Jack Johnson vs. Tommy Burns (1908) | Championship Fight

The Burns-Johnson Fight (or Burns-Johnson Contest) is a 1908 documentary film of the boxing fight between Tommy Burns and Jack Johnson at Sydney Stadium, Rushcutters Bay, on 26 December 1908 for the World Heavyweight Championship title, which Johnson won.It was produced by Charles Cozens Spencer at the behest of the fight's promoted Hugh D. McIntosh.
Some footage from the film survives today, chiefly of that showing some of the middle rounds of the 14-round fight.
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[@mrbdx]

Smh at them “stopping the cameras”. We all know why.

[@SMOKEDADDYKUSH]

No I don’t why?

[@loadapish]

@@SMOKEDADDYKUSH racism was big back then. They didnt wanna broadcast a black guy winning the title

[@DubyaDaLastRepugPrez]

It might have been racism. However, the fight was in Australia and I don't think they were as racist against African Americans as white Americans were.

[@coreysanders7140]

@@DubyaDaLastRepugPrez they were just as racists down there.

[@mariohall8357]

@@DubyaDaLastRepugPrez I am reading Unforgivable Blackness, (are you familiar with the book)...they are just as racist

[@aviazx1799]

Crazy to think no one in this video is still living. Crowd was massive

[@emoshnz1]

Aviaz X ..yep they all gone.

[@Steve-gx1ci]

Did you flunk math? 110 years ago? If everyone in the crowd was 10 years old then they would be 120 today.

[@calewilbanks633]

That's why he said no one is still living

[@rogermartin798]

Not true,Keith Richards said he was there.

[@SW33T_Dr34M]

How is that crazy to think? Dumbest comment to date

[@LiamButler2006]

RIP Tommy Burns (1881-1955) RIP Jack Johnson (1878-1946)

[@zmaj6524]

RIP. Burns taking that challenge helped change the world. Respect.

[@JamalAswan]

@@zmaj6524you mean ass whopping.

[@jarresterkkurson664]

​@@zmaj6524Burns wanted the fight his managers were the ones who didnt want to fight a black

[@Joeblow-ms3cv]

Indeed

[@mikehall7531]

Amen brother

[@mider-spanman5577]

Johnson actually did knock Burns down in a couple of rounds as well according to Newspaper reports of the day. Conveniently cut out of this footage for reasons which we already know.

[@boostjunkie2320]

we already know you pathetic mfs wont stop crying

[@apieceofbread9022]

Couldn't televise a white man crumbling at a black mans feet. He absolutely handled him. Dude shouldve never got in thw ring with jack.

[@Bruins-vq5ey]

@@apieceofbread9022 he was the champ and he didn't want to be called champion if he didn't fight the best...guys a fuckin legend way ahead of his time

[@jeffreyharris3887]

In R1 he was down .Burns had been shouting his mouth off that Johnson had a yellow streak a mile wide , Johnson would make him pay ,with his trademark attack that started with a paralysing left punch to the bicep and finished with a right upper cut ,as Burns staggered to his feet ,Johnson said "Where's my yellow streak now Tommy ,? the customers wanna hear"

[@Bruins-vq5ey]

@@jeffreyharris3887 if you knew what you were talking about, you would know that the first knockdown was a result of the referee grabbing Burns' arm and leaving him open to a johnson shot.. You forgot some vital information young man

[@kaycartledge4542]

That was fun too watch,,i saw an old interview with Mohammed Ali and he said jack Johnson was the greatest to him.. so I came to see why...

[@6971robi]

Ali said Jack Johnson was the greatest because all of the racism he went through. Jack Johnson went through all that racism and still fought with his head up. Also, went around town with a white woman on his arm. Back in those days that was very dangerous.VERY!

[@HankFinkle11]

My only issue with Johnson as a fighter was that he never gave a shot to the best black heavies of the day, like Joe Janette and Sam Langford.

[@ScottHendrix-yz3du]

​@@HankFinkle11he was afraid of Sam Langford. They all were.

[@ScottHendrix-yz3du]

​@@HankFinkle11he was afraid of Sam Langford.

[@michaelterry4394]

@@HankFinkle11 an excellent point .

[@Phearsum]

Jack Johnson was one of the toughest men to ever step foot in any ring during any period of time, ever. An absolute beast of a human being. He deserved so much better than the world gave him.

[@yourroyalhighness7662]

He was not a beast of a human being. A beast of a fighter, yes. However in the biological definition, all people are beasts as we are animals just like all other non human animals.

