The 110-Round War: The 7-Hour Marathon That Stands As The Longest Boxing Match In History

In the annals of combat sports, few records seem as unbreakable as the one for the longest boxing match in history. As of December 14, 2025, this astonishing feat of endurance remains firmly in the 19th century, a stark reminder of a brutal, bygone era of the sport where fights were not measured in minutes, but in hours. This legendary contest went an unbelievable 110 rounds, lasting longer than many modern boxing careers combined.

The epic battle, fought between two determined lightweight boxers, Andy Bowen and Jack Burke, is a story of grit, exhaustion, and a set of rules that allowed a sporting event to turn into a grueling, 7-hour and 19-minute marathon. It is a historical benchmark that perfectly illustrates the evolution of boxing from a bare-knuckle endurance test to the safety-focused, 12-round contests we see today.

The Combatants: Andy Bowen and "Texas" Jack Burke Profile

The men who etched their names into the record books were two lightweight contenders from the American South, both known for their toughness and willingness to fight until they dropped. Their profiles offer a glimpse into the careers of late 19th-century professional boxers.

• 7 Shocking Things Jessica Capshaw Revealed About Growing Up With Steven Spielberg As Her Stepfather 892ho

• Andy Bowen (The New Orleans Lightweight)
  • Born: May 3, 1867, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA.
  • Died: December 15, 1894 (Tragically died a year after the record match from injuries sustained in a later fight).
  • Nationality: American.
  • Career Highlight: Known as the former lightweight champion of the South.
  • Fighting Style: Respected for his tenacity and ability to absorb punishment.
• "Texas" Jack Burke (George Campbell)
  • Born: January 1, 1869.
  • Died: October 25, 1913.
  • Nationality: American.
  • Nickname Origin: Adopted the moniker "Texas" Jack Burke after relocating to Galveston, Texas, where he established his fighting reputation.
  • Experience: Was the less experienced fighter of the two heading into the historic bout.

The Longest Fight in History: 110 Rounds of Sheer Torture

The record-setting bout took place on April 6, 1893, at the Olympic Club in New Orleans, Louisiana. The prize was the Lightweight Championship of the South, but what the two men delivered was a contest for the ages, forever securing their place in boxing lore.

The Unimaginable Duration and Result

The fight began at 9:15 p.m. and continued uninterrupted until 4:34 a.m. the following morning. The final statistics are almost mythical:

• Total Rounds: 110 Rounds.
• Total Duration: 7 hours and 19 minutes.
• The Ending: The referee, John Duffy, declared the fight a "no contest" (later officially recorded as a draw).

By the time the fight was stopped, both men were reportedly too exhausted to continue. Burke was said to have broken both hands, while Bowen could barely stand. The referee, John Duffy, stopped the contest because "neither man could come out and fight," marking the only time in boxing history a bout reached such a staggering length.

• The Enduring Legacy Of Haylor 5 Shocking Facts About Harry Styles And Taylor Swifts Relationship 10 Years Later Sf662

Why Did the Fight Last So Long? The Queensberry Rules Factor

To understand how a boxing match could possibly last 110 rounds, one must look at the ruleset of the late 19th century. The bout was fought under the newly established Marquess of Queensberry Rules, which had modernized the sport by introducing gloves and a three-minute round duration with a one-minute rest period.

The Critical Absence of a Round Limit

The single, most significant difference between the 1893 rules and modern regulations was the absence of a maximum round limit. Under the Queensberry Rules, a fight was essentially an endurance contest that continued until one of three things happened:

1. One fighter was knocked unconscious (Knockout).
2. One fighter was unable to continue (TKO/Surrender).
3. The referee or local authorities intervened.

In the Bowen vs. Burke fight, neither man could deliver a knockout blow, and neither would quit. As a result, the fight simply dragged on, round after agonizing round, until the referee finally called it off in the early morning hours. The sheer will of the two boxers, combined with a lack of definitive power punching, turned the event into a grueling, non-stop physical challenge.

• The Chilling True Story 5 Key Facts About Richard Evonitz The Serial Killer Who Kidnapped Kara Robinson Chamberlain Xpjje

From Endless Rounds to Modern Safety: The Evolution of Boxing Rules

The sheer extremity of fights like the 110-round war eventually led to significant changes in professional boxing, prioritizing fighter safety and public health over endless spectacle. The modern sport is unrecognizable compared to the conditions of 1893.

The 15-Round Era and the Tragic Catalyst

For most of the 20th century, championship boxing fights were limited to a maximum of 15 rounds. However, even this limit was deemed too dangerous after a series of high-profile ring deaths and serious injuries.

The most significant catalyst for change was the tragic death of South Korean boxer Duk Koo Kim following his 1982 15-round championship bout against Ray Mancini. The incident sparked global outrage and a unified push for safer standards.

The Universal 12-Round Limit

Following the tragedy, the World Boxing Council (WBC) immediately reduced its championship fights to a maximum of 12 rounds. The World Boxing Association (WBA) and the International Boxing Federation (IBF) followed suit by 1988, establishing the 12-round limit as the universal standard for professional championship boxing today. This rule change ensures that the endurance-focused marathon of the 19th century can never be repeated.

Other Noteworthy Long Boxing Matches in History

While the Bowen vs. Burke fight holds the record for the longest gloved match, other historical bouts also showcased incredible endurance before the modern 12-round limit was established. These matches further illustrate the stark difference between historical and contemporary boxing standards:

• Jack Johnson vs. Jess Willard (1915): This World Heavyweight Championship fight in Havana, Cuba, was scheduled for an astonishing 45 rounds. Willard eventually won by knockout in the 26th round, a grueling contest fought in blistering heat.
• Joe Gans vs. Battling Nelson (1906): This lightweight championship bout lasted 42 rounds before Gans won by a foul, demonstrating the commonality of ultra-long fights in the early 20th century.
• Andy Bowen's Other Marathon (1893): In a testament to his own endurance, Andy Bowen had previously won an 85-round bout on May 31, 1893, just months after his record-setting draw with Burke.

The 110-round war between Andy Bowen and Jack Burke is more than just a boxing record; it is a profound historical artifact. It captures a moment in time when the sport demanded an almost superhuman level of stamina, where the fight could literally last until sunrise. The modern 12-round limit, born from a focus on fighter safety and health, ensures that the record—7 hours and 19 minutes—will remain one of the most untouchable and astonishing feats in the history of professional sports.