James Burke (boxer)

He primarily competed in Southern England, though he also toured the United States from 1836 to 1838, fighting both exhibition matches and prizefights.

He fought ten additional opponents in various bouts between 1829 and 1833, including an 8 January 1833 fight which he won against Harry Macone, who stood 6 feet 2 inches (188 cm) tall and weighed 15 stone (210 lb; 95 kg).

[7] Burke was backed by boxers Tom Gaynor and Dick Curtis and trained with Thomas Owen at Northfleet.

[8] Byrne was backed by boxers Jem Ward, Tom Spring, and Ned Neale, training with the latter.

[14] In 1833, he received a challenge from Irish boxer Sam O'Rourke to fight at the Curragh of County Kildare, but Burke refused to go to Ireland.

He tried to arrange a fight with Young Dutch Sam for a £500 stake on each side, but Burke was unable to raise sufficient funds.

O'Connell was seconded by Abraham Vanderzee and Alexander Hamilton; Burke, by Jake Somerendyke and Bill Hatfield.

[20][21] Burke returned to Britain in 1838[18] and on 29 July issued a challenge to fight any man for the championship of England and a stake of either £100 or £500 a side.

[22] William "Bendigo" Thompson accepted the challenge, and on 12 February 1839, the men arranged a fight regulated by the new London Prize Ring Rules for a total sum of £220 at Heather, Leicestershire.

[26] Burke was disqualified in the tenth round for headbutting Thompson twice,[21][27] in violation of the new prize ring rules.

Burke initially spoke of rematch, but Thompson suffered a leg injury in March 1840, and did not box for several years.

[33] Burke retired from prize fighting after his defeat by Ward, and made a living teaching self-defence lessons.

[34] Burke died of tuberculosis on 8 January 1845[35][36] at his home in Frances Street, Waterloo, London.