The sun., 1908-12-26

| foot affair pitched In the centr, or the
amphitheatre, which surrounded @ 4 ON on
ell sides and lowered aloft.
The city officials, fearing trouble had
large force OF police on hand at 0 o'clock,
and in that way perfect order was main
tained while the great crowd poured
through the entrances. Many Australian
reported that Premier Wade would be
at the rlnsside with several English
! nobleme-. who had box seats. and it
was also said that there would be no
interference. with the fight unless II turned
into, n rough and tumble affair or one
OF the men was In helpless condition.
Referee McInto osh was Instructed by the
police authorities to prevent brutality
and TO stop the mill the moment IL ceased
to be a scientific contest for points. d"
The entire amount Of the purse, 337 800,
which included money for picture privi-
leges and return tickets to London, was
posted In local bank some time ago
BY the terms Of the articles Of agree
ment Burns received $50. 600. win, lose
or draw, while Johnson's share was IS 600:
yet the negro willingly accepted the
short end for a chance to tackle the
| French Canadian.
| "hen Voihsoh aroso thls morning
he said that he was never better. Il
am stronger and faster than ever before. I"
said he. ~and l am going to show these
people why l chased Burns half way
around the world before cornered him
here. He is counterfeit and intend
to show him up. He has never beaten
agood man aud will be an easy mark.
Il will go to England after the fight and
will be in Amer.ol some time next year,
possibly In February 1 will meet all
comers too, as will defend the champion
ship against anybody who wants TO fight
me for it,. F,},..' -.
johnson weighed 200 pounds after his
patrick, that he would stop Burns inside
Of fifteen rounds. This has been the
negro's prediction ever since his arrival
here.
Burns had crowd OF friends and ad-
mirers at his training quarters at break
and said the fight would be merely a
cakewalk for him.
johnson is just another lemon he
said. 'and will make him show his yellow
streak in short order. He's never licked
anybody and is four1usher. A few
stiff punches in the stomach will make him
double up and quit. OF course the fight
will be on the level. Why shouldn't
it be? I've got an easy mark here, and I'll
prove Il The mill will mob last the limit.
and I'll win sure"
Tho men were matched to box twenty
rounds. Queensbury rules, with four
ounce gloves, for the heavyweight cham
agree on q referee until really yesterday
morning when Mcintosh was selected.
Mcintosh is a business man who has
long enjoyed the confidence of the sporting
public. and when it BECAME known
that he would be the third man in the
ring great satisfaction prevailed,
When the pugilists started for the
scene OF the battle they had to fight their
way 10 automobiles that were waiting
for them. All the way to the stadium
they were cheered by the crowds in the
highways and when they reached the
big structure much excitement prevailed.
johnson was attended by Sam Fitz-
patrick, Bill Lang. an Australian, and
several others. he looked confident and
at. As he shouldered his way to his
dressing room he was warmly applauded,
but his reception was nothing compared
with the ovation rendered TO Burns. The
latter had his secopds and trainers with
him and smiled in response to the roar
of welcome that went up for him.
/, The men both wore adhesive bandages
on their hands by mutual agreement.
They also wore breech clouts and black
fighting shoes. Burns did not say how
much he weighed, but to competent
JuuBoS Ht tOOkbu III uC WOuIu Iue
beam at about 175 pounds. The fight
was scheduled to begin at IL O'Clock
and it was close to that hour when the
men were ordered to come to the ring.
Once inside Of it the crowd quickly saw
how the men compared. Burns. stocky.
even chunky in build, was at least four
inches shorter than johnson, who lowered
over him like a giant Burne's power
full legs and compact body indicated un-
usual strength. whiie mis- phenomenaiiy
long reach made some Of the critics hken
him to a gorilla. He looked ft to go
any distance and to fight for his life,
johnson was bigger every way. He
was fully twenty-five pounds heavier.
and his appearance showed that h Q had
trained hard and faithfully. His mus
cular development was confined to his
back, chest, shoulders and arms. his
legs being small for such a big man.
The black man was cool and confident.
though he looked at Burns in any thing
but a good natured way. When they
shook hands 1t was with an apparent
feeling Of reluctance and as they equared
off the crowd sat motionless and silent. |
But riotous behavior soon predominated
and the widest excitement continued
until the fight was over.