Presented is a colorized Currier & Ives lithograph of bare-knuckle prize fighter John C. Heenan, known as the Benicia Boy. Heenan was a well-known fighter who actually had merely three official fights in his life-time. He was born in West Troy, New York, and as a youth he moved to California, eventually living in Benicia, which in its post 1949 Gold Rush days was a wild, and often lawless place. At 6'2" and growing into his 185 pounds, Heenan was very large for his time, and he earned money by taking on challengers in countless unofficial fights in saloons. Heenan's first official fight was a challenge for the United States' Championship against John Morrisey, the United States' Champion who was born in Ireland. Since prize fighting was illegal in the United States at the time, the fight was held in Canada, at Long Point Island. Some reports of the fight said that Morrissey's lawless supporters stepped on Heenan's hand and punched him in his kidneys. Heenan had already injured his hand against a ring post. In any event, Morrissey knocked out Heenan in the 11th Round. Heenan's next "official" fight was a bout against English Champion Tom Sayers for the World Championship. Fighting was also illegal in England, but the fight was staged anyway, on April 17, 1960, in Hampshire, England. In the 37th Round, Heenan almost strangled Sayers by illegally forcing Sayer's neck against a ring rope. The rope was cut, and the crowd surged forth. The fight was later restarted, and it ended after 42 rounds when police started approaching, and the crowd and fighters fled. The referee declared the fight a draw, but after weeks of argument, it was decided to award championship belts to both fighters. Heenan's final official fight was when he lost a decision in Wadhurst, England to the English champion Tom King in 1863. At the bottom of the lithograph is written, "JOHN C. Heenan, CHAMPION OF THE WORLD.... Beat the champion of England in 42 rounds April 17th, 1860. Time 2Hours 20 Min." The lithograph measures 9.5x13.75". It is matted and framed at 15.5x19.75". The lithograph appears to be in Excellent condition. This offering makes a fascinating collectable as the dignified image in the lithograph stands in stark contrast to the violent, chaotic, and often lawless days in the fighting career of John Heenan.