The star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1908-1909, 1908-03-16
BURNSROCHE BATTLE
EXCITES ALL IRELAND
One Of the Greatest Crowds Of Modern Times
Will Be in Attendance Tomorrow When
the Two HeavyWeightS Meet--Papke
and Kelly Fight Tonight.
BY BERT DODGE.

kNHoUGH Americans have been given to understand that Ireland is suf-
fering from a lack If ready money. the reports from abroad are to
ID the effect that the amount of cash which Tommy Burns will receive
for his share in h fight with Jim Roche tomorrow night will be greater than
he ever got in any former ring contest.
Roche is the Irish champion heavyweight and the greatest crowd Of modern
times in Ireland to witness a nsdc affair will be in attendance The idea is
general in Ireland that the natives SON has an excellent chance against the
another Gunner Moi Or Palmer affair las been altered. While nobody on this
side of the water thinks that Roche will be able to defeat Burns, til believed
that the affair will be a real contest
1t is largely because there is in ireland. as there is England. a large1eisure
cass who cn afford to pay big money to see fshce exhibitions, that the affair
tomorrow night will be 50 largely attended. These men have lots If MONEY to
spend OF the good things of life. In fact, they have little else to do but to get
all the pleasure put Of life that they can
Crowd Fond of Sport of All Kinds.
They are fond of all sortso of sport and follow racing, hunting, etc, for
pleasure alone, and no m not familiar with the subject has the slightest
idea of tho great attention devoted to sport alone in that country; and as
this will be the first big contest held in Ireland in generations, it has called
that there IRE excellent railroad facilities will bring to the ringsde the
lovers of sport from every quarter o thu island, and it is no a all un-
likely that hundreds will come from England, Scotland and Wales to see the
hght.
The fact that, outside OF Peter Maher and me or two smaller men, Ire
land has not turned out a good boxer rim years, has Otter been the subject
of wonder and discussion. The race is combaiye and the men individually
are as gan as car be found in any other nation, and often more So 1t is
no difficult thing to find Irishnen who realy. love to fight They are will
ing to pitch hin and rough it up with anyone and it is ancient subject fr jok-
ties just Tor the chance of having a frst-class rpction.
Few Good Boxers in Last Generation.
Why the country has never turned ut ny good boxers in the last genera
ton or two it is hard to explain, but tits not 70 very difficult when the matter
is Investigated a little
In years gone by, when bare-knuckle fighting vas the only form of fight
ing. ring contests for money or prizes o some srtor other were just a pop
ur in Ireland as they were tnE England or in America. But when laws were
passed oulawing such contests they were frowned upo by decent mn in all
parts Oft the country
There were no gentlemen boxers in those days Pugnsts were just prize
fighters plug-ugues or brusers, and they we're looked upon as disreputable
members OF society.
Up to the present time the boxer who makes a living with his fists is not
regarded as much better hn the prize fighter of former days, and the sport
has never been encouraged much. the young men of Ireland taking more
ever come in Ireland whenla distinction will be made between the modern box
ing bout, which ss SO popular in some cities in this country, hen Ireland Will
furnish men who will be competent to hold their W against the boxers Of
any other land, for they have the love of combat and the natural intelligence
which go to make hrt-class boxers. ~ IS. 1850 ~ et ELL