The Washington herald., 1910-07-04
JACK JOHNSON.

he fought Langford at long range and
got d decision on scientific points, but it
is a noteworthy fact that Johnson never
was willing 20 get into the ring with
Langford again. Before that year ended
Johnson met Jeanette three times, twice
for six rounds and once for ten, each
bout being a good draw.
Johnson went TO Australia in 1897 and
on February Is he knocked out Peter
Felix at Sydney in a round. He also
Squelched Bill Lang at Melbourne in nine
rounds, and then came back to this coun-
try with a reputation. He took on the
ancient Fitzsimmons over in Philadelphia
in July and beat the Cornishman down
and out in two rounds. Fitz was a back
number at that time and couldn't whip a
lightweight. Sam Fitzpatrick. who had
managed Peter Jackson and Kid Lavigne.
was Johnson's mentor then. and he took
the big negro 10 the Coast, where he
knocked out Fireman Jim Flynn in
eleven rounds at Colma. Tommy Burns
had beaten Hart for the heavyweight
championship meanwhile. and Fitzpatrick
was on his TRAN with repeated chal-
ienges on behalf Of johnson. But Burns,
evidently wise to the fact that Johnson
was a dangerous man, ignored him and
went 10 England, where he beat such
dubs as Gunner NOR, Jack Palmer, and
Jem Roche.
Johnson didn't have q dollar at that
time, but Fitzpatrick borrowed money
from several friends in this city and took
the negro TO London, where he again
challenged Burns. The French-Canadian
however, turned deaf ear and hurried &c
France, where he stopped poor old Bill
Squires in eight rounds. Burns pro-
eeeded to Australia with all possible
speed and again beat Squires down and
out in thirteen rounds. Then he stopped
Bill Lang in six rounds. and was q hero
in the estimation of his manager, Hugh
Mcintosh, and the Australian sporting
public.
Broke In England.
During his stay IN England Johnson
beat Al Mcnamara in four rounds at
Plymouth and also knocked out Ben
Taylor in eight rounds. Fitzpatrick by
this time was determined to follow Burns
TO Australia, but he was fat broke. He
got assistance. however, from several
members of the National Sporting Club
of London. Johnson signing an agreement
10 come back there IN May, 1909 to fight
Sam Langford regardless of the result OF
the expected battle with Burns
When Johnson and Fitzpatrick arrived
In Sydney they were informed that If
they wanted a fight with Burns they
would have TO accept the latter's terms.
They agreed readily. for they were con-
fident Of success, so articles were signed
for a twenty-round fight for a $50 geo
purse, of which Burns share was $S0, 600,
win. lose, or draw. They came together
in Rushcutter's Bay Stadium on Deem
Der 25. 1905. before 10000 spectators. john
son WAS s 81 inches taller and at least
forty pounds heavier than Burns, yet the
latter ruled favorite in the betting
as the fight progressed it was apparent
that Burns was a mere toy In the hands
of the big negro, who knocked him down
in the second round. Johnson took his
own time after that and tantaiized Burns
with cutting jabs in the face and many
sarcastic remarks. Burns had declared be-
fore the mill that Johnson possessed a
yellow streak, SO that every time Johnson
landed a telling wailop he reminded Tom
my Of his unkind remarks. In the four
teenth round. when Burns was on the
verge of a knockout and Referee McIn-
tosh was about ready to save the little
white man himself. the Sydney police
/ jumped into the ring and stopped the fight
Burns was all battered up. His eyes were
closed, and he was literally cut to rib