Lewiston evening teller. [volume] (Lewiston, Idaho) 1903-1911, 1908-12-26
JOHNSON IS
THE CHAMPION
DEFEATS TOMMY BURNS IN THE
FOURTEENTH ROUND - BIG
BLACK MAN WAS INVINCIBLE
AND WON FIGHT EASILY.

Sydney, N. 8. W., Dec. 26.-Jack
Johnson, the big negro from Calves
ton, Tex, Is the worlds heavyweight
champion. .
He won the title today in the big
arena at Rushcutters bay from Tom
my Burns. the French-Canadian,
who has held 1t since James j. jeff
ries relinquished 1t, and after q
chase OF Burns that led half way
around the world. '
The end came in the fourteenth
round. when the police seeing Burns
unable to defend himself from the
savage blows of his opponent merci-
fully stopped the fight. Previously
1t had been arranged that II the po-
lice interfered decision should be
rendered ON points, and Referee Nc
Intosh declared the big black man q
winner, for all through the fight he
had shown himself Burns master in
every style of fighting.
Burns, in an interview after he
had gone to his dressing room, said:
II did the best could and fought
hard Johnson was to big and his
size defeated me-"
Johnson appeared fresh after the
fight, while Burns eyes were badly
pulled and his mouth swollen tC
twice it's normal size. He fought a
game battle and showed indomitable
pluck, but he was no match for the
big Texas black.
Twice only in the annals Of pugi-
lism has a colored man been permit
ted to fight for the title emblematit
of the worlds heavyweight cham.
pionship. Peter Jackson tried \
with John l.. Sullivan, but Sullivan
would not consent 10 go. After
| James J. Jeffries took the scalp o.
Bob Fitzsimmons he took on Hank
Griffin at Los Angeles. but the color
ed man was easy for him and nevel
had chance to win the honor. HI
was knocked out in four rounds
Jeffries then drew the color line ant
several years later retired. johnson
had tried to get on fight with him
unavailingly.
Then Tommy Burns. or NOal
Brusso, ~ his name really IL. tool
up the mantle Of JeNries. Since thel
and until today johnson has endeav
ored to get him into the ring. de
claring that he was Burns master
The tight was for q purse Of $35.
900, of which Burns received $50.
900, johnson $4,000. The ring wa
a 24-foot one and was pitched in tn
center OF big arena built especial,
for the purpose. The bout was
have been for 20 rounds. The da
dawned overcast and cool.
Thousands of persons from al
parts uf the country were attracts
to the scene of the encounter an
many reached here christmas nigh
and slept in the open. They came b.
street cars, automobiles, carriage
and on horseback, and at 10 o'cloc
in the morning, one hour before tn
light was scheduled to start, ever
seat was occupied The prices c
seats ranged from $3.50 to $25.
The crowd was estimated at be
tween $4,000 and 10000 person
and It kept perfect order throughot
the fight. A brass band enlivened tn
holiday. Before the contestants er
tered the ring Bill Squires, wh
thrice has been defeated by Burn
challenged the winner.
Burns weighed in at 1853 pound
and johnson at 1872. The bettin
J was Z to on Burns at the star
but 1t veered in a few rounds to
to on Johnson.
The spectators conceded ths
Johnson's victory was due to hiG
physical advantages over Burns, n
superior knowledge OF the hghtin
game and his unruffled demean<
while being tainted by the chan
Il