Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-27
ConditIons of the Rout.

Jack Johnson is the first negro who
ever won the worlds heavyweight pugilis-
tic ch championships; in fact, he is the first
negro who was ever permitted to battle
for the honor. He was born in Calves
ton Tex, in 1873. and began his ring
career in 1901. He is 6 feet IN inches
in height and weighed at the ringside
close to 100 pounds.
Burns was born in Hanover, Ont. in
1881. and started fighting when he was
10 years old. He is 8 feet IA inches in
height and weighs when trained for bat
tie about 175 pounds. Burns always was
a rough-and-ready fighter who delighted
to sail in and mix things with his ad-
versary, Favored with great length of
arm, his reach measuring 74h inches,
Burns has proved himself a bad man at
close range. Despite the fact, that john
son overtopped him in height by 6h
inches, Burns had the better of the argu-
ment in reach by IN inches.
A purse of $S5, 900 was hung up for
the battle. which was scheduled TO go
twenty rounds. OF this amount Burns
demanded and received $4,000, this sum
to be paid him despite the outcome of the
fight. Johnson had to be satisfied with
IS, 900 and return tickets to London for
himself and his manager. Sam Fitzpatrick.
Accounting W ISpoIlSt DOln Johnson ana
Burns bet heavily on themselves at the
prevailing odds. which slightly favored
Burns at the ringside. The fighters were
trained to the hour and fought before
what probably was the largest crowd that
ever witnessed a pugilistic contest. Burns
did his training at Darling Point. while
Johnson got in condition at Marley, a
seaside suburb. Besides a retinue of
skillful trainers. who gave the men daily
practice at the game OF hit. stop and get
away, both Burns and Johnson followed
American training methods by doing hard
road work. Each man picked up a lot Of
loose change by giving training exhibit
tions twice a week at the Stadium.
Black Man Works Long for Match.
Since James ]. Jefferies retired and
Tommy Burns claimed the championship,
Johnson has been trying to get the Cana
dian boy to meet him and he has trailed
him throughout the United States and even
to England In quest of a mitch. It was
not until Mcintosh. the promoter of this
fight and who also acted as referee. Of
fered a purse OF $4,000 for a battle at
Rushcutters Bay. a suburb of Sydney that
Burns consented to meet Johnson. Then
he stipulated how the money should be
split up, the size of the ring and all the
eAAAAAA5 NA0 AAhhAs AAAA1
Immediately accepted and sailed from Lon
don for Australia to begin training.
johnson. during his ring career. has
fought siNty-four battles and twenty-five
OF his opponents have gone down to de-
Feat by the knockout route. Prominent
OF those who have been put to sleep by the
Dig black are Jack Jefferies. a brother of
the former heavyweight champion. who
was knocked out by Johnson at Los An
geles In 1902 in five rounds and Bob Fltz-
simmons. who. in Philadelphia in 1907 was
unable to Withstand Johnson's shifty work,
but two rounds. He has lost but two fights.
one a twenty round decision to Marvin
Hart and the other on a foul to Joe Jean
cite.
Not since the days OF James ]. Corbett
has the prize ring seen so perfect a boxer
as Johnson. Long and 1.-THE. he is as grace
ful as a dancing master and as true as an
arrow In placing his blows. Especially def