Andy Bowen was a lightweight boxer who made history in 1893 by fighting the longest boxing match ever recorded. He and his opponent, Jack Burke, battled for 110 rounds over seven hours and 19 minutes, until the referee declared a no contest. Bowen never knew that he had achieved this feat, as he died a year later in another fight, after hitting his head on the wooden canvas.
Who was Andy Bowen?
Andy Bowen was born on May 3, 1867, in New Orleans, Louisiana. He started boxing in 1887 and was undefeated in his first 14 fights, with 12 wins and two draws. He was the Southern Lightweight Champion and defended his title successfully against Jimmy Carroll in 1890 at the Olympic Club in New Orleans. This was the same club where James J. Corbett would defeat John L. Sullivan for the World Heavyweight Championship two years later.
The Longest Fight
On April 6, 1893, Bowen and Jack Burke fought the longest fight in history at the Olympic Club. Bowen had originally scheduled the fight with another opponent, but he dropped out and Burke, who was his trainer, stepped in. The fight was scheduled for 50 rounds, but neither man could knock out the other. The fight went on for so long that the spectators who stayed to watch the fight had fallen asleep in their seats, according to Wikipedia.
Both fighters were exhausted and injured. Burke broke all the bones in both of his hands and was bedridden for six weeks. Bowen was also badly bruised and swollen. At round 108, the referee, John Duffy, decided that if no winner emerged in the next two rounds, he would declare a no contest. With both men too dazed and tired to come out of their corners, Duffy ended the match in a draw. Both fighters received $250 for their efforts, but neither was satisfied with the outcome.
The Last Fight
Bowen fought four more times after the longest fight, but his career was on the decline. His last fight was against Kid Lavigne, a rising star who would later become the World Lightweight Champion. The fight took place on December 14, 1894, at the Southern Athletic Club in New Orleans. It was a brutal and bloody affair, with both fighters landing heavy blows. In the 18th round, Lavigne knocked Bowen down with a right hook and Bowen hit his head on the wooden canvas. He never regained consciousness and died at 7:00 am the next morning, aged 27.
Lavigne was arrested for Bowen’s death, but was cleared of any wrongdoing after a coroner’s inquest. Bowen’s death was listed as from hitting his head on the ring floor, according to Wikipedia. Lavigne was deeply affected by the tragedy and reportedly cried when he learned of Bowen’s death. He later said that he would never fight in New Orleans again.
The Legacy of Andy Bowen
Andy Bowen was one of the pioneers of boxing in the late 19th century. He was known for his courage, endurance, and skill. He participated in the longest fight in history, which is still a record today. He also died in the ring, becoming one of the first victims of the sport’s dangers. His story is a reminder of the glory and the tragedy of boxing, and the sacrifices that the fighters make for their passion.
