James Burke (boxer)

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.