The Longest Boxing Match Ever: 110 Rounds!

The sport of boxing has witnessed many remarkable moments, but few compare to the epic encounter between Jack Burke and Andy Bowen on April 6, 1893, in New Orleans, Louisiana. What made this fight stand out was not only the display of endurance by both men but the sheer length of the contest, which has become legendary in the annals of sports history. The match lasted an incredible 110 rounds—an unprecedented and unrepeatable feat that marked it as the longest boxing match ever fought.

Background: Jack Burke and Andy Bowen

At the time, Andy Bowen was a well-known local fighter from New Orleans, enjoying a successful career in the lightweight division. Bowen had established himself as a fan favorite with his spirited fighting style and determination. His opponent, Jack Burke, known as “The Texas Cyclone,” was a skilled pugilist from Galveston, Texas, who also had a reputation for toughness and grit.

Both men entered the fight with high stakes, eager to claim victory in a sport that, during the late 19th century, was still in its developmental stages but already immensely popular. Fights were often held with minimal rules, and combatants faced brutal conditions without modern-day regulations or protective gear.

The Fight

The Burke-Bowen match was held under London Prize Ring Rules, which allowed for bare-knuckle fighting and emphasized strength, stamina, and resilience. The match was initially scheduled for a finish fight, meaning it would continue until one of the boxers could no longer fight or was knocked out. However, no one could have anticipated the marathon that would ensue.

From the opening bell, both men demonstrated fierce determination. The early rounds were competitive, with neither fighter able to gain a significant edge over the other. As the rounds wore on, the fight turned into a battle of attrition, with both fighters gradually succumbing to exhaustion.

By the time the fight reached round 50, the fatigue was palpable. The fighters, barely able to stand, resorted to leaning on one another for support between exchanges. The referee, the audience, and even the fighters themselves were astonished by the unyielding display of endurance. There were no knockdowns, and the rounds became increasingly slow and lackluster, as both men had exhausted their physical capabilities.

The Unthinkable: 110 Rounds

The fight continued deep into the night and eventually into the next morning. After 110 rounds, which amounted to more than seven hours of continuous combat, the referee finally declared the fight a no-contest, as neither man could continue. The official decision, though unsatisfying, was the only practical outcome, as the boxers were on the verge of collapse and unable to produce a conclusive result.

Aftermath and Legacy

Both men suffered tremendous physical consequences from the match. Burke, in particular, broke his hands during the fight and was never able to fully recover from the injuries. The toll on Bowen was similarly severe, although he continued to box after this grueling encounter. Tragically, Bowen died in his next fight, a fatal injury sustained during a match with George “Kid” Lavigne in 1894.

The Burke-Bowen fight has since become an indelible part of boxing folklore, symbolizing both the toughness and, to some extent, the brutality of early boxing. The match remains the longest recorded fight in the history of boxing, an achievement that will likely never be surpassed due to modern regulations, which now cap fights at a maximum of 12 rounds.

This extraordinary bout also contributed to changes in boxing rules. The rise of the Marquess of Queensberry Rules, which established three-minute rounds with one-minute rest periods and emphasized safety measures, began to take hold shortly after this era. These rules have since shaped the sport into the more regulated and spectator-friendly version we know today.

Final Thoughts

The 110-round battle between Jack Burke and Andy Bowen is a story of endurance, willpower, and the extremes of human physical capacity. Both men pushed themselves beyond the limits of exhaustion, fighting not just for victory but to outlast the other in a display of unmatched resilience. While the fight ended in a no-contest, its place in history remains undisputed. Over a century later, the Burke vs. Bowen fight stands as a unique moment in boxing history—an epic testament to the sport’s roots and the remarkable individuals who helped shape it.