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The historic Heenan/Sayers boxing match...
The historic Heenan/Sayers boxing match...
Item # 716544
April 30, 1860
NEW YORK TIMES, April 30, 1860
* John C. Heenan vs. Tom Sayers
* Famous boxing match - fight
Six of 7 back page columns are taken up with one of the more historic boxing matches of the 19th century.
The top of the first column has heads: "The Great Fight" "Full Particulars" "Thirty-Seven Rounds Fought" "The Event Declared to be a Drawn Battle" "Disgraceful Riot on the Grounds" and more. At the end of the reporting is: "A Battle Hymn - In Honor of Sir John Heenan".
Eight pages, minimal margin wear to inside leaves only, generally very nice, clean condition.
background: The 1860 bare-knuckle boxing match between American John C. Heenan and Englishman Tom Sayers is widely regarded as the first international boxing championship and one of the most storied fights in the sport’s history. Held on April 17 in Farnborough, England, the bout symbolized not just a clash of two unbeaten champions, but also a symbolic contest between the United States and Britain, drawing immense public attention on both sides of the Atlantic. Despite giving up significant size—Heenan stood 6'2" and weighed around 195 pounds, while Sayers was only 5'8" and about 150 pounds—Sayers fought with remarkable skill, determination, and heart. The fight lasted an astonishing 42 rounds over more than two hours, during which Sayers suffered a severely injured right arm and Heenan’s face was left bruised and bloodied. The match devolved into chaos as the ropes collapsed and spectators stormed the ring, forcing police to intervene and halt the fight. It was declared a draw to avoid inflaming international tensions, and both men were hailed as heroes. The bout, brutal and unregulated, sparked public debate about the nature of prizefighting and is credited with accelerating the move toward modern, gloved boxing under the Queensberry Rules.
Category: Pre-Civil War
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