1954-12-24 — Page 17

IT WAS REALLY BOXING DAY IN 1908

THE CHINA MAIL,

LEGALISED ASSAULT AND BATTERY UNTIL THE POLICE STEPPED IN

By DENNIS HART

Boxing Day. A day of goodwill. The time, in fact, for- giving Christmas boxes. December 26, 1908 really was Boxing Day, however, the day Jack Johnson became the world's first coloured Heavyweight Champion.

Boxing? Not in the true sense. The dethronement of reigning litle-holder Tommy Burns was legalised assault and battery; legalised, that is, until the 14th round when police invaded the ring to stop the fight.

brincas.

fought out in the season of good-volté lost 'e lazy drawl as he will, 1908, every word of the spat out the word "coward. pre-fight spte! came from the Who blame the negro?

(*(10 depth of two bitler hearta

Burns' action had the

stamp cowardico. Yet the 27-year-old French Canadian was no funk. ile did have a phobia about fury; it blazed nerost the world negro. He didn't think black

anet as Johnson

white should meet in the chusexi hi quntry over two continents,

ring

HATE INTO FURY

Publicity fanned bate

Crudgo fghts and ballyhoo | The Canadian refused, adding, son's, fought un a provincial ore part and parcel of the night an insult. Johmson's happy-go-bill. The two world litle con- Bui In the battle lucky expression hardened, his testants were present. O'Don- nell won. furn sneered. Johnson, fighting mod, had to be held back.

So the of

stage wus sct. Tho two men had trained harder than Over before. Now they faced each other, personal and raclul honour at stake, the eyes of 20,000 Australians on them, the eyes of the world on the result,

Burns,

with moon-shaped head.

6 luft of hair which flopped over the middle of his forchend and with his intense bycs, was known as boxing's Napoleon. Despite previous in- tibitions, he looked confident He was odds-on favourite, Bet-

If only he'd let the mafter rest there. But to cover up his phobia he went out of his way to healt Johnson. Iwo

The quarry, Burns Why an amazing ixxer, just topping five and half feel, he baked middleweight.

1311 Iver

yours he had been world heavy- weight champion, and defended the title sight funes.

Throughout those yours he had been doggod by the shadow of the six-fot Johnson, taunting und batin.

The staging match begas at their first meeting,

|

AGE-OLD LOGIC Burns had another reason for avoiding Johnson based on nge-old ring logic-money.

favour.

Later he frankly admittal, "Ing was 7-4 in the Canadian's was side-tracking Johnson. read in him a difcust

PARATI L wanted 10 master. Johnson of

Rs long as I could

make money at 10 live, and

In a Call-I had to formun hotul Buny had

Just signed to defend his title against | fighting Austrabu's B1 Squires. Johnson champlons don't

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This, however, was because Johnson would mony thought throw the night. Perhaps Burna thought so too.

WELL HE MIGHT

make money.

it was

in the opposite corner John- to son appened

fident. He was smiling

even more

con-

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 24, 1954,

J.

EQUALISER FOR THE VILLA

A gallant effort by Reynolds, the 'Spurs' goalie, is of no avail as Aston Villa's centre-forward, Dixon, scores the visitors' first and equalising goal at the match played at White Hart Lane-Reaterphoto,

Monday's Chances At The Valley

The Hongkong Jockey_Club's Sixth Race Meeting of the season will be spread over two days — Monday, December 27, and Saturday, January 1.

Each day's programme will consist of nine events; the first sadding bell will be rung at noon and the first race will commence promptly at 12.30 p.m.

The timin interval will follow on both days after the running of the Third Race (1.80 p.m.), and the first bell after tiffin will be rung at 2.80 p.m.

I'd known what starve,

and I wasn't going let it happen again.”

Beating Squires, Burns cameso-pleasant Johnson nie. Well chances; to England. Johnson followed.

cutweighed He Burns met England's burly Gun- ner Moir and duly knocked him out in ten rounds.

But it was Judinson England wanted to see, man was

dea).

The coloured gelling a raw With rodillanal love of tho underdog. English fans took to This, with his wonderful

itra.

jappearance, made him a public

he

#

O'Gold

Here are my estimates of the eventual winner. Pot that

has properly tuned up for this meeting and I feel it will have a very good chance of account ing for this 'race.

and that

FIRST RACE

Diana is a fast mover and can be depended

upon to mako light of it.

Hiram C is fast over this dis- tance and it should certainly

be well backed,

Highlight, although given top weight of 159 lbs., is not to be counted out of the race.

