rail or boat
On arrival at the chosen spot the stakes
might be driven, the ropes attached and
everything be in readiness for the fray.
Suddenly the authorities would appear
and the ring would have to be yanked up
and taken to some safer location. Null
doom did all the work attendant on put
ting the ring in place solely with the
object of witnessing the contest. On this
occasion he saw most Disappointing
affair. There is hardly doubt that had
Mace and Coburn boxed such bout
under the Walker law both would have
been suspended. at least
Three Hours to . Draw.
Twelve rounds were contested under
London rules" said Muldoon, "the men
being in the ring three hours and forty
eight minutes. One Of the rounds Il
think 1t was the third lasted one hour
and two minutes. neither man landing
blow. They finally clinched. went to the
ground in dog fall. and thus ended one
of the longest rounds In the history of
the ring. A cold rain fell during the
battle, and both men were chilled. The
referee called the bout draw.
1T seemed to me that Mace could
have settled Coburn in easy fashion had
he not been intimidated by Coburn's
followers, who were a desperate lot.
The slogan Of bare knuckle fighters was
Win, tie or wrangle.' and II one OF the
first two conditions was not achieved
somebody usually got hurt. I do not
doubt there would have been battle
royal had Mace put forth his best ef-
forts that day and beaten Coburn. Mace
drew first blood in the fourth round and
was we'll in the lead. but thereafter he
relaxed his efforts and killed time till 1t
was too dark to fight any longer.
"Coburn and Mace were matched four
times. The first engagement was set
for October 4, 1864, at Pierstown.
County Tipperary, Ireland. Coburn re-
ported on time, but Mace failed to ap-
pear and Coburn received $500 forfeit
and returned to America.
Each Refused to Lead.
Mace later came to the United States
and he and Coburn met in the ring
near Port Ryerson. Canada, May II.
1870. They did nothing except meet. Not
blow was struck In one hour and
seventeen minutes. each refusing to
lead. Fortunately the Canadian military
authorities arrived and put an end to
the farce. Tho referee of the bout in
Canada was Dick Hollywood. and he
ordered the men to meet near Kansas
City on June 2. 1870. Mace was on the
ground at the appointed time, but Co
burn was not. Mace, however, was not
so fortunate as Coburn regarding for
felt money. Harry Hill, stakeholder,
refused to give Mace the 500 posted by
Coburn. despite the fact that Referee
Hollywood declared that Mace was en-
titled to the stakes.
THE bout at Bay st. Louis was Co
burns last battle in the ring. Ie died
December 8. 1890
"Mace was one of the most rama yl<
able boxers In history. In clevernes a.
he was the equal of Young Griffo. The
Engllshman had practically the same
style as Griffo. seldom blocking or par
rylng blow with his arm. His defense
consisted OF ducking, slipping and side
stepping. at which he was wonderfully
clever. Mace was taken up by the lead
ing sporting set OF New York and was
one OF the first pugilists to dine at the
exclusive Union League Club.
The British champion boxed MT
Niblo's Garden while in this city. and
made a strong impression on the fol.
lowers OF pugilism. On his last visit 70
America, long after he had retired from
the ring, he boxed q three round ex-
hibition bout with Mike Donovan at the
Broadway A. c. Mace was past his
prime athleticaliy. but still showed
~ Al