Editing James Burke (boxer) (section)

==Return to Britain==
Burke returned to Britain in 1838<ref name="Gorn44"/> and on 29 July issued a challenge to fight any man for the championship of England and a stake of either £100 or £500 a side. He also demanded that [[Jem Ward]], who had retired, add his [[Championship belt|champions belt]] to the pot.<ref>{{Harvnb|Dowling|p=141|1855}}</ref> [[William Thompson (boxer)|William "Bendigo" Thompson]] accepted the challenge, and on 12 February 1839, the men arranged a fight regulated by the new [[London Prize Ring Rules]] for a total sum of £220 at [[Heather, Leicestershire]].<ref name="odd187"/><ref>{{Harvnb|Dowling|p=142|1855}}</ref> As many as 15,000 spectators attended.<ref>{{Harvnb|Dowling|p=144|1855}}</ref> Burke was seconded by Jem Burn, King Dick, and Tommy Roundhead; Thompson, by Jim Ward, [[Nicholas Ward (boxer)|Nick Ward]], and Peter Taylor.<ref>{{Harvnb|Dowling|p=143|1855}}</ref> Thompson drew first blood in the third round, causing Burke's nose to bleed.<ref>{{Harvnb|Dowling|p=147|1855}}</ref> Burke was disqualified in the tenth round for [[headbutt]]ing Thompson twice,<ref name="odd187"/><ref>{{Harvnb|Lynch|p=87|1922}}</ref> in violation of the new prize ring rules.<ref>{{Harvnb|Dowling|p=148|1855}}</ref> Jem Ward presented Thompson with a champions belt. Burke initially spoke of rematch, but Thompson suffered a leg injury in March 1840, and did not box for several years.<ref>{{Harvnb|Dowling|p=150|1855}}</ref>

Burke fought [[Nicholas Ward (boxer)|Nick Ward]] at [[Lillingstone Lovell]], Oxfordshire, for a £100 prize on 22 September 1840.<ref>{{Harvnb|Dowling|pp=150–151|1855}}</ref> Ward drew blood in the first round, causing Burke's cheek to bleed, but Burke also cut Ward's lip later in the round.<ref>{{Harvnb|Dowling|p=151|1855}}</ref> Ward fought cautiously, slowly, and defensively for the first four rounds.<ref>{{Harvnb|Dowling|p=152|1855}}</ref> In the 17th round, Ward had Burke on the ropes and knocked him down. Burke's seconds cried foul, and while the referee was making a decision and Burke was in his corner, Ward repeatedly struck Burke in face. Referee decided in Ward's favour, and Ward won the fight, though Burke protested the outcome.<ref>{{Harvnb|Dowling|pp=153–154|1855}}</ref>