Heenan, John C.
Boxing
b. May 2, 1833, Troy, NY
d. Oct. 28, 1873
Heenan went to Benicia, CA, at seventeen and became known as the "Benicia Boy" after he began prize fighting. He returned to New York in 1857 and on October 20, 1858, he met John Morrissey at Long Point Canada, for a $10,000 side bet and the American heavyweight championship. In the 1st round, Heenan broke his hand, but he managed to go 10 more rounds before being knocked out.
Morrissey refused a rematch and retired, so Heenan claimed the title. He went to England and fought Tom Sayers, the British title claimant, on April 17, 1860. After 42 rounds, the crowd broke into the ring and the fight was ruled a draw. American newspapermen felt the spectators had stopped the fight because Heenan was winning, but British journalists naturally thought Sayers had the upper hand.
Like Morrissey, Sayers retired immediately afterward. Heenan challenged the new British titlist, Tom King; their fight, on December 18, 1863, was also controversial. King couldn't come "up to scratch" in the required 30 seconds after the 18th round, but he was given additional time to recover and Heenan was forced to give up after 25 rounds. It was his last fight.