The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1908-03-20

Dublin. March 17.-Tommy Burns,
the American heavy weight champ
ion, made short work OF Jem Rocne,
the Irish champion, in their contest
tonight at the theatre Royal for the
worlds heavy weight championship.
Practically only n blow was struck
by Burns knocking Roche out, waen
hardly more than a minute OF the
, first round had been completed, by q
short hook on the jaw. So success
fully did the end come that the greds
crowd which filled the theatre in the
expectation of seeing Irishman put
no a good fight for the title hardly
realized what nae happened.
When the men entered the ring II
was evident that the sluggish Roche
was no match for the more expcr-
fenced Burns. They spared for less
than a minute, the Irishman acting
altogether ON the defensive and the
American ~endeavoring to find an op-
ening. Then Burns tented and quick
~ put a short sharp right to the jaw
and Roche went down. He was badly
dazed and although he struggled to
regain his feet vas unable to do SO
before the fatal ten was counted.
Immediately after the count, Roche
got to his feet, but staggered about
the stage. When he had recovered
himself he went over smilingly to
congratulate the winner.
The fight tonight was for a purse
of $500 which was put up by a
syndicate of which Richard Croker.
the former Tammany leader, was a
member, and a side bet of $500. In
addition, Burns had $1,000 on himself
at odds of 3 to /. The ringside bet
ting was Z to 2 on the American.
The blow which decided the fight
was the only one of any consequence
during the minute and thirty-eight
seconds the men were in the ring.
The crowd which shortly before
had cheered Roche to the echo and
greeted him with airs From Wex
ford" were so taken back that aftel
a fe wangry Kisses they went quietly
out of the theatre. Burns said Of the
fight that it was the easiest he had
aver had. He had expected that the
fight would go a few rounds, IL
though he was never in doubt as to
the final result.
Burns stated that he was willing
to give Roche another chance. He is
now considering an offer PROVISIONAL
ly made by the Dublin syndicate for
a match with bill" Squiras, under
similar terms. There were seats in
the theatre for 5000 and every one
was occupied. Roche received a great
reception when he entered smiling
II with confident air. Burns who
had been watching the preliminary
bouts, strolled casually to the ring
to the air of The Star Spangled
Banner" He also was we'll received,
but the reception of the fighters
was Insignificant compared with that
given Richard Croker when the mas
ter of ceremonies announced that it
was largely through the efforts Of
the former Tammany leader hat
Roche was able to enter the con-
test.
Mr.. Croker, who was in u box, had
to acknowledge tremendous cheer
ing.
On the stroke of the gong Burns
jumped to the centre of the ling,
which was an 1S-foot affair, and
started his usual tactics Of trying
to draw out his opponent. This
seemed to annoy Roche who anSrily
struck down Burns arm and then
covered his face with both gloves to
protect it from a threatened blow.
Burns a moment later Tented with
his left and shot his right over to
the jaw which was entirely unpro-
tected. The Irishman went to the
canvas but not heavily.
He slid on his side and then rolled
over, face downward5. Very few Of
the spectators, even those On the
stage, were quick enough to see how
it was done, and there we're cries of
fake" /
There was no doubt, however, that
Roche went in to do his best, but
he was o~utclassed. Roche said to-
right:
HI did it too quick, that's ALL"
SENATOR WHITE DEAD