Bare-Knuckle Fighter Dies After 99-Round Fight (1833)

In 1830, bare-knuckle prizefighter Simon Byrne, Ireland’s heavyweight boxing champion, fought Alexander McKay, the “Champion of Scotland,” for the right to challenge England’s heavyweight champ. McKay died of a head injury shortly after losing the lengthy fight, and Byrne was charged but later cleared of manslaughter. Three years later, Byrne fought England’s champion, James Burke. After 3 hours and 99 rounds, Byrne was knocked out. He died days later. What became of Burke after the fatal fight? Discuss

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