Burns-Johnson Fight.

Thames Star, Volume XLV, Issue 10608, 7 January 1909, Page 2

Burns-Johnson Fight.

A P-EIOUILIAII EXPLANATION.

With iregard to the recent BurnsJohnsion contest a Rotoruai doctor gives a striking reason why a> European boxer is always ait a. disadvaUr tuge agjaiuist a negro in such, a contest. The boxer, to explains, rivets his attention, on ihis opiponemit's face, and from the play of its features, and ©specially of the eyes, adduces where the next blow will be aimed, and is able to parry accordingly. The eye oif the Eluiropeaini stands' out clear against a light background, and its action is familiar and conductive to correct interpretation. The eye of the negro, oiii the other hand, . is much darker, closely resembling Its background, amd it is muohi more difficult to keep a fixed gaze- on the organ and initenprefe rigihitly its changes of expression. As the eye contains a larger .proportion of dark pigment tthami the Eiuropeain organ, it i.si able to offei' 'more resistance to the light, amd Kaansequenitly dilates mi the ex.ciitemenit of a fight in a way which is niisleadiinig, and almost uncanny. The racial peculiarities inidlicacted were considered by *his doctor quite sufficient dauisei to jusifcifiy the refusal of a white- man to meet a black antagonist in tWe ring. .■- ■■