James Burke (
1809-
1845) was also one of
England's early days
Boxing champions. Trained around the
River Thames, he fought internationally but refused to meet Irish champion
Sam O' Rourke[?] in
Ireland, so O' Rourke went to the
United States and made fun of Burke's courage, so Burke followed him there and they fought in
New Orleans, and the fight evolved into such a violent event between the fighters and the public that Burke had to run away on a horse, afraid for his life.
Burke later died at home of Tuberculosis, at the young age of 36. In 1992, he was inducted into the International Boxing Hall Of Fame.