[@theactionman8403]

@@yourroyalhighness7662🤓

[@Respect12948]

@@yourroyalhighness7662I think he was just trying to say that jack was a dangerous dude

[@jahno7154]

@@yourroyalhighness7662 A top quality athlete or a athlete with great stamina these days is called a beast. Nothing to do with being an animal or looking like a beast

[@d-boogiewitdagoodies5849]

@@yourroyalhighness7662 you lame asl bro. I’m js your comment screams virgin😂😂

[@mattsharkey8437]

Tommy Burns was an exceptional fighter who got overlooked. His history is fascinating.

[@davidabney7700]

Well said, and so true!

[@Javier-r7d]

Burns was the champion wasn't he?

[@mattsharkey8437]

@@Javier-r7d and he wore gloves too

[@leehart1498]

His real name was Noah Brusso. (Brew-so).

[@jayJay-63820]

@@leehart1498that’s the name he was born with but no his name was and will forever be Tommy Burns.

[@daauthor6004]

Amazing! Still having footage from over 100 years ago!

[@lowpro7]

This video is priceless.

[@deacontheseer4804]

Johnson built like heavyweights today. Holyfied, etc. He definitely could have fought in the modern era. Great athlete

[@sitructv3672]

He’s looks ahead of his time technically too

[@charleswilliams8248]

Jack Johnson was the greatest ever! He fought under the evil and wicked pressure of hate and racism! He was Bold, Black and Beautiful without apology!

[@gunslingerjhagadee]

Bullshit great wrestler.....big cheat.

[@kieronjohnson8834]

@@gunslingerjhagadee Sad that you're butthurt by something that happened over a hundred years ago. The cheats were the people who wanted to exclude Johnson from a title he won on merit. He didn't need to cheat to demolish Burns.

[@neilzeppeli1614]

and Ali too. He was one of his biggest fans.

[@cd.cd.cd.cd-cd]

This channel is pure excellence, keep the gems coming

[@guardianx1328]

Johnson was heard yelling to Burns, "LET'S GO CHAMP!!!"

[@peapodsinthemoonlight]

and burns was heard yelling the n word

[@andrewriley3618]

@@peapodsinthemoonlightthat boy ate that shit that day 😂

[@pimpompoom93726]

@@peapodsinthemoonlight Untrue, Burns was a Christian and not a bigot.

[@TyTyBryant]

@@pimpompoom93726he was white

[@pimpompoom93726]

@@TyTyBryant Did I say he wasn't? What relevance does that have to the discussion?

[@Acer-dh6qm]

This is the boxer that inspired Muhammad Ali

[@jahno7154]

Sugar Ray Robinson

[@Respect12948]

It was a mix of sugar rays hands Joe Walcotts slick footwork and timing And jack Johnson’s boldness and attitude

[@jahno7154]

@@Respect12948 Muhammad Ali would never have sex with white prostitutes or beat up his wives and Ali never ducked no man in the ring like Johnson did.

[@Bruins-vq5ey]

@@Respect12948 hahahahaha stick to tennis .

[@HankFinkle11]

Not really.

[@invisiblerevolution]

They stopped the cameras😂😂😂

[@bigghuncho6181]

They didn’t stop the cameras. He got knocked out and they cut that part out the film. They didn’t want white people see a nigga beat a white man half to death!

[@LegendGamer-dj8om]

@@bigghuncho6181 that's sad bro, but nowadays we'll be able to see this every day

[@Bruins-vq5ey]

@@bigghuncho6181 never was knocked out..was a decision loss

[@bigghuncho6181]

@@Bruins-vq5ey was the rest of the comment true?

[@Bruins-vq5ey]

@@bigghuncho6181 nothing you said was true

[@richardwilliams6256]

Did I hear that correctly, Jack Johnson trolled this man (Thommy Burns) by flying to his Ireland, Australia and France sitting ringside and challenging to a fight. This man had some stones and cant imagine as black man less than fourty years from slavery ending. RIp to real man and legend.

[@libertarian4323]

I'm pretty sure Johnson wasn't "flying to his Ireland, Australia and France" in 1907 and 1908. There were no airlines at that time.

[@patrickverona387]

It’s amazing how they were allowed to clinch like that over and over back then. Johnson gave him a beat down and Burns definitely earned his money that day.

[@janpierzchala2004]

Lots of clinching, fewer punches than today, you are right

[@janpierzchala2004]

Probably just evolution of the sport, nothing wrong with wrestling element of clinching - they thought at that time, punches will happen anyway, and there is no tv audience hungry for the action

[@NoRockinMansLand]

Jack Johnson knew how to wrestle himself, he was a complete fighter. Unlike boxing purists that think clinching is a bad thing

[@DubyaDaLastRepugPrez]

I've got to say that Johnson had massive balls, taunting a white man in those days. Wow!

