Joe Goss
Encyclopedia
Joe Goss was born on 5 November 1838 in Northampton, England. Although he rarely scaled more than 160 pounds, the clever and aggressive Goss routinely fought men both bigger and heavier than himself.
At the age of twenty, Goss began his career with a 90-minute victory over George Hares. Goss would not lose a contest until Hall of Famer Jem Mace
defeated him in 19 rounds (1 hour and 55 minutes) in London
on 1 September 1863. Goss would unsuccessfully challenge his nemesis Mace on two other occasions, including an 1866 championship contest.
In 1876 Goss would claim the world's heavyweight title after defeating Tom Allen
on a foul in 21 rounds. Goss met Paddy Ryan
on 30 May 1880 in Coillier's Station, West Virginia. Goss was unable to continue and the contest was stopped after ninety minutes in the 87th round of the championship bout. Goss engaged in a series of exhibition bouts with John L. Sullivan
before retiring in 1882 and was in Sullivan's corner when Sullivan won the title from Paddy Ryan. He died on 24 March 1885 in Boston, Massachusetts, in the U.S.
By the time Joe Goss arrived in America he was already thirty-eight years of age, but he was travelling in good company, having been brought over by Jem Mace and under contract to the Howe and Cushing circus. Goss had not entered the prize ring in nearly eight years. Goss' entire career to this point consisted of ten contests, of which he lost two and drew in two others. But, Joe Goss was a likeable sort, and he had Jem Mace's endorsement; so off to America he had gone in pursuit of Tom Allen. This may have been the longest pursuit in ring history, Goss and Allen having fought some nine years previous, thirty-five rounds to a draw.
Goss arrived on 15 April 1876 and spent the Spring and Summer travelling the country with the circus. Goss sparred much of the time with a well-known wrestler, Professor William Miller, on occasion he also sparred with Johnny Dwyer. Goss was appearing in a benefit at the Grand Opera House in Cincinnati the 3rd of September, four days and nine years later Tom Allen and Joe Goss were to come together to do battle for the Championship of America.
In 2003, Joe Goss was admitted to the International Boxing Hall of Fame in the Pioneer category.
At the age of twenty, Goss began his career with a 90-minute victory over George Hares. Goss would not lose a contest until Hall of Famer Jem Mace
Jem Mace
Jem Mace was an English boxing champion. He was born at Beeston, Norfolk. Although nicknamed "The Gypsy", he denied Romani ethnicity in his autobiography...
defeated him in 19 rounds (1 hour and 55 minutes) in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
on 1 September 1863. Goss would unsuccessfully challenge his nemesis Mace on two other occasions, including an 1866 championship contest.
In 1876 Goss would claim the world's heavyweight title after defeating Tom Allen
Tom Allen (boxer)
Tom Allen was a boxing champion who claimed the Heavyweight Championship from 1873, when he defeated Mike McCoole, until 1876, when he lost to Joe Goss.-External links:*...
on a foul in 21 rounds. Goss met Paddy Ryan
Paddy Ryan
Paddy Ryan was an Irish American boxer, and became his sport's world's heavyweight champion from May 30, 1880 when he won the title from Joe Goss until losing his title to John L. Sullivan on February 7, 1882....
on 30 May 1880 in Coillier's Station, West Virginia. Goss was unable to continue and the contest was stopped after ninety minutes in the 87th round of the championship bout. Goss engaged in a series of exhibition bouts with John L. Sullivan
John L. Sullivan
John Lawrence Sullivan , also known as the Boston Strong Boy, was recognized as the first heavyweight champion of gloved boxing from February 7, 1881 to 1892, and is generally recognized as the last heavyweight champion of bare-knuckle boxing under the London Prize Ring rules...
before retiring in 1882 and was in Sullivan's corner when Sullivan won the title from Paddy Ryan. He died on 24 March 1885 in Boston, Massachusetts, in the U.S.
By the time Joe Goss arrived in America he was already thirty-eight years of age, but he was travelling in good company, having been brought over by Jem Mace and under contract to the Howe and Cushing circus. Goss had not entered the prize ring in nearly eight years. Goss' entire career to this point consisted of ten contests, of which he lost two and drew in two others. But, Joe Goss was a likeable sort, and he had Jem Mace's endorsement; so off to America he had gone in pursuit of Tom Allen. This may have been the longest pursuit in ring history, Goss and Allen having fought some nine years previous, thirty-five rounds to a draw.
Goss arrived on 15 April 1876 and spent the Spring and Summer travelling the country with the circus. Goss sparred much of the time with a well-known wrestler, Professor William Miller, on occasion he also sparred with Johnny Dwyer. Goss was appearing in a benefit at the Grand Opera House in Cincinnati the 3rd of September, four days and nine years later Tom Allen and Joe Goss were to come together to do battle for the Championship of America.
In 2003, Joe Goss was admitted to the International Boxing Hall of Fame in the Pioneer category.