John C. Heenan

For the English Roman Catholic cardinal, see John Heenan (cardinal).

John C. Heenan
Heenan, circa 1863
Born
John Camel Heenan

(1834-05-02)May 2, 1834
West Troy, New York, U.S.
DiedOctober 28, 1873(1873-10-28) (aged 39)
Green River Station, Wyoming Territory, U.S.
NationalityAmerican
Other namesThe Benicia Boy
Statistics
Weight(s)190 lb (86 kg)
Height6 ft 2 in (188 cm)
Boxing record
Total fights3
Wins0
Losses2
Draws1

John Camel[1] Heenan (May 2, 1834[2] – October 28, 1873), also known as the Benicia Boy, was an American bare-knuckle prize fighter. Though highly regarded, he had only three formal fights in his career, losing two and drawing one.

Heenan is best remembered for his second contest, when he traveled to England to fight British champion Tom Sayers. The bout ended in chaos when spectators broke into the ring and the police intervened. The referee finally called a draw. The Benicia Boy came home to a hero's welcome, but later returned to England, where he had just one more fight, losing controversially to new British champion Tom King. Heenan died at Green River Station, Wyoming Territory in October 1873, and is buried at St Agnes Cemetery, Albany, New York.

  1. ^ The Times, January 6, 1864. "Carmel" is an erroneous spelling of Heenan's middle name.
  2. ^ 1835 is often cited as the year of Heenan's birth, but the New York Clipper of November 8, 1873 recorded that the plate on his coffin gave it as 1834.