แ

(Mr C. L'are Triomphe Liu) will undoubtedly be made hot favourite, and on form should certainly have a good chance of winning.

Caesar (Mr Botelho) is the next best

Beautiful bet, bui Star (Mr Tsal) is not to be ignored as this pony is quita dependable over this distanco,

First

Edition (Mr Samarcų) and Winning Rush (Mr H. P. Chanson) are quite good over this distance and will be near at the Anish. +

migli

Thurles liandicap: One Mite Burns by 102 pounds 10 108;

The opening race on Monday every ounce stood for power,

is confined to Class & ponies with ease und grace. He was box-novice jockeys as ing's black panther

In my riders. estimation the result will be night he was as alert as a wild decided between Bitter Sweet animal ready to pounce on

(Mr Robert Luk), Angelic prey

Power (Mr U Kum-lun), First Napoleon? Johnson, despite Lady (Mr Cham Sui-leun) and squalid upbringing, hadThunder Sky (Mr H. W. Mok). edugated himself. He had Judging from its last outing studied Napoleon, and his fall. when it came in third in the

THIRD RACE "Seconds out the ring," eplied Obelisk Hill Handicap at the 3rd

Race Meeting over the two mile Epsom Handicap (Fiest Bection): promoter-referee Hugh McIntosh.

Ono Mila This fight was on.

post, Bitter Sweet has the best

This race will be contested by Before Burns had ma to chance of scoring a win here

Class 6 ponies, Comet, ridden think, w Johnson left pierced his with Angelic Power and First

by Mr Albert Lam, come serond People said he was deliberately guard. It was not hard blow.Lady as the main opposition.

in tho I would, however, recommend

Midlothian Handicap But it foretold the course of the keeping Thunder Sky in mind us

over six furlongs at the 4th Burns was due to appear on contest

Johnson, hitting

Race Meeting, carrying 147. lbs. music

hall the way

many hard as he pleased, Burns, the pony is coming along nicely at morning gallops and may

It will be taken out by Mr fighters boosted ring earnings. human punch bag.

possibly create an upset.

Oliveira on Monday and with SECOND RACE

a weight of another 3 lbs added

have no Galway Handicap: From 1 Mile Post I think it has a good chance of

This sprint event is conflued | winning.

The follow- to Class 3 ponies.

VICTO),

Burua was scorned. He did not conscul to fight Johnet-for £0.000. This WA3 zn un proceclented purse in England and only made things Worse,

dodging the night.

......

have

With his popularity at zero it

The challenger could seemed a disinal, possibly dan taken the lie in two rounds. gerous, venture, So he cabled But having chased his man half

· America for 1,000 copies of box-

way across the world, he wanted his money's worth, to give Burns American purses, and gave them away.

SHREWD MOVE

ing record books, quoting big

It was

He

but

a boxing lesson he would never furget

Round

afler round it went on. Burns to his credit, didn't coming in. give up. He kept But his attacks had the desper

beating at Д and the Garne

a shrewd move. was forgiven. Be fought again in London, then in Dublin, Paris and in Australia. He continued

tion of a child slanging Johnson verbally.

closed fight him. he would not fight

door, Johnson, however, determined effect

all the to get

Austria.

breame could

challenge.

hiy

NO

FYLIN

Be

He stuck out for his £6,000.

Rul

*x-

SIXTH RACE

Leapardstown Handicapi From 134 Mile Post Looking over the entries this event I don't think there is much doubt that Charleroi (Mr C. L Llu) will win, unleas of the ordinary something cut happens,

Hallmark (Mr should

taking second place,

•

Samarcq) difficulty in

A good struggle should en- The strongest opposition will ing should be prominent: Pot come from Armament (Mr Pih), sue between Skylon (Mr Boy- O'Gold (Mr H.K. Chuang), although

unplaced the lastcott) and Star-glo (Mr Kwak) Diana (Me Wel), Hiram C (My time

for third place. out Chen Poo) and Highlight (Mr Then there is How Do I Know Oliveira).

(Mr H. C. Woo) to be con- I do not think we need look sidered as it is good over this further than Fot O'Gold as the distance,

the slaughter of the 13th held Burns

Valbridge (Mr Ostroumoff) Is another pony to bear in mind on account of ite light weight of 130 lbs.

