The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1908-12-17
BURNS IS PET
IN AUSTRALIA

oAO1tI<as u. ~ DcSCulU6E HILL
Australia Tommy Burns, the heavy
weight champion, appears to have
achieved marked popularity. The refer
enees made by Jack Johnson to the
effect that Burns has been running
away from him have not struck the
right note as far as the public is con-
cerned. An Australian exchange says:
Interest in his meeting with Burns
is growing daily, and by the time the
big black arrives in Sdyney it will have
reached almost fever heat. johnson
has INDUCED in steady work on the
voyage out, and win have to apply
practically only the finishing touches to
his preparation in Sydney. The cham
pion has not started work yet. He is
at present in Melbourne, and will Sec
ond the Irish middleweight champion,
Pat o 'Keefe, in his contest with Ed.
Williams, the Victorian boxer, at the
Melbourne Cyclorama tomorrow night.
He will return to Sydney shortly, and
then set about getting himself into the
best of condition, so as to be able to
give complete answer to johnson
on December 20 next.
" Modest Jack johnson, as the col
ored heavyweight champion of the
world was known in some quarters in
England, is a passenger by the R. NJ. S.
Ortana, which is at present in Austria.
liam waters. Notwithstanding his repu-
tation for quietness which preceded
him-a condition of things known not
to be natural--Johnson made a good
start by issuing bold proclamation
regarding his coming battle with Tom
my Burns. He appears to regard the
little white man in the light of big
joke, and refers to him as an easy
proposition. If the colored man hopes
to gain the sympathy and confidence
of the Australian public in this man
ner he is mistaken.
Another thing, he may find it diff
cult to fulfill all the promises he has
made. The interview which he gave on
arrival at Fremantle is not likely to
impress anyone. johnson might have
weighed his words more Had he done
so he would not have given vent to
some of the expressions he did. But
apart from any first impression John
son may create, he is assured of plenty
of supporters in both Sydney and Mel
bourne.
johnson Catches a Tartar.
"Johnson struck trouble on the voy-
age out to Australia, according to an
account by the Fremantle correspon-
dent of the Sun. Soon after leaving
Gibraltar, johnson, having gained his
sea legs, set about searching for some
one DESTROYS of trying conclusions with
him. He extended an invitation to
box anyone on board, merely for prac
tise, So he declared. The challenge
hung fire for several days No one
anxious to try conclusions
with the big black, even for practise.
At last young Queenslander, who is
after a six months tour of
Europe, plucked up courage, and ac-
cepted the invitation. He knew some
thing about boxing, and in physique |
he was about equal to Johnson. They |
looked magnificent pair as they stood |
up together. Great interest was taken |
in the appearance of Johnson, though |
it was thought that he would simply |
play with the Australian. To the sur !
prise of everyone on board, however,
The Australian lasted FIVE rounds, sue
eeeded in drawing blood from the
black, and giving him several nasty
blows about the face. Johnson, how
ever, settled matters in the sixth
round with Knockout blow.
May Box Bill Squires.
ga match which is likely to create
/ great amount of interest throughout
Australia is on the taps. Efforts are
being made to bring johnson and Aus
.ralian champion Bill Squires togeth-
II. Prior to leaving Sydney on his
present tour of New Zealand, Squires
rave H. D. Mcintosh power to ar
'ange the meeting, if the colored man
vas agreeable. When the proposition
vas put to him at Fremantle, John
ION assented, and stated that Squires
ide-stepped him on previous oeca
ion, but the would be only too pleased
o meet the Australian. Immediately
pon the receipt of that information
n Sydney a cable was despatched to
'quires, offering him a fight in Sgd
ley on December /. He was request
d to name his terms, and informed
hat if they were reasonable there
would be no delay in completing ar
for the meeting. Up to
he present a reply has not been re-
eived from Squires. but as he is anx-
Gus for the meeting it is almost GER