[@hilariousname6826]

I've got to say that Burns had massive balls, stepping into the ring with Johnson. Wow!

[@lewissteward65]

@@hilariousname6826 yes sir both are true

[@kgwash33rd65]

The ring was the best way to do it and get away with it. I sure the police wanted to lock him up after the fight.

[@SnowPyramid]

He also ploughed a white women all day long! :D

[@alishabazz7431]

@@hilariousname6826Yeah but he ducked him until he couldn’t.

[@ZestedVim]

Thanks for sharing. Jack Johnson's story (or stories) needs to be told to today's audience. His life would make a fascinating tv series or at least a good movie. He stood proud and unapologetic, in a society rife with racism, as an ebony obelisk in the eye of every racist. Forcing them to endure the fact that the were not superior. This socially disadvantaged black man routinely decimated the greatest white champions of the era--and often with ease. They cut the cameras when they saw it; but now it's time to turn them back on and give World Champion Jack Johnson his due.

[@markford7868]

JJ never fought a blk fighter after winning the title. JJ during his reign fought mostly smaller men, middleweights and lt heavies. When he fought Jess W he got his ass kicked. He did not do well against men his own size. A beast, nope, more of a bully

[@NoRockinMansLand]

​@@markford7868 grow up

[@tobysimpson2773]

So many tricks and techniques used by Johnson here, both offensive and defensive, ones that most people don't pick up on

[@ModernDayRenaissanceMan]

Its wild to see how slow the action was. No wonder some fights went 130 rounds + in the 1800s. If you fight with constant hugging you can go all day. Plus they never move. The first man to discover sticking & moving must have been dominant.

[@johnhanover2229]

Watch Jack Dempsey.

[@papito8078]

What a legend black history month should learn more about him

[@onetransam1998]

i agree, you never hear or heard of him til chappells stand up. His story should be told.

[@worstcaseofcrabsever5510]

the concept of black history month is useless. Do we have Asian history month>? Native American history month? Latina history month? It should just be plain HISTORY. I DO agree that J. Johnson's story needs more attention. Jack Johnson accomplished a lot and helped to popularize the sport. Its not a unique story. Nobody knows most of the world's best athletes from 115 years ago. Why would they>? That was just too long ago./

[@hilariousname6826]

@@onetransam1998 If you never heard of Johnson before that, you were willfully uninformed. Or very young.

[@markford7868]

JJ never fought a blk fighter after winning the title. JJ during his reign fought mostly smaller men, middleweights and lt heavies. When he fought Jess W he got his ass kicked. He did not do well against men his own size. A beast, nope, more of a bully

[@DisparityOfBeliefAndTruth]

@@markford7868lol, good luck getting any traction with this statement. The morons will get upset that it doesn’t fit the new narrative, and there are so many morons, facts and logic has long since been outnumbered and taken over by… well… I’m not sure what you call what we live in now, but logic and facts have no use here.

[@awesomeempoleon]

"I will defend my title against all comers, none barred. By this I mean white, black, Mexican, Indian, or any other nationality. I propose to be the champion of the world, not the white, or the Canadian, or the American. If I am not the best man in the heavyweight division, I don't want the title."-tommyburns also he was a natural middleweight fighting opponents way bigger

[@hilariousname6826]

He was incredibly tough.

[@SlayerofFiction]

The fact he was willing to fight any race and people much larger than himself puts him miles apart from anyone else at the time.

[@jahno7154]

@@hilariousname6826 Was he ? well his fight records suggests otherwise

[@hilariousname6826]

@@jahno7154 Huh? He was 5'7", 175 lbs - became the shortest world heavy-weight champion ever, and successfully defended his title 13 times in less than three years. Eight consecutive title-defences won by knockout or stoppage. Johnson spent two weeks in the hospital recovering from his bout with Burns. Etc. Now, I don't claim to be any kind of authority - but that sounds impressive to me.

[@jahno7154]

@@hilariousname6826 Johnson went to hospital why ? Burns never touched him where did you read that ? Burns had 13 Defences not 1 black fighter just pure bums he fought glass jawed Bill Squires from Australia 3 times then Gunner Moir from GB 14 wins 11 losses. haven't you watched Unforgivable blackness ? If not you should.

[@brandongarber4335]

I'm the same height and weight as jack johnson. Just imagine if he had modern day nutrition

[@Kosmouchkosmatakosmos]

They had better nutrition back then.

