BOXING.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLIII, Issue 7, 18 August 1909, Page 11

BOXING.

Tommy Burns Injured. Tommy Burns, the ex-champion boxer, gave an entertainment at Palmerston North last week, when he subsequently declared that he felt better thou ever before. He skipped

gave an eaten, lament here when he caosequeady derfannl that ha felt better than ever before. He skipped and shadow-sparred better khan in Wellington, and boxed ■ real lively clip with both his sparring partners. In boxing O’Donnell, the latter slipped and fell on Bums, reopening the old ankle sprain badly, which had hurt him with Johnson. The doctor declares that it will probably be a fortnight, or longer, before Bums can do anything, and he proposes to go to Rotorua for treatment, as it would be impossible for him to take up his Southern dates st present. BURNS ACCEPTS LEKS’ CHALLENGE In Wednesday’s issue of the Auckland “Star” a challenge to Tommy Burns by Tom Lees, ex-heavy-weight ehampion of Australia, to a match for four or six rounds for £2OO a-side, was published. Burns has promptly accepted the challenge, the “Star’s” sporting writer having received the following acceptance, accompanied by a cheque for £2OO, from Burns, posted while on the way to Rotorua after the mishap at Palmerston North:—

(To Sporting Editor of “Star.”) Sir, —I have just seen the challenge from T. I.ees in your paper of the 11th inst., while on the train on iny way to Rotorua. I will be only too glad to box Mr Lees for the £2OO, and am sending cheque to cover Mr Lees’ money. I will guarantee not to knock Mr Lees out under any consideration, but will box him four or six rounds, just to show the public how good a boxer Mr Tom Lees is.— I am, etc., A LONG REST UNAVOIDABLE. Tommy Burns and party went to Rotorua by the express on Thursday. The doctor has informed Burns that he must rest his leg for some ten days, and it would be better if he did so for a couple of months, so that it may mean the complete abandonment of his New Zealand tour. Burns says that his leg feels just as it did when he had it bad in the Johnson match. He had intended visiting Rotorua in the summer with Mrs. Burns, having heard so much of it in Australia.