Vintage portrait of American bare-knuckle boxer John C Heenan (1834 - 1873). Heenan, born in New York and nicknamed "The Benicia Boy", became heavyweight Champion of America by default in 1859 after title holder John Morrissey, who had defeated Heenan the previous year, retired. Heenan famously fought Tom Sayers, the Champion of England, in what is regarded as the first ever "world championship" battle at Farnborough, Hampshire, England, on April 17 1860 - a bout that ended in a draw after 42 rounds.
Vintage portrait of American bare-knuckle boxer John C Heenan (1834 - 1873). Heenan, born in New York and nicknamed "The Benicia Boy", became heavyweight Champion of America by default in 1859 after title holder John Morrissey, who had defeated Heenan the previous year, retired. Heenan famously fought Tom Sayers, the Champion of England, in what is regarded as the first ever "world championship" battle at Farnborough, Hampshire, England, on April 17 1860 - a bout that ended in a draw after 42 rounds when spectators invaded the ring and police stopped proceedings. Heenan only fought once more - a controversial loss to new English champion Tom King in 1863 - and eventually died from tuberculosis. Portrait circa 1860 by Cameron & Walsh.
Size: 2332px × 3000px
Photo credit: © Fistiana / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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