[@theodorebundaberg]

@@Kosmouchkosmatakosmosthe food might have been better but the understanding of nutrition was no where near the same. He would have been twice as athletic if he was born in the modern era

[@Kosmouchkosmatakosmos]

@@theodorebundaberg what understanding? Understanding of what?

[@theodorebundaberg]

@@Kosmouchkosmatakosmosunderstanding of nutrition. Nutrition science only really started making its way into the modern era when bodybuilding took off in the 60s

[@NoRockinMansLand]

​@@Kosmouchkosmatakosmos were they healthier back then? Yes, in a sense. But ask yourself why people today are a lot bigger than before

[@d_no44]

My great grandfather used to spare with Jack Johnson over 100 years ago.

[@pimpompoom93726]

Would have loved to hear your great grandfather's stories.

[@daviddavis3389]

LOL right!!!

[@skineyemin4276]

That Tommy Burns training footage looks like Davey Carey doing the "Church Lady" dance on SNL.

[@gerardjones4917]

Burns looked like a little girl dancing with his boyfriend Jack Johnson was laughing his ass of how in hell did Burns ever get the title he was a joke can not include as a true champion great dancer was definitely the two-step. Never hear anybody in Canada know about him says a lot we had a great Fighter George Chuvalo he would have made mince meat to of burns.

[@nurkahnert1954]

the commentator sound listen he admired JJ too

[@sinister1891]

Johnson was a scary man one of the greatest ever

[@pimpompoom93726]

Johnson was a great boxer, but let's allow the Burns was a gutsy champion. He could have avoided this fight as many wanted him to do, but he was a Christian man and wanted to give Johnson his due. Burn was outclassed by the bigger, stronger and more talented Johnson, but he gave it his all. Kudos to Jack Johnson for the win, Kudos to Tommy Burns for the decency to give Johnson his shot.

[@gerardjones4917]

He was a racist prick watch the loser with corbert screaming racist crap when Johnson flattned the Great White Dope Jeferries

[@manowar5516]

Wow, these devils were just as weak and bad at media coverage back then.😅

[@stevetatten9422]

Tyson Fury is a devil.

[@blkjustice3250]

He whipped his ass so bad they called the POLICE! In a boxing match! LOL!... and they're still calling the police until this day! LOL!BWAHAHAHAHA!!!

[@DubyaDaLastRepugPrez]

It was common for the police to stop fights in those days.

[@DubyaDaLastRepugPrez]

@@robertfrench4085 Geez, are you a racist?

[@Bruins-vq5ey]

You have no clue about boxing

[@DubyaDaLastRepugPrez]

@Morgan Smith Did your racist post get deleted? I called you a racist for a reason.

[@jovidutful]

@Morgan Smith you look pathetic coward

[@DubyaDaLastRepugPrez]

Johnson was very appreciative of Tommy Burns later in life, since he was the only heavyweight champion that would give a black man a title shot. And Burns obviously wasn't a real heavyweight, he would probably be a super middleweight nowadays.

[@Bruins-vq5ey]

Burns was a heavyweight for the times..180 lbs.. So Johnson would be a cruiserweight or light heavyweight today?

[@sebastianblackfyre]

I’m also not looking so good. I’m 5’10, and 85 kg

[@DubyaDaLastRepugPrez]

@@Bruins-vq5ey Johnson was around 200 lbs. He would be a heavyweight by today's standards. Burns was 5 foot 7 inches, 175 pounds. He had the body of a middleweight at that height.

[@Bruins-vq5ey]

@@DubyaDaLastRepugPrez if Johnson was around 200 then he d be a cruiserweight today

[@DubyaDaLastRepugPrez]

@@Bruins-vq5ey Not really. Minimum weight is 200 lbs for a heavyweight by today's standards. The point is that Johnson had the body of a heavyweight and he easily could have put on more weight if necessary.

[@ModernDayRenaissanceMan]

So many impressive things about this film, only one of which is how everyone manages to wear the same exact hat.

[@kikim.29]

😂😂 the police had to come in and stop him from killing the man... but I guess it was like that back them.

[@nervouspanic5286]

Yea there were no doctor stoppages and he was black so they didn't want him winning so if someone got knocked down the ref would let them get up everytime

[@Bruins-vq5ey]

Nobody was getting killed

[@AnonymousRalte]

The sound of those punches😵😵

[@robertgarey3169]

But those weren't actual sounds. In 1908 every movie was silent -- there was no such thing as sounds in movies. Those "sounds" you heard (both the punches and the crowd) were added in later by film editors.

