The Longest Boxing Match in History: 110 Rounds
In the history of boxing, there are matches that excite, matches that surprise, and then there are matches that are hard to believe. On April 6, 1893, at the Olympic Club in New Orleans, two fighters, Andy Bowen and Jack Burke, entered the ring for what would turn out to be the longest gloved boxing match ever documented. Seven hours and nineteen minutes later, after 110 exhausting rounds, neither fighter had their hand raised in victory. The match was ruled a no contest, but its story was already carved into the history of the sport.
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The Boxers : Andy Bowen and Jack Burke
Andy Bowen (The Southern Stalwart)
Andy Bowen held the title of Lightweight Champion in the South and was well known for his toughness. He could endure numerous punches without quitting, and he always appeared to have energy. While he wasn’t the flashiest or most stylish boxer, he was the type of fighter who could persist until his opponent was unable to continue.
Jack Burke(The Texan Challenger)
At the last moment, Jack Burke took over for Andy Bowen’s original opponent. Although he didn’t have much time to prepare, he was agile and full of determination. Everyone recognized him for his resilience and refusal to quit, and he would definitely need all of that strength in this match.
| Attribute | Andy Bowen | Jack Burke |
|---|---|---|
| Nickname | The Southern Stalwart | Texas Jack |
| Birth Year | 1867 | 1869 |
| Hometown | New Orleans, Louisiana, USA | Chicago, Illinois, USA (fought out of Texas) |
| Height | 5 ft 6 in (168 cm) | 5 ft 7 in (170 cm) |
| Weight Class | Lightweight | Lightweight |
| Stance | Orthodox | Orthodox |
| Record (pre-fight) | 12 Wins – 0 Losses – 2 Draws | 5 Wins – 3 Losses – 4 Draws – 1 No Contest |
The Fight That Wouldn’t End(Match Analysis)
From the opening rounds, Bowen and Burke boxed cautiously, but by the halfway mark fatigue was setting in. Around the 48th round, Burke was nearly stopped, yet fought on. By the 80th, both men were exhausted, their punches slower and footwork heavy. Near the 100th round, Burke’s hands were badly broken, but he refused to quit. By the 108th, Referee John Duffy announced that if no winner emerged in the next two rounds, the fight would be stopped. After 110 rounds and over seven hours, neither could rise for the next bell, and the fight was declared a no contest.
- Each round was 3 minutes with a 1 minute rest.
- The fight lasted 7 hours 19 minutes, starting at 9:15 PM and ending at 4:34 AM.
- The bout was fought under Marquis of Queensberry rules, but without the modern 12 round limit.
- The extreme length was due to both men’s refusal to quit and the absence of a points-based decision system(a fight continued until a knockout or mutual inability to continue).
Aftermath
- Result: Declared a no contest when neither man could stand for the 111th round.
- Jack Burke’s injuries: He shattered every bone in both of his hands during the fight. The damage was so severe he was bedridden for six weeks and seriously considered retiring.
- Andy Bowen’s condition: Tired but not as hurt as Burke, Bowen bounced back and was back in the ring in just a few months.
