Heenan Collection

Sayers V Heenan 1860
English champion Tom Sayers fights the American challenger for the belt. Unresolved, the fight is stopped by the police

The Great Fight for the Championship

The last bare-knuckle fight, Farnborough, Hampshire, 17th April 1860 (1951). Contest between the English David, Tom Sayers, and the American Goliath, Heenan

Sayers and Heenan at the Alhambra (engraving)
2772993 Sayers and Heenan at the Alhambra (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Sayers and Heenan at the Alhambra)

John C Heenan, boxer

Sayers and Heenan, 17 April 1860 (engraving)
983260 Sayers and Heenan, 17 April 1860 (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Sayers and Heenan, 17 April 1860)

The great prize-fight between Morrissey and the Benicia Boy at Long Point
1144569 The great prize-fight between Morrissey and the Benicia Boy at Long Point, Canada West - the commencement of the fight, pub

Heenan and Froude test bench at Pobjoy Airmotors Ltd

An opinion on boxing, 1860. The father of the house, warming his rump at the fire, cannot understand why anyone would wish to read about the sport of prize fighting

Boxer John Camel Heenan, The Benicia Boy (1833-1873). Lithograph by Currier & Ives, 1860
AMERICAN BOXER, 1860. Boxer John Camel Heenan, The Benicia Boy (1833-1873). Lithograph by Currier & Ives, 1860

Early woman police officer, Mrs Lornas Heenan, in uniform with peaked cap. Date: 1910s

Bishop, architect and future cathedral
Frederick Gibberd, architect of the catholic Metropolitan Cathedral in Liverpool, fondly nicknamed Paddys Wigwam by local residents

John C. Heenan, The Benicia Boy - champion of the world. John C. Heenan, full-length portrait, facing slightly right, in boxing stance. Date c1860. John C

Maces challenge to Heenan & Sayers. Date c1882 May 25. Maces challenge to Heenan & Sayers. Date c1882 May 25

John C. Heenan, Champion of the World. (The Benicia Boy.) Born in West Troy, New York, May 2 1835, Height 6 feet 1 1/2 inches, Fighting weight from 185 to 195 lbs

Yankee Doodle on His Muscle. Or the way the Benicia Boy astonished the English Men. John C. Heenan (1835-1873) and Thomas Sayers (1826-1865) Date: ca. 1860

Sayers Gets the Belt
Tom " Little Wonder" Sayers and John " Benicia Boy" Heenan both receive belts after their epic 37 round contest ended in a draw

Sayers and Heenan boxing
Tom Sayers squares up to John Heenan in the most celebrated prize fight of the nineteenth century. It eventually concluded as a draw

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"Heenan: The Great Fight for the Championship" Step back in time to witness one of the most legendary battles in boxing history. Sayers V Heenan, a monumental clash that took place on 17th April 1860, marked the last bare-knuckle fight at Farnborough, Hampshire. Engraved forever in our memories is the iconic image of Sayers and Heenan at the Alhambra, two mighty warriors ready to lay it all on the line for glory and honor. John C Heenan, a renowned boxer known as "The Benicia Boy, " faced off against his formidable opponent with determination etched upon his face. This historic encounter was not just about personal triumph; it was a symbol of strength and resilience. The great prize-fight between Morrissey and The Benicia Boy at Long Point had set high expectations for this showdown. Heenan's legacy extended beyond his boxing prowess. At Pobjoy Airmotors Ltd. , he put his strength to test by partnering with Froude on their revolutionary test bench. This collaboration showcased his versatility outside of the ring. In 1860, an opinion on boxing emerged amidst heated debates surrounding its brutality. Yet, within this controversy lay admiration for these courageous athletes who pushed themselves to their limits. Noteworthy too is Mrs Lornas Heenan, an early woman police officer breaking barriers during a time when gender roles were rigidly defined. Her courage mirrored that of her husband inside and outside the ring. As we delve into history's pages further, we discover Bishop - architect extraordinaire - whose visionary designs would shape future cathedrals but also witnessed firsthand this epic battle unfold before him. Let us remember John Camel Heenan as more than just a boxer; let us celebrate him as an embodiment of strength, determination, innovation – leaving an indelible mark on both sportsmanship and society itself.