[@AnonymousRalte]

@@robertgarey3169 oh, thank you for explaining 🙏

[@johndasilva2686]

These old videos are absolutely fantastic. Its great to see all boxers in different times. What Jack Johnson did, the way he it ,in the time he did it was was remarkable. Johnson was mentally the toughest pound for pound boxer of all time. He must have drank oil and eaten concerte for breakfast.Imagine Jack Johnson is screaming insults knowing the evil klu klux klan are in the audience. Johnson must have had two pairs of balls .

[@kevinb9830]

They were a completely different weightclass.

[@wofat6300]

Burns was the heavy weight champion.

[@kevinb9830]

@@wofat6300 In name, yes. It's obvious there's a massive difference.

[@wofat6300]

@@kevinb9830 back in those days, it was only about three different weight classes. Jack Johnson was only about 200 lbs but he was huge compared to his opponent.

[@robertdecker146]

Johnson weighed 212, at 6'1-1/2, versus Burns, who was only around 180, and also stood a mere 5'7. In this day and age, Burns would've been able to cut to 168 pretty easily. He'd be hovering between 168-175. Super Middleweight and Light Heavyweight. Imagine Burns vs Canelo..!!! That would've been a Barn Burner of a Brawl..!!!

[@NoRockinMansLand]

Ok? Sam langford was even smaller than him, he was a nighmare for even the biggest men of those days

[@kevinmunday6263]

Johnson sitting at ringside hurling insults, and Smiling talking to fans during clinches in the ring, a real character, like Ali decades later. 😊😊

[@Joeblow-ms3cv]

Indubidubly 🙂

[@hdvictoryford5329]

lol, Jack was highly overrated. And he never gave a blk fighter a shot at his title, why? Because many around then had beat him? He looked good when fighting smaller men. I doubt that if he fought today, he would not be in the top 100. When he fought a guy his size, he got his ass whooped soundly. And don't forget Jess was only 4 years younger than Jack and boxed as a hobby. Where were those great skills when he fought a true big man?

[@RohgishSun]

10:04-- "The POLICE shut off the camera's"...NOT the camera man....VERY telling of their such low self-worth. great sparring session. The anglo had some interesting footwork.

[@RohgishSun]

@@seeya101oliASWHDFIL Interesting insight on his use of the color line. I don't think his possibly being a great boxer for the sake of the sport is the sought after resonance that the average person connects with. I suspect that the social politics well overweighs the attempt to place him as a quality pugilist. The fact that the pilgrims had such a bad go with a brotha who chose to operate at simple bruiser level as opposed to developing the style of a tactician is even more telling of a greater base of their own ineptivity as well.

[@andersonarmstrong2650]

Self-Hate seeks no mirrors.

[@Bruins-vq5ey]

@@seeya101oliASWHDFIL by saying Burns was awful proves you haven't the slightest knowledge of the sport

[@austingupton8829]

Very cool to watch this footage. For anyone interested in Jack Johnson’s life and career, the History on Fire podcasts has a great series on him.

[@SW33T_Dr34M]

The beginning was funny asf 😂😂😂

[@jahno7154]

Well done to Tommy Burns a small heavyweight giving a black boxer who was twice the size a shot at the title. SHAME ON YOU BIG JEFF

[@everettwilson1416]

Yes, I heard $ had something to do with it.

[@Bruins-vq5ey]

Still gave a black fighter a shot didn't he

[@pimpompoom93726]

@@everettwilson1416 Boxing is a business, what did you expect him to do-fight Johnson for nothing because it was the 'fair' thing to do? Boxers didn't make as much in those days even considering inflation, they had to fight often and they got better purses when they won consistently. Burns could have continued to duck Johnson, but instead he gave him a shot. The money certainly was part of it, but only part of it. Burns was not a perfect man, but he was pretty enlightened for the times. He became a preacher later in life and Johnson gave him credit for giving him the fight.

[@CursedCommentaries]

Not twice lol

[@frankiepizzurro]

Tommy Burns was a brave guy at 5’7 fighting literal giants. He deserves more recognition

[@yourroyalhighness7662]

A 6’1” man is not a literal giant. Compared to the diminutive Noah Brusso, perhaps a man of Jack Johnson’s stature could be considered as a figurative giant. Now, if Noah had been in there against a man of Robert Wadlow’s height of 8 ft, 11.1 inches, then he could have been said to be in there against a literal giant.

