BOXING.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2375, 16 December 1908, Page 4

BOXING.

THE COMING CONTEST.

.Great interest is being taken in the training operations of Jack Johnson, who is preparing for his contest with Tommy Burns in Sydney on Boxing Day. In fact, so many persons w r ant to see him art Avork that a special train is run from Sydney each afternoon. Bill Lang is 'among thdse Avho spar AA’ith Johnson, the Victorian having gone to Botany on November 20. The colored champion is_ putting in some hard work. He is flip every morning before 6 o’clock, and Avith his trainer, “Duke” Muhins, covers 10 miles on the roads round La Perouse before breakfast. In the afternoon, after his avoplc, Mullins, Avho is an adept in the art, puts him through a course of rubbing doum and massaging, lasting over an flour. The operation is an interesting one to v'atoh. Tommy Burns, the world’s champion, is said to be so well that he could go into the ring noAV. Consequently he will ease up a little preparatory to getting thoroughly wound up for his big engagement. He not only walks 1 , spars, and skips, but plays handball on a court which 'has been specially constructed for him by Mr Mark Foy, and does a lot of swimming. Burns has made arrangements, in response to repeated requests, to do a portion of his work in Sydney, and travels to town from MedloAv tAvice a Aveek in his motor car. He Aviill return to the mountains 'after the exhibition. Burns has also consented to appear at a performance to be given by Mr Harry Pickards for the purpose of raising funds to provide 1000 dinners for the poor on Christmas' Day. In consequence of the big demand for seats at the Stadium to witness the contest for the AvorhPsi championship between Jack Johnson and Tommy Burns, it has been decided to concentrate the ushers on the higherpriced seats, and not reserve any but £lO, £5, £3, and £2 seats. Already over a thousand applications have been received for seats, and the seat speculator is getting busy. Needless to say, seats will not be disposed.of to speculators. To meet the inevitable rush on the 'day of the contest—though it is doubtful is there Avill. then he many seats left —a- large number of box offices will be opened .along the front’of the Stadium, and about 200 police officers will assist in handling the crowd; .. .