Deaf History: James Burke

Sebastian Cunliffe presents the story of a prize fighter

4m 43s

Documentary (2010) as part of our Deaf History strand. Reporter Sebastian Cunliffe tells us about the most famous Deaf sportsman who has lived - boxer James Burke. Born in 1809 to a poor family, Burke's parents died when he was young and he was forced to roam for food, before a chance meeting with a pub landlord changed his life. By 1833 he was an acclaimed bare knuckle fighter, but a tragic fight against Simon Byrne led him to flee to America. Again falling on troubled times, he later returned to fight in England under new rules. But would he end his life a wealthy man, or as poor as he started?