BOXING.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 3080, 29 December 1908, Page 5

BOXING.

THE BURNS-JOHNSON CONTEST. PRESS COMMENT. Received December 28, 9.15 a.m. LONDON, December 27. The "Referee" welcomes the result of the boxing match, between Burns and Johnson, for th a Championship of the World. The "Observer" characterises the fight as a degrading spectacle. Mr Bettison, Manager of the National Sporting Club, said the result was not a surprise in boxing circles in England and America. A rumour was published in London that Burns had died as a result of his injuries. THE ISSUE NEVER IN DOUBT. STATEMENT BY BURNS. Received December 28, 9.65 a.m. SYDNEY, December 28. Describing the fight between Johnson and Burns, the Sydney "Morning Herald" says:—"The issue was not in doubt from the fir3t clash cf blows. Within five seconds of the commencement Johnson chipped Burns a nasty upper cut on the chin, knocking him down. A few seconds later he sent the champbn to ths boards again. From this out Burns was hopelessly outclassed. Long before the police entered the Tins', Burns was plainly a beaten man. Thro'Jghoufc, however, he displayed a courage and capacity for taking punishment which did much to soften the blows Johnson delivered, not only to h*s adversary but to the ' spectators, nearly everyone of whom was obviously in sympathv with the white man. Johnson throughout tought fair, but unfortunately his fine boxing was disfigured by a display of bombast happily seldom seen in any sporting arena."

The "Daily Telegraph" declares that the contest was one sided throughout. Burns was outmatched every round, and severely punished, while Johnson was quite unharmed.

Johnson declares that he could have won much earlier, but he laid himself out to make the drubbing as severe as possible, as he wanted to get even for the disparaging remarks made regarding himself. Burns is thoroughly satisfied with the decision. Up to the time the ; police stoppsd the contest, he thought he had a chance, but he fully realised that up to that stage he was fairly beaten. To another interviewer, Burns stated there was very little doubt in his mind that he might have won if the police had not stopped the fight. He felt that Johnson was tiring,and hope had risen high within him,

Burns reiterated his intention of retiring from the ring, and settling in Australia. PLAIN SPEAKING. Received December 28, 10.25 a.m. SYDNEY, December 28. The Sydney "Herald," in a leader, on the prize fight, says:—"The contest was a nakedly brutal struggle, I which an edified public paid the syndicate £26,000 to see. To say that!these spectacles are sport in any decent meaning of the term is flatly untrue. The effect is to glorify a British practice in quarters where the British instinct is already an anti-social force. It may not be amiss to ask the Government which so far has teen delightfully acquiescent whether in the interests of the general community we have not had about enough of these exhibitions. Sydney is worthily ambitious, for distinction, but does not exactly aspire to become the cynosure of all the world of toughdom."

J. Johnson, the world's champion boxer, is anxious to match Lang, the Australian whom Burns defeated easily, with Bill Squires. Johnson says he is is prepared to bet £2OO that Lang will win.