JOHNSON AND BURNS.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 403, 12 January 1909, Page 5

JOHNSON AND BURNS.

WILL MEET AGAIN. Interest in. the Burns-Johnson prize fight continues :keen in' Australia, .and files, to harict by last night's'mail contain voluminous com-, ment of '.various; kinds.' Burns. continues to express the opinion—based on all his hardest fights in the past—that ho had good hopes of winning when'the police interfered/ As to the punishment; he'had. received, he states; that in his. encounter; .with. Squires- the latter had punished him .more than Johnson had dono when the police in. Lust Friday .week I Burns and 1 Squires gavo an exhibition at the Stadium,', and both. received . flattering demonstrations from .'a-huge audience. Burns,-in acknowledging this, said:— . "I. thank you : very .kindly for this flattering reception, and.it"is certainly a,pleasure to receive it,'- as I 'know, it is sincere. A3. a rule, some people have no; time for a loser, but I hare'found out' that it is different with the Australian public, and I appreciate it from tho bottom of my heart. As. has been- stated, this will be my : .-last,, appearance in the Australian ring. I may tell-you that if Johnson refuses to give me. another chance, then this will be my last, appearanco' in any ring >in the world. I do not desire to' take: any credit from Johnson over his. victory;-'as Johnson is a good '.boxer, and, tho deoision was fair. I'll admit Johnson had the better of me on points'up to tho 14th round; but'l will always say that if the contest had not been stopped I had a good chance of winning. It is the ambition of my life to regain the championship for the white people, hut if.,Johnson--refuses to givo me a return' match, then'l will, say farewell to tho ring for over, and . settle down. and. go into business in this country, arid try to be an Australian com-' mcrcial champion/ Ladies, and' gentlemen, I thank you." » "Amateur," writing in tho Sydney "Ueferee," says"l am 1 in; a position to state that everything, is in-.' order". for .ahother match between Tommy .Burns 'and Jack Johnson, and, if nothing oeours.to affect arrangements already,made, tho eontcst 'will'-:take place in London next August. - Mr. H. D. MThtosh,'.who loft by the Melbourne express..last .night to catch, at Ade- V laide, ; tho. R.M.S.- India for England, had a long chat with' Jack Johnson's manager, Sam Fitzpatriok.'ori. Saturday afternoon, and it is understood a definite agreement was arrived at. Possibly, the London Stadium, where the recent Olympian 1 Games wore decided, or that other huge structure "in the. metropolis of tho. world—Olynipia—ivill: be rented in the connec-. tion. Tom'my. Burns is. nioro than willing to make tho trip so that ho may satisfy himself as to whether Johnson is really the better man or not, and-then ; ho will conio back to Sydney, and settle , down'here. Wo will probably-hear something further 011 the subject of the return match soon : after. Mr. M'lntosh reaches London and gets his arrangements undor way." One of the stories current in Sydney after the recent contest: was that Johnson had gone privately to 1 tho. Manly Hospital,; and had his ribs examined under tho. Bonfgcn-'Rays, two ribs being found, to be broken." Johnson denied thtt he had been injured, but admitted that he had johe to the hospital to undergo an examination, this being his usual custom before and, after a contest.