BOXING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14820, 25 October 1911, Page 9

BOXING.

TOMMY BURNS IN AUCKLAND

TO FIGHT JACK JOHNSON.

Tommy Burns, ex-champion boxer of th# world, passed through Auckland yesterday on the mail steamer Makura, en route front Vancouver to Sydney. It is about 18 months ago since Burns left Australia, and during the interval lie has visited Canada, the United States of America, and Great, Britain. Burns is accompanied by Jim Clabby and Eddie Gabby, two young American pugilists. In conversation with a Herald reporter Burns said it was his intention to re-enter the boxing ring, and he was at present negotiating with a view to meeting Jack Johnson again. '' When I fought Johnson I' was smaller than I am now, and lie beat me in the clinches," added the exchampion, " but since then I have filled out. The only fight I want is one with Johnson, and if he will meet me in a 10iound encounter I think I have got the greatest chance of anyone in the world. I am feeling very well now, and have looked after myself lately." Burns added that before leaving Vancouver he communicated with Mr. Tex" Richards, the American fight promoter, asking him to arrange a match with Johnson, but no reply had yet been received. Although Burns is prepared to meet Johnson in any country he would prefer to fight in Australia, and he stipulates that the terms of the fight must provides gainst clinching.

Willing to Tight Here. Asked if there was any probability of him meeting Johnson in New Zealand, Burns said there was. " Australia has had all the best fights," he said, " while your country has been left out in the cold. Now, Auckland is a fine big city, and a fight between Jack Johnson and myself would no doubt draw a big crowd. But it is essential that we should have someone here who would come along with financial support, and if that person or persons can be found a fight between Johnson and I in New Zealand can be said to be a certainty —Auckland to be the scene of the encounter."

The Hops of the White Race. It will be remembered that Burns, whil# in America, discovered " the hope of the white race" in a youth named Jack LesterLester entered into a contract with Burns for 10 years, Burns to receive half of Lester's profits. Then, when Lester came to Australia he got a swelled head," said Burns, "and now he wants to leave me; but he can't, because I have been made his guardian by his parents, and he will have to stay with me." Burns said it was the trouble between he and Lester that necessitated his visit to Australia, but he thought the difficulty would be amicably settled. Jim and Ted Clabby. The Clabbys will spend about six months in Australia. Jim Clabby is well known in Australia, where he recently had a successful career. He is regarded' as about the best welter-weight boxer the States. Ted Clabby is a younger very shy— brother of Jim. He has been boxing about, six months, and has in that time had nine fights and nine wins, eight knock-outs being included in the list. His weight is 9st. ' • - ' , , ' ■ •; Reception to . Burns. A pleasant impromptu function, arranged by Messrs. J. Gleeson and H. McNeil, : was held at the Royal 1 Hotel yesterday at mid-day,' for the purpose of welcoming Burns and the Clabbys to Auckland. Several 1 speeches of welcome were given, and in the course of his reply Burns referred to his contemplated fight with Jack Johnson. ; He said >he was in 'fin® condition, and he thought he would beat the present champion. Those present were also the guests of Messrs. Gleeson and McNeil at luncheon. . s THE PAKNELL CARNIVAL. A boxing carnival - of more .than' ordinary interest, promoted by Mr. Y. Cliffe, under the auspices of the Northern Boxing Association, takes, place at the Oddfellows' Hall, Parnell, to-night. In addition to the bouts mentioned in Monday's issu<;, which are for trophies presented by Messrs, R. S. Briggs, F. Ballen, Wells, Davis, Ranger Bros.', and Major Plugge, a six-round, bout has been arranged between the well-known . professionals, A. Gault and J. Young, whoii should be a decidcdly interesting contest, "Munro, who is to wrestlo Dean Power for the amateur light-weigh championship, has arrived from the Waikato, and is expected to put up a good, showing. :; 3 , '•

Visit \to Police Barracks. A visit was paid , by. Tommy Burns and Jim and Ted Clabby to the gymnasium at the police barracks in O'Rorke-street yesterday afternoon. All the police officers who. were off duty, and a. number of civilians were present. . The > visitors gave an exhibition of ball-punching, and several games of handball were played. The most interesting item, however, 'was an exhibition _ spar. between the ' brothers Clabby. This was wsitched . with keen interest, and many good judges who were present declared that he bout* was the finest exhibition of scientific boxing that they had seen in Auckland.- . The visitors commented on the finely-equipped , gymnasium, the floor especially calling forth their commendation. Afterwards the visitors were taken round the ..city by Mr. J. C. Gleeson in a motor car, and the outing proved most enjoyable.