BOXING.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2504, 18 May 1909, Page 2

BOXING.

TOMMY’S TRIUMPHAL TRIP, GREAT RECEPTIONS. Of a verity Tommy Burns' tour through Queensland has/ so far,’been a triumphal one, for everywhere he has been received open-armed by huge crowds anxious to show the hero of that wonderfully plucky display at the Stadium on December 20 last, allliospitality and attention, otherwise, possible. Tho Darling Downs ‘Gazette” (Toowoomba), referring to the popular athlete’s visit to that town the other day, says: “Tommy Burns, the ex-champion heavy-weight and little boxing wonder of tho world, must have been immensely pleased with the reception accordedhim. by the public of Toowoomba. Long •before.the arrival of the Sydney express the railway station was packed with men, women, and hoys, eager to catch a glimpse of the hero of the hour. On alighting from the train Burns was wildly cheered. His hand was gripped by strangers as though he was their long-lost friend, and ho had practically to fight his way.to tho conveyance that was in waiting to take him and his party to their hotel. “In the Austral Hall in the evening Tommy Burns and his boxing combination gave their first entertainment.. Shortly after 7 o’clock the Harlaxton Band serenaded the ex-champion at his hotel, and subsequently followed by a large crowd, marched to the Austral Hall, the • scene of the night’s entertainment. At 8 o’clock there must have been fully 2000 persons in the hall, and the attendance included a very fair sprinkling of ladies, who derived greatpleasure from the performance. The combination is undoubtedly the best of its kind that has ever visited these parts. The programme is made up of moving pictures, a display of skipping, ball-punching, lively boxing bouts, and concludes with Burns’ celebrated ‘milkcan trick.’ ” - • ... As.many t were unable to gain admittance, Tommy stayed in Toowoomba to. give a show the next night, and was announced to box with Mi;. Allan Cameron, the amateur Heavy-weight champion of Queensland. The Burns show is described as “On the whole,' one of tho brightest over presented in the Northern State.’' GUNNER MOIR DEFEATED. METEORIC ADVENT OF HAGUE. KNOCKS ENGLAND’S CHAMPION OUT IN ONE ROUND. The following cablegram was published in Sydney on Wednesday week last: “LONDON, Tuesday Afternoon. — Jan Hague knocked out ‘Gunner’ “Moil- in a boxing contest at the National Sporting Club, in tho . first round.” , , ’ ' lan Hague’s career has been meteoric He was not heard of as a possible front-ranker till his recent defeat of the “Woolwich Infant^’ . Ben r laylor, and though he accomplished that task quicker and more convincingly than Jack Johnson did when lie met Taylor lust before, - leaving -for Australia to face Tommy Burns; it was difficult, at tins distance', to accurately gauge tho full extent of the new heavy-weights pow-

ers,,as Taylor, though a splcudidly-built man, had no record to speak of, and it appeared impossible to prepare him thoroughly for a severe ordeal. Hague’s ehoiying evidently impressed many at the ringside, as immediately afterwards, Avhen a match between Hague and Moir was' talked, some big bets were mado with the odds slightly in Moir’s favor. Hague is a Yorksliireinan. The men fought for a purse of £9OO, cut up £6OO to the winner, £2OO to the loser, and £25 each for training, expensos. There . was alsjO. a side bet of £2OO each lodged , with the manager of the club. It is quito possible that Hague may not be as good a man as bis easy win would make itj appear. Moir might- have oponed carelessly, or the blow might have been a lucky one, such as that which nearly put Tommy Burns out in his match w.ith Bill Lang in Melbourne. If the beating of Moir was not a fluke, then it would seem that England now has vvliat the nistclass heavy-weight sporting men of that country havo been in quest oi for man} years. The Avorld’s champion could not have got through Avith ' the job as quickly, because his hitting power is not good enough..' :