The morning journal-courier., 1908-03-18
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 FIRST BLOW FATAL Burns Sends Roche Down for the Count in Thirty eight
 Seconds. IRISH CHAMPION IS SLOW American Fighter Willing to Give the
 Conquered Heavyweight An other Chance.
IRISH CHAMPION IS SLOW

Dublin. March 17.-Tommy Burns the American heavyweight champion, made short work of lem Roche, the Irish champion. in their contest this evening at the Theatre Royal for the worlds heavyweight championship. Practically only one blow was struck, Burns knocking Roche out when hard ly moro than a minute of the first found had been completed by a short hook to the jaw. So quickly did the end come that the great crowd which nlled the theatre in the expectation of seeing the Irishman put up good light for the title, hardly realized what had happened.
 When the men entered the ring 1t was evident that the sluggish Roche was no match for the more experienced Burns. They spared for less than minute, the Irishman acting altogeth- er on the defensive and the American Burns feinted and quickly put a short right to the jaw and Roche went down. He was badly daEed and although he struggled to regain his feet. was un- able to do so before the fatal ten was colrited.
 Immediately after the count Roche got to his feet, but staggered about the stage. When he had recovered him self he went over smilingly to congrat- llate the winner. He had met better man.
 The fight tonight was for purse. E,b0O which was put up by a syndi- gate, of which Richard Croker, the Former Tammany leader. was a mem Der. and a side bet of $2,5oO. Tn addi- tion Burns had 5000 on himself at odds of 3 to 1. The ringsids betting was to ? on the American.
 The blow which decided the fight was the only one of any consequence dur Ing the minute and thirty -eight seconds the men were in the ring. The crowd which shortly before had cheered Roche to the echo and greeted him with airs From Wexford" were so taken back that after few angry misses they went quietly out of the theatre. Burns said of the fight that it was the easiest he ever had. He went in, he added, to make 1t as short as possible, as he had too much money at stake at long odds 10 take any chances. He had expected, however, that the fight would go few rounds. although he was never in houbt as to the final result.
 
 Burns stated that he was willing to give Roche another chance. if suffi- Eient inducements were forthcoming. He Is now considering an effort pro- NisionalE made by the Dublin syndi- rate for a match with "Bill" squires under the same terms as that with Roche.
 On the stroke of the gong Burns Jumped to the center of the ring. which mss an 1s-foot affair. and started his usual tactics of trying to draw out his opponent. This seemed to annoy Roche who angrily struck down Burns arm hnd then covered his face with both gloves to protect 1t from threatened blow. Burns however, was looking Tor a better chance, and moment later he feinted with his left and shot his right over to the jaw which was entirely unprotected. The Irishman lwent to the canvas but not heavily. bae slid along on his side and then rolled over. face downward. Very few bf the spectators, even those on the etage were quick enough to see how fl was done. and there were cries ot efake''
 There was no doubt, however. that Roche went in to do his best, but he was outclassed and altogether too slow For a man of Burns quickness and ring craft. Roche said tonight. after he had got over somewhat the sud. denness of his defeat, "He did 1t toc uuick, that's all.'
 Burns when questioned whether ht would meet Roche or Squires again re- piled: "I will fight any one, if there i' enough money In sight"