FOURTHI RACE

Epro

SEVENTH RACE

Handicap (Second Section):

Gde Mue This race is confined to Class ponies. I like the chances of opponents to keep

Attractive Power (Mr Samarca), Atomic Caesar (Mr Starr Llu), And Borrowing

time Johnson going. At the end

Free Kick (Mr A. Noodt) and £200, he followed Burns to goaded him on. "That's not the round he actually

up.

Brivisto (Mr Plumbly). Public outcry

he would jibe.

Thirsk Handicap: Bix Furlottes then way, Tahmy,"

Power Attractive Then, the 14th,

won the "Hi there, Tahmy," and

This event

fought Folkeston Handicap (First Sec- Joud

Burns thud

The

will be Canadian pathetically pose his stomach. Burns would

out by Class 9 ponies and, tion over this distance for Class nger duck the

ould pawed his way to the centre of Junge at Johnson's unprotected

It was a grotesque Judging from past performances, 7 ponies in 1.50 at the last meet- middle. That's right, Tahmy" sight

ring.

Roue d'or which will be taken ing with Mr H. K. Cheng up hardened boxing fans chuckling It-to his cost, He turn-the

Negro would

Wong, out by Mr T. L.

valli in Jooked

Then

a novice race nway,

pan

carrying 162 ed down an alternative offer sing out, and rip home a left demonium. Police invaded the probably win.

Opposition is likely to come of £4,000 plus 40 per cent of to Burns face.

and separated tormentor ring

from Harvest Moon (Mr Starr promoted to this class.

On that performance, it was and victim.

As it is Lia). The most brutal fight in

now in splendid condition, 1 For Johnson was

Gracechurch (Mr C. L. Liu) think it will just about do it is another more physical revenge. He air boxing's blood-spattered history

to pony

again. W89 Over. Never

(Mr Police action had saved Burns, whilst Dashing Beauty II

Atomic Caesar and Free Kick arc in fine

at the condition Their presence had saved John-Shu) is not bad. that Jack Johnson had a yellow son. In satisfying his honour, fast improving pony and may at the finish.

Wild Honey (Mr Kwok) is a moment and should have a say ho had fallen foul of the spec- Six rounds gone. Burns, his tators.

Brivisto has been showing And after 13 cruel conceivably cause an upset.

FIFTH RACE

improvement in morning gallope and it will probably extend the other atarters,

not after

the takings. Such was the in- AIMED TO HUMILIATE terest that there was a record gate of over £22,000 at the new Rushcutter Bay Drena and Burns miss

missed on extra £7,000.

asked for

£3,000,

Johnson was offered £1,000 and took i gladly. He would have fought for nothing.

ed to humiliate Burns.

again must the Canadian

streak.

Post

watch

The fight almost took place, face a shapeless mass of bruised rounds there was little Christ-Prondstown Handicap: From 2.Mile unbilled, two weeks early. Two

flesh, his body a series of ugly mas goodwill left in the 20,000, sparing partizers from the rivai red blotches, was lined up for Australians who

the packed compe, O'Donnell from Burns' stable and Bryant from John-

THE GAMBOLS

DARLING YOU ACTUALLY BOUGHT ME A PRESENT ALL BY YOURSELF I

AND LINGERIE, TOO, THIS IS WONDERFUL

In this race confined to Class the kill....It never came, John-Rushcutter Bay arena on Box-2 ponies, an Interesting finish son saw to that. He nursed his ing Night, 1908.

should eventuate.

Lyr

Barry Applely

I'M SO EXCITED I CAN'T UNDO YOU CAN CHANGE IT IF IT THE PARCEL

DOESN'T FIT

HUHT

I'M SORRY, GAYB

WELEN

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"How, I wonder what I'm forgiven for

THIS TIME

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EIGHTH BACE

Blas Day Handicap: From

-Mile Post Class 7.ponics will run this owent and I strongly fancy Matador (Mt Barthropp) as the distance is well suited for pony although it failed to gain a place at the last meeting "over, the mile.

this

Emperor Delight (Mr Chen Poo) is, of course, the danger, and I expect to see it fighting out the finish

Blossom Time (Mr C. L. Lin) is also in the race, judging from its fourth placing at the last meeting with Mr K. C. Wong up.

Honey Dow (Mr Kwok) · fa

the best outsider.

*^', NINTH "RACE

A Powersttown : Handleapt 'Whom

The day's programme will be. concluded with a ruce for Class Bʻponiew

The

(Mr. Alex Lam); 24 carrying 154 lbs., head 15) the. for a novica jockay, La. 147 Xbs., which may not be too much of a handicap in view of its monond placing in the Musselburgh Handlamp (Tiret Section) s'over

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