Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1908-12-26
NEGRO CHAMPION "BRUlsER."
Jack johnson Wins Heavyweight Bout
WIKI Burns.

Sydney. N. S. W., Dec. 26.--Jack
Johnson won the heavyweight cham
pIonship Of the world from Tommy
Burns. The fight went fourteen rounds
and johnson was declared the winner
on points. The police stopped the bout
at tho end OF the fourteenth round be-
cause of it's brutality.
Jack Johnson is the first negro who
ever won the worlds heavyweight
pugilistic championship--in fact, he Is
the only negro who ever was permitted
to battle for the honor He was born
in Galveston. Tex, in 1873, and bega'|
his ring career In 1901. He Is 8 feet IA
inches in height and weighed at the
lingside close to 1870 pounds.
Burns was born in Hanover, Ont, In
1881, and started fighting when he was
10 years old He is 5 feet IA inches IN
height and weighs when trained for
battle about It's pounds.
Burns always was q rough and ready
lighter who delighted TO sail in and mix
things with his adversary. Favored
with great length of arm--his reach
TAX inches--Burns has
proved himself bad man at close
range. Despite the fact that Johnson
overtopped him in height by u inches
Burns had the better of the argument
in reach by la inches.
A purse Of $4,000 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 out
come of the fight. Johnson had to be
satisfied with $1,000 and return tickets
to London for himself and his mana
ger, Sam Fitzpatrick. According to re-
ports, both Johnson and 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 pugilistic contest.
Burns did his training at Darling
Point, while johnson got in condition
at Marley, seaside suburb. Besides u
retinue OF sllillful 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
ClittA5S ny giving SAAipiSioiAo
twice a week at the stadium
Since James j. Jeffries retired and
Tommy Burns claimed the Champion
ship johnson has been trying to get
the Canadian boy to meet him and he
has trailed him turnout the United
States and even to England in quest of
Il match 1t was not until Mcintosh,
the promoter of this fight and who also
acted as referees offered a purse OF
s35, 900 for a battle at Rush Cutters
bay, suburb of Sydney. that Burns
to meet Johnson. Then he
stipulated how the money should be
split up. the size of the ring and all
the conditions surrounding the fight
johnson Immediately accepted and
sailed from London for his training
Johnson during his ring career has
fought sixty-four battles, and twenty
two of his opponents have gone down
to- defeat by the knockout route.
Prominent among those who have been
put to sleep by the big black are Jack
Jetfries. brother Of the former heavy
weight champion. who was knocked
out by Johnson at Los Angeles in 1902
in five rounds ad Bob Fitzsimmons,
who in Philadelphia in 1907 was able
to withstand Johnson's shifty work but
two rounds. He has lost but two fights,
one twenty round decision to Mar
vim Hart, and the other on a foul to
Joe Jeanette.
Not since the days Of James j. Cor
bett has the prize ring seen so perfect
a boxer as Johnson. Long and 1.-the, he
is as graceful as dancing master and
as true as an arrow in placing his
blows. Especially deft is he with his
left hand and few boxers, unless they
have got skill are able to keep the big
black man from beating their faces
to tatters.
In courage Burns was bull dog, al
ways, johnson, it was said by some
had yellow streak" In none of his
many battles however. has it heen
proven that Johnson would not take
a good beating Neither Burns nor
Johnson, however, have been consid-
cred men of the stamp of Jetfries, Sui
livan or Corbett in the fighting game.