Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-03-18
2 BLOWS STRUCK
And Tommy Burns is Champion
ofIreland as Well as
Rest of World.
ONE PUNCH SETTLES ROCHE
ale Did 1t Too Quick, That's AL"
Defeated Ones Comment
Crowd SoreIy Disappointed.

Dublin. March 1S.-Tommy Burns,
the American, retained his title of
worlds heavyweight champion by
knocking out Jem Roche, the cham
pion of ireland, with a single punch
at the Theater Royal here last night.
One minute and twenty-eight seconds
6f the first round were required by
Burns TO settle the fight. which was
for a purse of $500 and a side bet of
So, 500
The men met at catchweights I'M
der Queensberry rules before a crowd
o. 5000, the capacity of the theater.
The experienced patrons did not doubt
Burns would win, but looked for an
interesting battle. The majority of the
Irishmen present backed Roche plen-
tifully at odds of ? and 3 to l, in the
belief he would hold Burns off for six
rounds or SO and then knock him out.
Their disbursement was as speedy
as disagreeable.
Felt out His Man.
On the stroke of the gong Burns
Jumped to the center of the ring and
started his usual tactics of trying to
draw out his opponent. This seemed
to annoy Roche, who angrily struck
down Burns arm and then covered
lis face with both gloves to protect
| il from a threatened blow Burns.
however, was looking for better
chance. An instant later he tented
with his left and shot a short hook
right over to the jaw, which was en-
ti.ely unprotected. The Irishman
went 10 the canvas, but not heavily.
He slid along on his side and then
rolled over. face downward, until
counted out. Few of the spectators,
even those on the Stage, were quick
enough to see how it was done, and
there were cries of ''Fake!'
Did His Best.
There was no doubt that Roche
went in to do his best, but he was
outclassed and altogether too slow
for man of Burns quicllness and
ring craft.
Immediately after the count Roche
sot to his feet, but staggered about
the stage. When he had recovered
himself he went over smilingly tc
congratulate the winner.
The blow which decided the fight
was the only onee of any consequence
during the minute and thirty-eigh
seconds the men were in the ring
: The crowd, which shortly before haC
cbeered Roche to the echo and greet
ed him with airs from Wexford,
were so taken aback that after few
, angry Kisses, they went quietly on
OF the thedter
Burns said of the fight that it wa
7 the easiest ne had ever had. He wen
, il to make it as short as possible. a
re had too much money at stake a
long odds to take any chances. II
8 had expected. however, tho figh
> would go few rounds, although h
, was never in doubt as to the fina
result
Burns stated ne was willing to Civ
Roche another chance if sufficient il
ducements were forthcoming. He i
Low considering an offer PROVISIONAL
made by the Dublin syndicate for
match with Bill Squires under tn
same terms as that with Roche
Roche said after he had got owe
some of the suddenness of his defeat
He did it too quick. that's ALL"
k Fatal Fight in Missouri.
ST Joseph, Mo-, March 1S.-Lec
Alien, local prize fighter, died too !,
from injuries received last night in
boxing match with Fritz Gutzenberge
i professionally known as Young Rhode
y Rhodes was arrester.
n Hart Wins ON Foul.
II Hot Springs, Ark, March 1S-Ma
e vim Hart of Louisville was yesterda
L lafternoon awarded the decision IN I'll
fourth round over John Willie of Oh
e lcago, on a foul. The men had agree
3 to break clear Immediately followin
s a clinch and as Hart was steppin
/ back unprotected Willie swung a han
e fright to the ear, sending Hart spraw