Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-12-26

SYDNEY, N s. W.. December 20 moon
Australian time).-Big Jack johnson Of
America today won the heavyweight
championship of the world from Tommy
Burns, the French-Cana fighter, in
the fourteenth round of their scheduled
twenty-round battle at Rushcutters bay.
The fight was stopped in that round by
the police.
At 1912 am. Johnson entered the
arena, accompanied by his seconds, Sam
Fitzpatrick, Mullins. Unholz. Lang and
Bryant. Wild cheers greeted him, and
the big black man turned and bowed to
all four sides of the ring.
Burns Loudly Applauded.
Just as Johnson took his seat Burns
appeared. He was smiling, and the plaud-
Its Of the spectators were even more en-
fhusiastic than those accorded Johnson.
Burns took up his position In the western
corner of the ring. surrounded by his Sec
onds. Heating, O'Keefe ODonnell, Burke
and Russell.
When the cheering had died down
somewhat Johnson crossed over and shook
Burns by the hand. The Canadian
and noticed that both were covered with
bandages. Fearful that perhaps they
might not be of the soft surgical kind
he scrutinized them closely. but, finding
them to his satisfaction. he made no OBJ
lection.
The announcement was made that II
during the contest the police should in
terfere and stop it, the referee would
Immediately give decision based on
points scared.
When Burns stripped it was noticed he
w&fe elastic bandages about his elbows
johnson shouted across the ring. half
angrily, You must take those of. Then
the men met in the center of the ring
and for few minutes argued the ques-
ton. Then they retired again to their
corners, but Burns did not remove the
bandages.
Burns Gives Way.
From Johnson's seconds came the an
nouncement that their man refused to
fight unless Burns took of the wraps
around his elbows and 1t looked as though
there was a possibility of the fight not
taking place, for Burns was stubborn
and johnson insistent on his point. The
referee, however, here took hand In the
controversy and said that the wearing of
bandages was not against the rules. john
son still demurred, nevertheless, and
Burns with show Of impatience had his
seconds unwind the tape. His action
brought forth from the spectators a
tremendous round of applause.
At Ills o'clock Johnson and Burns
posed for a moving picture machine and
having received final instructions from
Referee Mcintosh. retired to their corners.
Then the battle began.
Burns Floored in the First.
First round-After a few moments Of
preliminary sparring Johnson reached
Burns with sharp uppercut and the
Canadian went to the floor, remaining
there for the count of eight. He signaled
to his seconds that he was all right, how
ever. and when he rose sailed in for john
sons body. johnson swung hard right
70 the head and Burns staggered back
ward nearly across the ring from the i'm
pact of the blow. Then Burns, rushing
in. planted a right of great force on john
sons chin and by an excellent display OF
nevertheless managed to put through a
etinging left to the head at the sound of
the gong.
Johnson's in the Second.
Second round-When the gong changed
johnson yelled across to the approaching
Burns: Come right on!' and he swung
his right and landed hard on Burns chin
The champions ankle gave way under
him and he went down. He was up i'm
mediateiy, however. and johnson got to
right and left to face and body. Burns
left eye commenced to swell
Johnson thus far had the better Of the
battle. The big black man was coming
all the time, and he swung terrific left
into Burns stomach. Burns was doing
little. He was bleeding from the mouth
and apparently was tired. The men
clinched as the bell rang.
Third round-Burns swung his right to
Johnson's head and then did some won-
nor mi 0f inf {n0 nhr mi, q
his fright to the ribs frequently. John
son during the round landed some ter
rifle blows to the kidneys.
Wary In the Fourth.
Fourth round-When the men met In the
right into Burns ribs The men talked
wildly to each other, each seemingly in
tent upon getting the other excited and
landing the money-winning punch. Dur
ing the jeering they spared fierce1y. but
few blows were struck. Then johnson
swung his left to the body and Burns
brought right to head. Johnson. closing
in. threw terrific right and left to the
head of the Canadian. The bell found
the men in hard clinch.
Fifth round-Appa-ently refreshed from
his minutes rest. Burns started the round
sbriskly. landing his right on Jollnson's
head and punching the body with both
hands. Johnson managed to slip over a
few rights to the head during the round.
johnson BUSHES Burns.
Sixth round-Johnson rushed and Burns
clinched. Breaking loose. however, with
one hand. johnson swung his right a
dozen times into the white mans ribs.
Burns 5olted Johnson's body frequently
and swung his right hand over the ribs
and put a stiff left to the stomach several
. times.
johnson. however. treated these blows
as joke. laughing at the crowd and
making sarcastic remarks to his opponent
as he hustled Burns into a corner and
scored couple of rights to the body.
Seventh round-Johnson rushed Burns
across the ring. dealing out rights in
which there was no mercy. Burns got q
left to Johnson's jaw and Johnson raised
a lump under Burns right eye in return.
Burns here seemed to be losing strength.