Herbert Slade

Who was Herbert Slade?

Herbert Augustus 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 in the third round. Slade may be considered New Zealand’s first international sports personality, and has been inducted into the Māori Sports Hall of Fame.

Slade was born in Kaeo, New Zealand in 1851.

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 featuring a non-white contender.

Slade later went on an exhibition tour with Sullivan and settled in the United States. He died in Utah in 1913.