JO Sports Inc.
HISTORY: Jem Smith (21 January 1863 – 10 September 1931) was a bare-knuckle prize fighter and Heavyweight Champion of England in the late 19th century and into the early 20th century. In 2010 he was inducted into the Bare Knuckle Boxing Hall of Fame. In 1881 he fought his first bare-knuckle prizefight aged 18 years. In 1889, he won the last internationally recognized bare-knuckle prizefight that was fought in Bruges, Belgium. Smith fought his first heavyweight title fight in 1884 against Woolf Bendoff in the West End of London, England and won by TKO in the 13th round. He fought Jake Kilrain in 1887, in defense of his heavyweight title. The match lasted 2 hours 16 minutes and after 106 rounds the bout was called a draw due to darkness. In 1891 he fought his last BBBC fight against Ted Pritchard in New Cross, also in London, England and lost by a TKO in the 3rd round. Offered here is an original cabinet card of Jem Smith by the notable W. & A.H. Fry of Brighton.
FULL DESCRIPTION: This is an original W. & A.H. Fry cabinet card of Smith in full fight pose as he appeared as the Champion of England. Not creased or torn. Tape remnants on back from mounting. Image has minor fading, but still completely discernible. Minor corner wear. Clean. 4 1/4" x 6 1/2." Rare.
