The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1908-03-20
Tommy Burns Knocks Out the
Champion of ireland.
ONLY ONE BLOW Is STRUCK
American Pusiiist Lands on Roche's
Jaw and the Irish Fighter Goes
to the Mat for the Count.

Dublin. March 18.-Tommy Burns,
the American heavyweight champion,
made short work of Jem Roche, the
Irish champion, in their contest at
the Theater Royal for the worlds
championship. Practically only one
blow was struck, Burns knocking
Roche out when hardly more than a
minute of the first round had been
completed by short hook to the jaw
So quickly did the end come that the
great crowd which filled the theater
in the expectation of seeing the Irish
man put up good fight for the title
hardly sealized what had happened.
When the men entered the ring it
was evident that the sluggish Roche
was no match for the more expe
rienced Burns. They spared for less
than minute, the Irishman acting al.
together on the defensive and the
American endeavoring to find an
opening. Then Burns tented, quick
ly put short sharp right to the jaw
and Roche went down. He was badly
dazed and although he struggled to
regain his feet was unable to do so
before the fatal ten was counted.
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-
q % ha1 hot
ter man.
The fight was for a purse of $500,
which was put up by syndicate, Of
which Richard Croker, the former
Tammany leader, was a member, and
side bet of $4,000. In addition
Burns had $1,000 on himself at odds
of to 1. The ringside betting was
to on the American.
Only One Blow Struck.
The blow which decided the fight
was the only one of any consequence
during the minute and thirty-eight
seconds the men were in the ring. The
crowd which shortly before had
cheered Roche to the echo and greet
were so taken back that after a few
angry Kisses they went quietly out of
the theater.
Burns said of the fight that it was
the easiest he ever had. He went in,
he added, to make it as short as posi-
bic, as he had too much money at
stake at long odds to take any
chances. He had expected, however,
that the fight would go few rounds,
although he was never in doubt as to
the final result.
Burns stated that he was willing to
give Roche another chance, if suffi-
cient inducements were forthcoming.
He is now considering an offer pro-
visionally made by the Dublin syndi-
cate for match with "Bill Squires
under the same terms as that with
Roche.
The scene in the theater was re-
markable one. There were seats for
5000 and every one was occupied. 1t
was a most enthusiastic crowd and
Roche received a great reception when
he entered, smiling and with confident
air. The orchestra struck up "The
Boys of Wexford" the spectators
joining in the chorus Burns, who had
been watching the preliminary bouts.
strolled casually to the ring to the
air of "The Star Spangled Banner"
He also was well received, but the
reception of Burns was insignificant
as compared with that given Richard
Croker when the master of ceremo-
MES announced that it was largely
through the efforts of the former Tam
many leader that Roche was able to
enter the contest. Mr.. Croker, who
was in box at the ringside, had to
acknowledge the tremendous cheering
that greeted him.
Burns, when questioned whether he
would meet Roche or Squires again,
replied:
Il will fight anyone if there is