[@frankiepizzurro]

@@yourroyalhighness7662 fair point but you understood what I was getting at. No 5’7 heavyweight champs now

[@yourroyalhighness7662]

@@frankiepizzurro Yes, now they are cartoonishly large

[@Bruins-vq5ey]

​@@yourroyalhighness7662your boxing knowledge is cartoonish

[@yourroyalhighness7662]

@@Bruins-vq5ey Want to tallk about boxing knowledge? Let us talk about the era that I REALLY know...the sixties and seventies. Go for it. Tell me about something that was stated about Ali for virtually his entire career that was almost certainly false and was shown to be so on national tv. And I can back up what I say with evidence. Go for it, bright boy.

[@christophercharleston9453]

1908... The first time a black man could publicly destroy a white man for all eyes to see around the world! It’s crazy to realize how much has changed in such little time.

[@Macdaddy.]

Best channel on yt amazing the content you have

[@reelblack]

Thank you

[@rockinbiff]

Jack Johnson was one of the greatest boxers ever. Shame on the coppers for interfering with the fight. Their cowardice & unsportsmanship will be remembered for as long as this fight is. I also heard there were riots after the fight. This happened following numerous Johnson victories. If there was a Mt. Rushmore for boxers, Jack Johnson would be part of it.

[@dk5.56]

Damn this was on my birthday but 90 years before lmao

[@georgenestler2534]

Constant clinching and the referee never separates them. Just looks!

[@mosesekaufusi8062]

When are they gonna make a movie of this

[@benevolent6705]

Back in 1908 the average height for men was between 5'6 and 5'7 so Burns was average height and Johnson at 6'2 was a monster, despite that being a normal tall height today.

[@JeffPenaify]

Lol 6’2 wasn’t being a monster back then, it was just tall, and it still is tall

[@Pedro_Le_Chef]

@@JeffPenaify It pretty much was. There's a reason they called him the Galveston Giant.

[@JeffPenaify]

@@Pedro_Le_Chef no it wasnt, boxing monikers were very tongue in cheek, giant fits with Galveston, where Johnson was from lol average height in the US has fallen tall people are just as rare, theres just more people

[@tylerrobbins8311]

​@@JeffPenaify6'2 213lbs is a monster today. Just because we have literal giants at the top doesn't mean 6'2 isnt huge. Fun fact there is a bigger size diffrence between Burns and Johnson then there is Johnson and Willard. 5'7 163lbs vs 6'2 213lbs is an 8in height and 50lbs weight disparity, compared to 6'2 213lbs vs 6'6 242lbs which is a 4in height and 29lb weight disparity.

[@jahno7154]

Jack Johnson was 6ft.1.5 Jeffries and Willard were much bigger

[@bolt4694]

The dubbed in punches sound like a book being slammed shut. Funny

[@easy_eight2810]

I felt like Burns definitely said something nasty during their encounters previously when Johnson was following him around the world trying to get a fair title shot or during the fight itself. The fight went from toying to very personal real quick

[@Bruins-vq5ey]

Wrong

[@gerardjones4917]

Burns the racist piece of crap was given a lesson in life white boy was treated as a plaything deliberitely. Did not hear from Burns again maybe he took up dancing what a beating,

[@datsapaddlin]

Tommy Burns with the classics Why I Outta stance 😂 00:16

[@Apis4]

Ok people, the NSW Police stopped the Camera but only AFTER they stopped the fight. They did NOT edit the footage, THAT was done by the owners of the film. This footage also does not show the knock downs Johnson scored. No doubt the NSW police were racist, and indeed we have had a long history with them of racism.... however... for whatever reason, they did NOT view Johnson in quite the same light as they viewed local Aboriginal people, for example. If they HAD, they would not have allowed the fight at all, nor allowed Johnson be declared winner and thus WHC. They DID though. They stopped the fight because since the death of Otto Cribb in 1901, in a defense against the former champion, Mick Dunn, for the Australian Middle Weight title, the NSW police had become much more concerned about professional boxing. When Dunn beat, and in so doing, killed, Cribb to reclaim the title, he, the referee, Cribbs own manager, and the promoter were all arrested and initially charged over his death. They were ultimately released and charges dropped, but it caused huge public outcry about the tyranny of Police involvement in matter. After that, the police decided to monitor, and preemptively act if needed. That's what they did here. It was clear Burns was unable to continue, the pummeling by todays standards would probably have seen the referee stop the fight, or Burn's corner throw in the towel, but back then, it was rare for this to happen. If they had NOT ended the fight, it' highly possible Burns would have been severely injured at the least, and worse, no one wanted another death. Fortunately someone had the foresight to stop this before it went badly, the ref was remiss in not doing so, Burn's corner was too, even if the fighter thinks they can go on, when they cannot answer the kind of pummeling he got in the last few moments, if they cannot defend themselves, and have nothing left, but to be repeatedly savagely beaten, the fight MUST be stopped. That's just simply the ethical thing to do. If it was Racism, they'd stopped it a lot sooner and arranged the disqualification of Johnson from the match on some grounds. No, they stopped it for valid reason, and they told the officials to declare Johnson the WINNER. The editing was done by other people, and THEY were the ones who did not want to show Burns being more convincingly beaten than he is in this footage, or his ultimate loss, the moment a Black man became WHC. Doesn't make it right, but do not go blaming Australian authorities for something they had no power over and did not do.

