On April 6, 1893, two boxers named Andy Bowen and Jack Burke went head-to-head in what would become the longest boxing match in history. The fight took place at the Olympic Club in New Orleans and went on for an incredible 7 hours and 19 minutes across 110 rounds. In the end, neither fighter was declared the winner and the match was ruled a no contest but it definitely became one of the most famous moments in boxing history.
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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. Burke almost went down during round 48 but kept fighting. When they got to round 80, both fighters were exhausted and moving slowly with their punches losing power and their feet feeling heavy. Around round 100, Burke’s hands got injured but he refused to give up. At round 108, Referee John Duffy told them that if someone didn’t win in the next two rounds, he’d end the match. After 110 rounds lasting over seven hours, both men were too tired to stand when the bell rang, so the referee called it a draw with no winner
- 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.
