BOXING.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLI, Issue 19, 4 November 1908, Page 15

BOXING.

To Fight Tommy Burns. A DELIGHTED PUGILIST. “BURNS HAS BEEN ROASTED.” LONDON, September 18. A couple of days ago Jack Johnses signed his contract to fight the champion, Tommy Burns, in Australia, for a purse of £7OOO, and the heavyweight ehampinonship of the world. The assemblage was small, but it was big with excitement. Johnson could not conceal his delight; he was dancing with excitement. ’ His trainer, Sam Fitzpatrick, was equally joyful, and the big black pugilist and his trainer had reason for their high spirits. For years Johnson's great fighting talent has been recognised liy the world, but for years his challenges have been ignored J>y the heavyweights who have worn the belt. There is no brag about Johnson, despite his notorious anxiety to get into the ring with Burns, and his oft-expressed

confidence that be can give the famous little Canadian the light of his life. He is a big, modest fellow, 5J inches -higher than Burns, standing just over Gft. Ho will outweigh Burns by over a stone. “Glad!” lie exclaimed. "Aren't I just? Isn’t this what I’ve wanted for years. Again and again I’ve challenged the champions, and they've refused n>«. You remember I went to Sydney to try and get Squires, but all they could give me was big Felix.” Johnson smiled at the recollection of that momentary Felix encounter, which will be fresh in the memory of Sydney’ sportsmen. "Why has Burns climbed down?” continued the fighter. “Well, I think it is • •simple enough. He couldn’t go on claiming the championship and at the same time refusing to fight me. It looks as though he were afraid to go back to America without having taken me on. The Australian press have been barracking for me, and have roasted Burns pretty freely. lie either had to tight me or retire. And now I Will give him his due before he quits the business.” “Burns says it is to be his last match ?” “Yes,” said Johnson, “and mighty glad I am that it is to be with me. It’s a long way to Australia, and I should not make the trip if I thought I would get the light side of the purse, though even that will lie fair money.” “You think, then, you can beat Burns?” The answer was full of confidence. “Yes, that is why I am going to Australia. Otherwise I should not have hunted him round the world. Haven’t I chased him through the States and followed him over here? Of course, all sorts of things happen in a fight, and I may be mistaken, but I have no fear of Burns; £7OOO is a lot of money, but this fight will be a big thing. Like Burns, I am out after money. We will, of,' course, box in daylight, and if the fight goes to a decent length, the pictures taken of it should be worth a lot. That is another inducement, yon see.” Johnson isn’t much of a talker, but the general opinion hero is that he will give Burns the battle of his life, although English sportsmen who have seen the Canadian at work go into raptures ebout his marvellous combination of

brains, pace, and punch. Johnson t. said to have been so keen for 1 his light, that he offered to put up a big wager to stop Burns inside of 20 rounds.

“Do I like my chance?” added Johnson. "How can I do otherwise? Still, it will be no walk-over for either of us. I am not out merely for the money and the title; 1 want just to give Burns the chance for discovering that yellow streak which he has so often accused nte of possessing. I shall tight in the best possible condition, ami. with an even .break, my friends will get a run for their money.*’ In view of all the adverse comment about the reluctance of Burns to meet the coloured man. the follow ing statement, made bv the Canadian in London just before he left for Australia, is interesting:—•.*l’ll light Jack Johnson.’’ he said, "as sure as 1 am standing here. Only a few years ago I was a poorly boy, earning a few dollars a week, so I know the worth of money. I realise that I cannot remain in this business al! mv life, and I intend to make hay while the sun shines. I will give Johnsort what no other ehampion has done—that of giving a coloured boxer a chance of winning the championship: but. as I have before stated, the purse I box for must be worth my while." Apparently, Burns considers .£700(1 “worth his while.” London sportsmen think so. too. It comes rather as a surprise to followers of the ring here that such a purse can bo put up in Australia. “The people of Sydney,” said a sporting writer yesterday, "must be powerful fond of fighting, or else possessed of a powerful lot of cash.” Tiifi interest in the announcement that the two men are to meet is extraordinary. The only regret is that the contest is not to take place here. Boxing Championship. Reginald (“Snowy") Baker, of New South Wales, won the fir-t heat in the middle-weight division of the Olympic boxing ehampionship contests, knocking out Dees, the ex-champion, in thy second In the final, J. W. H. T. Douglas, the ex-ehampion,'beat Baker on points, after a splendid, fight. Baker went down for five .seconds: in the second round. x . ■

Mr. Johnson is delighted at the prospect of meeting Mr. Burn*. In an in'r-. ziew with a Press representative at Fremantle, Mr. Johnson said: •'Tommy i- a good little man, but jou won’t find him walking tip and hitting JohUron when ho likes. There will be too touch Johnson.”