The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-12-26

spectators were even more enthusiastic
than those accorded Johnson. Burns
took up his post in the western corner
of the ring. surrounded by his seconds,
Heating. O'Keefe, ODonnell, Burke and
Russell. When the cheering had died
down somewhat Johnson crossed over
and shook Burns by the hand. Ihe
| Canadian glanced at the big mauleys
| of the Texan and noticed both were
| covered with bandages. Fearful that
! they might not be of the soft surgical
kind, he scrutinized them closely, but
finding them to his satisfaction he made
no objection
| The announcement was made that if
during the contest the police interfered
and stopped it the referee would imme-
diately give decision based on points
| scored.
| When Burns stripped it was noticed
that he wore elastic bandages about his
| elbows. Johnson shouted across the ring
half angrily. You must take those
of the ring and for a few minutes ar
! gued the question. Then they retired
| again to their corners, but Burns did
not remove the bandages.
! From Johnsons seconds came the an
! nouncement that their man refused to
fight unless Burns took off the wrap
ping around his elbows and II looked
| as though there was a possibility OF the
| fight not taking place for Burns was
| stubborn and Johnson insistent on the
point The referee, however, here took
| a hand in the controversy and SAID the
wearing of bandages was not against
| the rules.
| johnson still demurred and Burns
with show of Impotence had his sec
onds unwind the tape. His action
brought forth from the spectators a ire
mendous round of applause.
At HIS o'clock Johnson and Burns
posed for moving picture machine and
had received final instructions from
referee Mcintosh and retired to their
corners.
The battle then began.
The Fight by Rounds.
| First round-After a few moments
of preliminary sparring Johnson
| reached Burns with a sharp uppercut
and the Canadian went to the floor
remaining there for the count OF eight
He signaled to his seconds that ne
was all right, however, and when he
arose sailed in for Johnson's body
Johnson swung a hard right to the
head and Burns staggered backward
nearly across the ring from the i'm
pact of the blow. Then Burns, rush
ing in planted a right of great force
on Johnson's chin and by excellent
! display of boxing warded off a return
Johnson, nevertheless, managed to
put through a singing left to the
head at the sound of the gong.
Second round-When the gong
changed johnson yelled across to the
and he swung his right and landed on
Burns chin. The championS ankle
, gave way under him and he went
! | down. He was up Immediately, how
ever, and Johnson got to close quarters
with him and placed his right and left
to the face and body Burns left eye
= commenced to swell. Johnson thus
4 far had the better of the battle The
i big black man was coming into Burns
L / stomach Burns was doing but little.
/ He was bleeding fom the mouth and
$ apparently was the tired one. The
men clinched as the bell rang.
e Third round-Burns swung his right
, to Johnson's head and then did some
wonderful execution at mitigating,
chopping his right to the ribs frequent
". Johnson during the round landed
: some terrific blows to the kidneys.
Fourth round-When the men met
? in the center of the ring Johnson shot
a heavy right to Burns ribs The
! men talked wildly to one another, each
/ seemingly intent upon getting the
J other excited and landing the money
, winning punch. During the jeering
Z they spared fiercely, but few blows
: being struck. Then johnson swung
, left to the body and Burns brought
right to head. Johnson, closing in,
threw a terrific right and left to the
head of the Canadian. The bell found
the men in a hard clinch.
!. Fifth round-Apparently freshed
' from his minutes rest. Burns started
! the round briskly, landing his right on
: Johnson's head and punching the
lbody with both hands. Johnson man.