Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-03-18
Tommy Burns Finds Jem
Roche an Easy Victim.
Roche Apparently UnhuTt After
Being Counted Out.
Willie Loses on Foul to Marvin Hart
at Hot Springs.

Dublin. March 17.-TOmmy Rurns, the
American heavy weight champion, made
short work of Jcm Roche the Irish
champion. in their contest this evening
at the Theatre ROYAL for the worlds
heavyweight championship. Practically
only one blow was struck. Rurn. knock
ing out Roche when hardly more than Il
minute Of the round had Leen completed
bv Il short hook To the jaw. So quickly
did the end come that the great crowd
which filed the theatre in the eXpecta-
ton of seeing the II shman put w good
fight for the title. hardly realized what
had happened.
When the men entered the ring it was
evident that the sluggish Roche was no
match for the more experienced Burns.
They SPARED for less than a minute, the
Irishman &ciinG altogether on the de-
fensivc and tine American cndcavOrinfs To
find ar opening. Then Burns Tented and
quickly put short, sharp right to the
jaw ana Roche went down. He was had
ly dazed and although ne struggled to re-
gain his feet, was unable to do So before
the fatal 20 was counted.
Immediately after the count Roche got
to his feet but staggered about the
stage. When he had recovered himself
he went Smillngly to congratulate the
winner. He had met better man.
The fight tonight was for a purse of
S7500. which was put up by syndicate
of which Richard Croker, the former
Tammany leader, was n member. and
side bet of 5000. In addition Burns had
5000 on himself at odds of to /.
The ringside betting was to on the
American.
The blow which decided the fight was
the only one of any: consequence during
the minute and So seconds the men We're
in the ring. The crowd which shortly
before had cheered Roche to the echo and
greeted him with airs from Wexford"
We're taken back that after a few
angry Kisses they went quickly out of
the theatre.
Burns said of the fight that it was the
easiest he had ever had. He meant. he
added, to make it as short as possible az
he Lad too much money at stake at long
odds 10 take any chances. He had ex-
Dected, however, that the fight would go
few rounds, although he was never in
doubt as to the final result.
Burns stated that he was willing to give
Roche another chance if sufficient induce
ments We're forthcoming. He is now con-
sidering an offer made by the Dublin
syndicate for a match with Bill
Squires under the same terms as that
with Roche
The scene in the theatre was n remark
able ono. There We're seats for 5000 and
every one was occupied. 1t was most
enthusiastic crowd and Roche received a
great reception when he entered. smiling
and with confident air. The orchestra
struck M THE Boys of Wexford" the
spectators joining the chorus. Burns
who had been watching the preliminary
bouts. strolled casually to the ring to the
air of Tine Star Spangled Banner" He
was also we'll received. but the reception
of the fighters was insignificant as COM
pared with that given Richard Croker,
when the master of ceremonies ANNOUNCE
Ell that it was largely through the eff
forts of the former Tammany leader that
Roche was able to enter the contest.
Nh. Croker, who was in box at the
ringside, had to acknowledge the ire
mendous cheering that greeted him. Be.
fore the audience had puieted the two
heavy weights came to the ring N their
street clothes. and n quarter of an hour
was occupied in making preparations for
the fight.
On the stroke Of the gong Burns jump
ed to the ceEter Of the ring, which was
an 8-foot affair. and started his usual
tactics of trying to draw out his opnon-
ent. This seemed to annoy Roche. who
hnsrilv struck down Burns arms and
'heh covered his face with his gloves to
protect from n threatened blow. Burns,
however was looking for a better chance |
and moment later he tented with his |
Continued on Page Five.)