Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-12-25

SYDNEY. New South Wales. December
., australian timeh-Two features OF tue
heavyweight championship battle. WHICH
is to be held here Saturday morning De
tween Jack Johnson and Tommy BURNS
that will probably surprise Americans
are that already $4,000 worth OF tickets
have heen sold and that the white man
is a Ito. favorite over his negro oppo-
nent. Hugh Mcintosh the promoter Oh
the contest. has finally been selected 10
referee the contest. at the request of both
fighters For the last three days tie
principals have been at a deadlock on the
referee question, but the suggestion that
Mcintosh he the arbiter of rules in the
ring proved to be happy one. and now
everything is i'll readiness for the Dig
fight.
Before the referee was decided upon
Burns ruled favorite over johnson at .
To in the betting, but as soon as the
third man was agreed upon Tommy
stock bounded up a point. and the mine
owners. merchants and professional men
unlimbered their wallets and began brisk
betting on the result of the fight.
Record Crowd Expected.
1t is expected that one of the biggest
crowds that ever witnessed a prize fight
will turn out on boxing day TO see the
elongated bunch of black cleverness battle
with the chunky bundle of French Cana
dian nerve and muscle for one of the big
gest purses ever offered for a prize fight.
Both of the men have trained hard for
the battle, and each is in superb condl-
ton. Today the men were examined by
a physician, and the man of medicine
pronounced each to be perfectly fit for
Il grueling twenty-round fight
Over here there seems to be no shadow
of suspicion on the 'scuareness" of the
coming battle. and all of the betting is
being done on the form of the two con-
teStants and their past performances;
that is. the performances of the men since
they left America.
In that time Burns has fought seven
fights and has won all of them by knock
outs. His last fight before leaving Amer
this country. and naturally every fight
fan in Australia knows that Tommy
knocked out Squires in one round. john
son Knocked out Ben Taylor in England
and on his previous trip here he put Peter
Felix 10 sleep in a round and knocked
out Bill Lang In nine rounds.
There is being more interest manifested
by the sporting public in the champion
ship fight than there is or has been in
even the big cup races. Everybody is in
terested. everybody has an opinion and
everybody is ready TO back his opinion
with coin of the realm.
Expects S15O,OOO Receipts.
II is estimated that more than $50. 800
will be taken in at the gate. The stadium
is completed and will seat about 30 600
persons. The prices range from ten shil-
lings to five pounds. or from $3.50 to SO
American money.
BURNS is faster and stronger than ever
and when he finished his training today
he declared that he would make Johnson
quit inside of fifteen rounds
I'll carry the fight to him. declared
the champion. and I'll set such a fast
pace that his much-vaunted cleverness
will avail him little. You people have
never seen me at my best over here. and
II Johnson is anywhere near as good as
] give him credit for being you will see
great fight, for while at least l have
trained fer this fight as l never trained
before, and / am certain to win by
knockout. / never was in better condition
for fight.
Sam Fitzpatrick wore a broad smile at
the end of the days training in the John
son camp.
Jack is in fine form" said the genial
Irishman. land he'll make Burns travel
At faster gait than he ever went before
win? Say. he's sure that he has fol-
lowed Burns half way round the world I'm
order to secure this match And YOU
think he intends 20 get licked? Not so
YOU could notice il.
over mere We are nearly fifteen hours
ahead of America in time and conse-
quently as the fight will be held at IL