TO MEET JACK JOHNSON

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 272, 7 April 1911, Page 5

TO MEET JACK JOHNSON

JACK LESTER AT AUCKLAND. By Telegraph.—Pre?s Association. Auckland, Last Night. •Jack Lester, who '■Tommy" Burns claims is the ne,vt man to regain the championship of the world for the white race from Jack Johnson, arrived in Auckland by the Talune from the islands tnis morning. Lester, who is to meet bang in Sydney on April 10, under Alefll tosh's management, left 'Frisco for Tahiti by the Mariposa, which it was thought would land him in Sydney in plenty of time to train for his fight with Lang, but the route proved to be the longest, for Lester only reached Auckland this morning, and cannot get to Sydney before next week, and a postponement of the fight for at least a month will be necessary. In a chat to-day, Lester, who is a quiet, unassuming young fellow, his appearance reminding one of his manager and trainer, "Tommy" Bums, said he had no chance to do any training on the way across, as the boats were too small, and as he suffered somewhat from seasickness. He is at present a long way below form. The visit to Australia is principally for the purpose of gaining ring experience, and, in addition to meeting Lang, Mcintosh has promsed him two other matches, but his opponents are not vet known, lie expects to be in. Australia for some months, and wiH then return to America. In about twelve months Burns will pit him against the champion, "Jack" Johnson. Lester, who was bom in Bessemer, Michigan, will be twenty years of age next month. He is sft. 9in. in height, and in condition will weigh about list. 71b. He has been at the boxing game for about three years, and in amateur and professional rank 9 has fought thirty fights, and has not yet tasted defeat, holding the title of the Pacific Coast champion. His last fight was with "Pete" Muldoon, a fast, clever man, whom he defeated in three rounds. "Tommy" Burns, who will train and manage Lester, is on his way to Sydney by the Vancouver route, and Lester will! meet him in the New South Wales capita].