The Washington times., 1915-04-05
Defeated Tommy Burns in Aus
traIia for Title, and Then Put
Jim Jeffries Away.

Jack Johnson, probably one of the
most finished boxers in the heavyweight
ranks, was born in. Galveston. Tex, on |
March 81, 1878, and therefore, was
thirty seven years old last Wednesday.
The champions professional ring ca
reer began In 1901, when he knocked out
Charley Brooks In Galveston In two
rounds, and in all the years he has been
fighting since then only one decisive
defeat was scored against him. Joe
Choynski was the man to knock john
son out In three rounds. but this was
In 1901, when he was just starting on his
career and was a pslpable novice. while
Choynski wss one of the cleverest OF
the heavyweights of that time.
In his long career as pugfiist ohn-
son has suffered many ups and Downs
and was never able to gain the recogni,
tion his ability entitled him TO until
about ten years ago. when the fact was
made apparent that he could give any
man in the world battle for the high
est honors in pugilism.
went through the ranks Of all the other
heavyweight of his day. and In every
case came out Of the contests with
| victory or draw.
| In 1905 he fought Marvin Hart a
twenty-round bout in San Francisco,
losing the decision. Hart. who had been
handed the title of heavyweight cham
pion by Jim Jeffries. upon the latter,
| retirement, was decisively beaten by
johnson. according to competent critics
at the ringside. but all the money was
on Hart and the referee decided In his
favor. a..
courage Johnson, and he kept right
on meeting and defeating the best
men that could be persuaded to meet
him. Joe jeanette. Sam Langford
l.Sam Mcvey and Young Peter jackson
Iwere among those who were beaten by
the giant Texas negro. .
Langford, a welterweight In 1905
when he met johnson, almost knocked
the present champion. out In the sec;
and outpointed him in the late,
rounds. About this time he began tc
clamor for match with Tommy
Burns, who had won the title by de
feating Marvin Hart.
|, Burns refused to listen to the chal
lenge, and Johnson began a round-the
world chase in an effort to draw hin
into the ring. He went to Australia
knocking out Peter Felix and Bill
Lang in short order. and then CAM
back to the United States and put ;
: ietus on the comeback hopes Of Bol
Fitzsimmons.
johnson and Sam Fitzpat trick, hi
at this time, but they borrowed
enough to get to London. where Burn
was reaping the fruits that went will
carrying the title. AS soon as johnson
arrived in England. however. Burn
hied himself to Australia, where h
I defeated a number Of third-raters. AL
though IL was hard scraping. johnson
and his manager got together suffci
ept money to pay their passage I
Sydney, and again issued challeng
! to Burns.
: Cornercd at last. the white champio
{ made known his terms. ArticNs wer
I signed for a twenty-round bout, with
purse OF $4,000 as the prize. but of thi
Burns insisted he must receive $50 0o
win. lose or draw. Johnson. conflder
of his ability to defeat Tommy. agree
TO the conditions.
The men met on December 25, 1903. q
) Ruchcutter's Bay Stadium, and tn
negro, after toying with little Burn
throughout the battle, won the chan
pionship when the police stopped til
!. | rght, with Burns reeling and helples
\ iIf the fourteenth round.
! Pocketng his share of the purs
!. Johnson gave Fitzpatrick the slip an
y went to California, where he began I
defy Jeffries, the undefeated retire