Herbert Slade
Encyclopedia
Herbert Slade also known as "Māori" Slade, was a New Zealand
boxer
of Irish
and Māori descent, who fought John L Sullivan for the heavyweight championship of the world. This occurred at Madison Square Garden
, New York, on 6 August 1883. Sullivan won. Slade may be considered as New Zealand’s first international sports personality.
Given the issues of race in America at the time it was most unusual for a native person to be allowed to fight for the championship. Indeed it was the first such match in America.
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
boxer
Boxing
Boxing, also called pugilism, is a combat sport in which two people fight each other using their fists. Boxing is supervised by a referee over a series of between one to three minute intervals called rounds...
of Irish
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
and Māori descent, who fought John L Sullivan for the heavyweight championship of the world. This occurred at Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden, often abbreviated as MSG and known colloquially as The Garden, is a multi-purpose indoor arena in the New York City borough of Manhattan and located at 8th Avenue, between 31st and 33rd Streets, situated on top of Pennsylvania Station.Opened on February 11, 1968, it is the...
, New York, on 6 August 1883. Sullivan won. Slade may be considered as New Zealand’s first international sports personality.
Given the issues of race in America at the time it was most unusual for a native person to be allowed to fight for the championship. Indeed it was the first such match in America.