BURNS-SQUIRES FIGHT.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 429, 27 August 1908, Page 3

BURNS-SQUIRES FIGHT.

We suppose most of our readers have read the cabled account of the Burns-Squires pugilistic encounter at Sydney for the championship of the world. Eighteen thousand persons, paying from £i io £$ each, witnessed the contest, which was for the best of twenty rounds, a goal which, as most people expected, was not reached. Prior to this match Burns had won to which has to be added for this contest. The fight lasted thirteen rounds and in order to enlighten our readers we will publish a few of the details of this demoralising exhibition: “In the first round Squires shaped very fairly, and frequently went for Burns’s head, but that portion of the American’s anatomy seemed to be the least vulnerable. Squires sent his left to the head four or five times, while Burns was making his principal efforts for his opponent’s body. In the second round Squires again started attacking with a straight left to the head. Burns got his right on Squires’s ribs. The Australian responded by bringing blood from the American’s nose. In the third round Squires got one in that sent Burns’s head back with a click. Burns clinched and lauded Squires a heavy right upper-cut to the chin. Squires, however, got in several heavy head blows. As the round closed Squires drew blood from the American’s mouth. In the fourth round Burns gave the Australian a very bad time, bringing blood from the nose and mouth. In a couple of brisk mix-ups Squires got a left on to his opponent’s ribs, and a right on to his jaw, staggering him. In the fifth round, spurred by success, the Australian went in and got a left on to Burns’ jaw. As the round closed Squires landed a heavy right to the jaw, and the crowd became delirious with delight. (!) In the sixth rouud both men were bleeding freely. In the seventh round Squires got a blow in which rattled Burns. In the eight round Burns received a terrific blow in the face. Squires continued aggressive in the ninth round. Then suddenly Burns hooked his left to his opponent’s chest, and getting to close quarters pummelled him viciously. Burns then hooked his left on Squires’s jaw, and followed with one right on the chin, and the fighting was terrific. The referee had all his work cut out to get them apart. Burns punished Squires’s body, the latter’s ribs showing up scarlet under the heavy punching. Despite the fact that Burns was bleeding at several points in the face, he seemed to regain strength, and fought strongly. In the tenth rouud Squires fetched Burns a powerful blow on the side cf the head, but Burns compelled Squires to break ground, and landed him a terrific right swing that sent the Australian back a few feet. Burns then attacked the body with great vigour, and had his opponent in sore straits, Squires’s left eye being blackened. The Australian sent in a dozen fast blows which somewhat dazed Burns, but the Australian could not shift him off his feet. In the eleventh round Squires got in three staggering blows on Burns’ neck, and his chances seemed better. In the twelfth round Squires’ blows lost force. The thirteenth rouud opened quietly. Burns livened up matters by drawing blood from Squires’ cheek, and in a rally the American landed the*Australian right on the chin, and Squises went down to a sitting posture, and remained there nine seconds. When on his feet again he rushed after Burns and punched him hard in the cheek. Burns replied with his right, and Squires went down for eight seconds. Burns now had him at his mercy, and struck him heavily on the cheek, and brought his right hand on the Australian’s neck; and before Squires had time to fall used his left on the side, of the eye. Squires sank and failed to rise again. He ultimately made an effort to get up, but was counted out. As be rose, the police stopped the proceedings. The Sydney Herald, commenting on the Burns-Squires fight, says the issue leaves no doubt as to the respective merits of the two men. Barring accidents, Squires would be beaten by Burns every day in the week; and that in spite of the fact that the Australian prevailed during nearly the whole of yesterday’s fight, and at every stage was the undoubted winner on points. The difference between the two men is that Squires is a pugilist who has developed his powers to a high degree, but is still only a pugilist. Burns is a scientist, who applied his brain to the solving of the problem of the knock-out. “Added to this scientific precision of boxing is his capacity for taking punishment, which is almost superhuman. It may be possible to hurt Burns with a battleaxe, but most of those who witnessed the performance will be inclined to doubt it.” Burns states that it was one of the hardest fights of his life, and that Squires was one of the gamest and strongest fighters he had ever met, and be could beat most of the heavy weights in the world. Squires, who was not much distressed by the punishment he received, said: “What I want is two or three more fights, and then, if I don’t win, my name is not Bill Squires.” It is stated that the takings of the “gate ” amounted to ,£13,400.