[@Bruins-vq5ey]

Burns could've continued..he even admitted so..don't go by the video..that wasnt the real sequence when the fight was halted..

[@Apis4]

@@Bruins-vq5ey No, he could NOT. He was being regularly pummeled and was unable to defend against it, or reply. Stop being barbaric.

[@Bruins-vq5ey]

@@Apis4 those were the times my friend.. nobody stopped Burns..

[@Apis4]

@@Bruins-vq5ey The times were changing, after Cribb V Dunn, in Australia, they would allow a fight to go on after it became so one sided. Be thankful, the Canadians life was on the line too, by the time they stopped this, not just his title.

[@hilariousname6826]

Thanks for that background info.

[@pinnaclepower6237]

Jack Johnson had a great physique back then...imagine what he would look like with today's weight lifting equipment and weight training advancements. However, I would say the nutrition was better back then, because processed foods and sugar intake wasnt as prevalent as it is today.

[@DastardSilvergun]

Boxers aren't eating processed foods and sugar you clown.

[@pinnaclepower6237]

@@DastardSilvergun bitch, post ur comment on someone else's post, who cares to hear from ur bitch made ass!!!

[@davidcopson5800]

You're right. We didn't get fighters called 'Sugar Ray' until the 1940s.

[@Vefyoutubecensorfutub]

I think his smartness outweighed his physique

[@dongizdan7372]

thanks for sharing this view/ videos, , .

[@risboturbide9396]

Jack Johnson is my new hero. Cheers to his Legacy and courage 🍻🍻

[@jamesbowman8138]

I am sure there was footage somewhere

[@josephcolacova7516]

The fact that 160 pound Burns went 14 rounds with a man 50 pounds heavier is astounding. There’s no be idle weight in the world that could go more than 3 rounds with Usyx , Joshua , fury , or even Chisora.

[@karser6456]

they've been "stopping the camera's" for a long time throughout history, nothing new.

[@KingDanny9]

LMAO I love this fight

[@jahsunhova6089]

I have the heart of Jack Johnson! 💯👍🏾

[@hilariousname6826]

Sure ya do ......

[@fredericfrancoischopin1178]

7:33 the way Johnson smiles and waves at burns is cold he knows he got him and burns def was bothered by that 😎

[@alandesouzacruz5124]

Watching this figth 116 years later

[@oRealAlieNo]

Imagine mike tyson prime showing up. Lol

[@ascendediam]

This looks like novices compared to 30s-40s let alone the average 70s,it's lunatics who posted in 09 and before saying this man would go rounds and beat guys who fought in 70s-90s.....

[@oRealAlieNo]

@@ascendediam yeah the sport was at its pinnacle in the 70s to 90s. Straight killers. Now boxing is boring.

[@ascendediam]

@@oRealAlieNo how is it boring?,cause their way more technical and fight smarter?

[@oRealAlieNo]

@@ascendediam yes.

[@ascendediam]

@@oRealAlieNo werent the 70s-90s way more advanced than this one with their techniques?

[@rongrant3500]

Tommy Burns was 5'-7" and weighed 163 lbs. at the time of the fight. (hardly a real heavyweight) He had lost 10 lbs. and was battling either infuenza or jaundice, according to historical records. Jack Johnson weighed 40 lbs more, was 6'-2", more experienced and in his prime. It was never really a contest, although I suspect Johnson made it look like it was.

[@Vefyoutubecensorfutub]

well... if we follow your line of thought...assuming all that is true...Tommy Burns was a false heavyweight. I recall reading he knocked out white fighters heavier and taller than Jack Johnson. Your excuse lame and pathetic.

[@Bruins-vq5ey]

Burns did have the flu and suffered weight loss

[@fondrees]

@@Vefyoutubecensorfutub the truth is not a pathetic excuse. Its the truth,alot of heart and courage at 5'7" 163. To last 14 rounds with the flu against the Ali of the era is pretty good.

