In the world of boxing, the biggest fights nowadays typically take place in Las Vegas, New York or other high profile locales. With this in mind, it’s hard to imagine that an anticipated matchup between two boxing legends took place in a remote location such as Long Point.  

In the mid-1800s, bare-knuckle boxing was prevalent. There were few rules, and matches could go on for hours. There were no time limits; a round lasted until one of the fighters slipped or fell. Boxing gloves were made mandatory in 1867, and bare-knuckle boxing became illegal in much of the United Kingdom and the United States.  

However, many still continued the sport. One of the biggest names was Jem Mace, an English fighter who was at one point recognized as heavyweight champion. Mace eventually made his way to the United States, where he fought for a few more years before retiring   Joe Coburn was also a former heavyweight champion who was in need of opponents. A match between the two, with both the World and Americas championships on the line, was  scheduled for May 1871.  

The problem was that there was nowhere to stage the fight, since bare-knuckled boxing was illegal. It was decided that the fight would be in Canada, near Niagara. However, Canadian officials said that any fight held would be broken up.  

In the early hours of May 11, 1871, ships left Buffalo and Erie, bound for Long Point, bringing thousands of spectators with them. A local farmer, Daniel Woolley, was paid for the use of his land.  

J.H. Cutting, who was 17 at the time, witnessed the fight and recounted his story to the Norfolk Historical Society in 1910.  

“The [fighters] and their families went up to Daniel Woolley’s house and stayed there while the ring was being prepared. This was in a meadow near the shore on the west side of the Woolley Lane, just west of the mouth of Hay Creek where it empties into the lake.”  

Cutting recalled that those with tickets were given ringside seats, while local farmers brought wagons so those near the back could stand on them to see the fight, and charged a “stiff price for the privilege.”  

Just before noon, Mace and Coburn shook hands and what was thought would be a fight for the ages began. An hour later, the first round was still in progress and neither fighter had landed a solid blow.  

“The Mace-Coburn match was a classic example of how the prevailing format could be abused so that a fight became little more than a stalling match,” wrote George A. Gipe in an article for Sports Illustrated in November 1976.   “The problem was that Coburn wanted to box against the ropes in his corner while Mace preferred to mix it up at the center of the ring. Neither would give in.”  

Cutting noted that the two fighters were “putting in a pretty pleasant time and nobody was getting hurt, that is inside the ring. Outside there were those who were being touched for their pocketbooks and watches, but who cares for a few dollars or a gold watch when there is a prize fight on.”  

Although Cutting decided to watch the fight, his father had different ideas. “On sighting the boats in the morning, he had not ran down the shore to see the fight, but had gone to the telegraph office and wired Mr. John Williamson of Simcoe…. I was enjoying myself quite well when the effect of this news began to show itself on the scene of action. There was a murmur in the multitude that ‘the soldiers [were] coming’.”  

By 2 o’clock, Judge William Mercer Wilson, some police and 50 troops from the 39th Regiment had arrived. The soldiers surrounded the crowd as the judge and Sheriff Edmond Deeds entered the ring and ordered the fighters to “desist at once.”  

The Sheriff then read the attendees the riot act: “Our Sovereign Lady the Queen chargeth and commandeth all persons being assembled immediately to disperse themselves, and peaceably to depart to their habitations or to their lawful business, upon the pains contained in the Act respecting Riots and Riotous Assemblies. – God Save the Queen.”  

Gipe wrote that, “Perhaps stupefied by the apathetic bout, the spectators did not even bother to panic and run as Wilson read his official pronouncement.”   Although some guns were raised, the crowd dispersed as all bets were called off.   Mace and Coburn met for a rematch later that year in Mississippi, although the fight was no better than the first. Just like their Long Point bout, this was ruled a draw.  

Mace continued fighting, compiling a record of 25 wins, 5 losses and 5 draws. His last recorded fight was an exhibition match up in 1909 at the age of 78. He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame and is regarded by some as the “father of modern boxing.”   Coburn also continued boxing, although his career was marred by several arrests. He continued boxing until his death in 1890.  

Although the fight has long since been forgotten, it doesn’t change the fact that for a brief period, Long Point was at the center of the boxing Universe.