Andy Bowen (May 3, 1867 – December 15, 1894) was an American lightweight boxer best known for fighting the world's longest boxing match, which took place in 1893 against Jack Burke.

Andy Bowen
Born
Andy Bowen

(1867-05-03)May 3, 1867
DiedDecember 15, 1894(1894-12-15) (aged 27)
New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
NationalityUnited States American
Statistics
Weight(s)Lightweight
Height5 ft 6 in (168 cm)
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record
Total fights27
Wins16
Wins by KO7
Losses3
Draws7
No contests1

Biography

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Early life

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Born on May 3, 1867, in New Orleans, Louisiana, Bowen's first fight was in 1887. He was undefeated in his first 14 fights, with 12 wins and two draws. In September 1890, he successfully defended his title against Jimmy Carroll at the Olympic Club in New Orleans (the same club where James J. Corbett would defeat John L. Sullivan for the World Heavyweight Championship two years later).

The longest fight

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On April 6, 1893, Bowen and Jack Burke fought the longest fight in history. Bowen had originally scheduled the fight with another opponent, however after dropping out of the fight, Jack Burke, who was the latter's trainer, fought the bout instead. The fight took place at the same Olympics Club Bowen had defended his title from Carroll. The fight lasted 110 rounds over seven hours and 19 minutes (each round lasting three minutes). It was reported that the fight went on for so long, that the spectators who stayed to watch the fight had fallen asleep in their seats. It was also recorded that at round 108, with no clear end in sight, referee John Duffy made the decision that if no winner had emerged in the next 2 rounds, the bout would be ruled a "no contest". With both men having become too dazed and tired to come out of their corners, Duffy declared the match a no contest. Burke broke all the bones in both of his hands and was bedridden for six weeks.[1] He had considered retiring after the fight but chose to continue competing. Bowen fought four more times after the fight. The club where the fight took place would burn to the ground four years later.

Last fight and death

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Bowen's fight against Kid Lavigne was his 27th and last fight. The injury that killed him was inflicted in the 18th round, when Lavigne knocked him down and he hit his head on the wooden canvas. Bowen never regained consciousness and died at 7:00 am the next morning, aged 27. At first Lavigne was arrested for Bowen's death, but was found to be innocent of any wrongdoing following a coroner's inquest. Bowen's death was listed as from hitting his head on the ring floor.[2]

Professional boxing record

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26 fights 15 wins 4 losses
By knockout 7 3
By decision 8 1
Draws 5
No contests 2
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
26 Loss 15–4–5 (2) George Lavigne KO 18 (25) Dec 14, 1894 Olympic Club, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. Bowen died of injuries sustained from the fight
25 Draw 15–3–5 (2) Jim Carroll RTD 25 Aug 8, 1894 Auditorium Club, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
24 Draw 15–3–4 (2) Stanton Abbott RTD 10 May 7, 1894 Olympic Club, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
23 Win 15–3–3 (2) Jack Everhardt RTD 85 May 31, 1893 Olympic Club, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
22 NC 14–3–3 (2) Jack Burke NC 110 (?) Apr 6, 1893 Olympic Club, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. This is the longest glove fight on record, lasting 7 hours and 20 minutes.
The bout was called a 'no contest' by the referee after 110 rounds.
21 Win 14–3–3 (1) Joe Fielden KO 22 (?) Jan 5, 1893 Crescent City A.C., New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
20 Win 13–3–3 (1) Johnny Eckert KO 18 (?) Oct 23, 1892 Plaquemine, U.S.
19 NC 12–3–3 (1) Jimmy Murphy NC 8 Feb 18, 1892 Chicago, U.S. Overturned as no such bout was mentioned in Feb 19 Daily Inter Ocean.
18 Loss 12–3–3 Austin Gibbons TKO 48 (?) Dec 29, 1891 Metropolitan A.C., New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
17 Draw 12–2–3 Billy Myer TD 2 May 20, 1891 New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
16 Draw 12–2–2 Billy Myer PTS 24 May 19, 1891 Olympic Club, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
15 Loss 12–2–1 Jim Carroll KO 21 (?) Sep 16, 1890 Olympic Club, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
14 Win 12–1–1 Billy Myer PTS 28 May 22, 1890 West End Athletic Club, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
13 Loss 11–1–1 Charley Johnson PTS 43 (?) Feb 9, 1890 Abita Springs, U.S.
12 Win 11–0–1 Louis Bezenah PTS 4 Jan 31, 1890 Southern A.C., New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
11 Win 10–0–1 Jimmy McHale KO 2 (?) Dec 22, 1889 Southern A.C., New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
10 Win 9–0–1 Tom Ryan TKO 3 (5) Aug 4, 1889 Sportsman's Park, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
9 Win 8–0–1 Joe Oliver PTS 10 June 16, 1889 Sportsman's Park, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
8 Win 7–0–1 Charles Wilson KO 3 (?) May 19, 1889 New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
7 Win 6–0–1 Mike Murray PTS 10 July 1, 1887 New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
6 Win 5–0–1 Skinner Norton PTS 2 June 1, 1887 New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
5 Win 4–0–1 Jack Doyle PTS 5 May 1, 1887 New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
4 Win 3–0–1 Frank Penti PTS 7 Apr 1, 1887 New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
3 Win 2–0–1 Johnny Wilson PTS 3 Mar 1, 1887 New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
2 Win 1–0–1 Mike Murphy PTS 2 Feb 1, 1887 New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
1 Draw 0–0–1 Jim Glass PTS 10 Jan 16, 1887 Park Hotel, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.

References

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  1. ^ "The Boxing Match That Lasted 7 Hours". Mental Floss. 2015-05-01. Retrieved 2022-07-01.
  2. ^ ""PUT TO SLEEP" FOR ALL TIME; ANDY BOWEN KILLED IN THE RING BY "KID" LAVIGNE. The Knock-Out Blow Probably Not Responsible for the Death -- Other Fights Declared off". The New York Times. 16 December 1894.
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