BOXING.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2357, 25 November 1908, Page 3

BOXING.

THE BURNS-JOHNSON FIGHT

The agreement by Burns and John-son--to fight has been preceded by as many pourparlers as a peace treaty or an alliance of great Powers. Both sides have said the other is not (game; but Jeffries’ testimony is to the effect that Burns has offered every reasonable facility for-the fight. Jeffries has also predicted that Burns will win, and that he will “Jick the Big Smoke, who has a streak of yollow rn his system as wide as % street,

Clayton, one of Burns’s seconds in the fight witli Lang, acted as tho second of Burke when the latter was beaten on points by Johnson less than twelve months ago. Clayton, it _is said, “is very strong in his belief, after seeing tho champion at work last week, that Tommy will bring Johnson down heavily in the ring, and from the high pinnacle he has been hoisted to by well-meaning but misguided people.” On the other hand, there aro experts who predict tlie opposite. The English writer “Cestus,” in the “Sportsman,” sa’ys of Johnson: “As regards his ability we have not seen his superior for some time, oven if at all. Heavy weights like Gus Ruhlin and Tom Sharkey, who' were over here six years ago, looked upon as well in champion class, would have made no show with Johnson.” The same writer saw John,son giving a display of ball-punching at Plymouth, and, while admitting that “thumping a ball and slugging an opponent wore two different tilings,’' was highly impressed. He writes:—“About his power there was no question. Johnson has been credited by some writers as a shifty, skilful fighter ' a man of wonderful defence, but lacking as a punisher. . I should be sorry to see anyone battered about as Johnson bashed his ball. Such a thing,-how-ever, could not last long. That lie can hit when he feels so inclined is beyond question. The ball, the stand, in fact almost everything in tlie room, rocked again as Johnson swung right and left at tlie leather. True of eye, as well as correct in his blows, the black never Made a blunder. Perspiration rolled off him, for lie took long spells, but ho was as dry as a bone after a- touch with a towel. _ Jack seems to have the proper combination —power and speed. He is known as one. of the best men in the States on his feet, and taking all these points-, into consideration, one cannot wonder at tlie respect, shown to him by the fraternity. “One of the company present confided to me that ‘Burns would make no show with this man.’ Johnson’s power and speed justified the remark. The speaker* was qualified to judge, for he had seen Bums do his punching while training for liis match with Gnr. Moir. lii the course of a long experience in ring matters I have seen all the best men at the ball. J. L. Sullivan was quick, remarkably quick for so big a man. Peter Jackson was a model of style, correct and clever, with a lot of power. M’Cov, too, was admirable, and Tommy Ryan almost perfection. Jack Johnson' suffers nothing by comparison with the best, of these or any other man in the business. His commanding presence may add a glamour to his work. Standing over six feet, and scaling as he did fifteen stone, Johnson, with his deep chest and his bronze skin shining under the electric light, looked a truly formidable customer. lie was so big and colossal (a stone heavier than the late Peter Jackson) that bis speed appeared absolutely surprising.”