John Hyrons

John Hyrons, 27, died of injuries sustained while sparring with Matt Evans 26 February 1888, at Melbourne, Australia.

The two men were fish hawkers who had a quarrel over customers. They were also bookmakers, so they decided to settle their dispute for £5 per side, under London Prize Ring Rules.

The fight had started at about five in the morning, and lasted until about one hour, forty minutes. After the 64th round, Hyrons fell off the knee of his second. He remained unconscious, so he was taken to the hospital about three hours later. There were contusions all over his ribs and chest, both eyes were black, and his right hand and arm were swollen. There were no obvious fractures. He died soon after. The surgeon said death was caused by an extravasation of blood on the brain, produced by blows to the head. The jury ruled manslaughter.

Melbourne (Australia) Argus, March 8, 1888; (Perth) West Australian, March 16, 1888.

Courtesy of Death under the Spotlight: The Manuel Velasquez Boxing Fatality Collection: [1]