[@SlayerofFiction]

@@Vefyoutubecensorfutub The great white hope was a real thing, read and see why.

[@danielteixeira309]

Im 5'8 172 98kg 210b

[@johnhanover2229]

Different era. No three knockdown rule, neutral corner, or air conditioning. It’s sad that it took so long to posthumously pardon Champion Johnson.

[@clarencejones4717]

Ringside seats is crazy

[@glace5620]

You know you are getting your ass beat when the police show up and turn off cameras.😅

[@Wolfpax1234]

Lol it's like 2 kangaroos scrapping

[@ascendediam]

This looks like novices compared to 30s-40s let alone the average 70s,it's lunatics who posted in 09 and before saying this man would go rounds and beat guys who fought in 70s-90s.....

[@jedediah7772]

This is wild

[@NotaryEducatorCristianM]

They used to hella wrestle back then in the ring huh

[@ascendediam]

This looks like novices compared to 30s-40s let alone the average 70s,it's lunatics who posted in 09 and before saying this man would go rounds and beat guys who fought in 70s-90s.....

[@fondrees]

I wish they wouldve used the real audio instead of this fake commentatater

[@jeffmoore9487]

In 1908 film was silent. "Talkies" came in the 20's?

[@jeffmoore9487]

@OH MY He's talking about his wish. You can' really object to what he wishes or imagines.

[@clintmorris2357]

Johnson had finally earned a shot at the title & he never looked better. To bad he couldn't find a promoter to pair him up with McVey, Jennette or Langford after winning the title. I find it hard to believe it wouldn't of been popular. A sold out crowd is a sold out crowd.

[@Bruins-vq5ey]

Johnson would not defend against blacks..nothing to do with promoters

[@meditationlimits796]

I just imagine if our latest technology today will look like this in the year 2108

[@andersonarmstrong2650]

Imagine if this Tommy Burns had to face Earnie Shavers?!

[@Bruins-vq5ey]

Burns wins

[@mikemilliken3596]

He,d probably beat shavers, but would,not stand a chance against marciano

[@ascendediam]

​@@Bruins-vq5eysure would yet no one made pro fighting like this in 70s

[@ascendediam]

​@@mikemilliken3596looney

[@ComaToast1]

@@mikemilliken3596lol u whites say the most outrageous shxt 😂

[@edwarddeitch8886]

Johnson ducked nobody. Great fighter for his era.

[@Bruins-vq5ey]

Sam Langford

[@jahno7154]

Johnson ducked every black heavyweight when he became champ, he fought a load of white bums

[@rickgarcia8481]

How boring... looks like a wrestling match. With gloves on. Skills were definitely not at the levels we were seeing in the 70s in the heavyweight division.

[@ascendediam]

This looks like novices compared to 30s-40s let alone the average 70s,it's lunatics who posted in 09 and before saying this man would go rounds and beat guys who fought in 70s-90s.....

[@lucax2300]

If Tommy Burns somehow won this fight, he'd have been remembered as one of the greatest of all time. But instead, he's remembered for relinquishing his title to Jack Johnson.

[@NathanThePrezPretlow]

Too much holding in this fight the Referee was no good.

[@tuyixagonrwandarwejofulgen6710]

I was there that Time☝️

[@derrickmcadoo3804]

It's like a 'Praying Mantis' fighting a 'Beetle'. But the praying mantis is told not to defeat the beetle, until later in the game. Which makes for an odd 'game'.

[@guywilliams6569]

Where's the knockdown in round 2???

[@adamj6361]

That's arguably #1

[@ModernDayRenaissanceMan]

5:27 look at all those cameras & this is the ONLY footage that survived? It's obvious that cameras were more common at this time than I was left to believe. You usually only see a single stand alone camera & usually in the 1900s people are surprised to see one if you watch the videos. Yet here they are... Lined up like it's the 1930s or 40s.

[@TomBleecker]

Interesting that Johnson is fighting barefoot, and Burns is wearing shoes.

[@poloblack2364]

Jack Johnson was ah certified ass whooper.. Cassius Clay said he was crazy

[@money4life188]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/gqjdpIOqebp3ebM

[@AnonymousRalte]

Ali

[@plane7]

I have a record of 46-5-9(34) for Burns.#164 all-time heavyweight ranking.Weighed 167 or 168.5lbs.Johnson weighed 192 lbs.

[@Bruins-vq5ey]

Tell me 163 heavys better than Burns..is that your ranking? Cuz if it is seek help immediately

[@plane7]

@@Bruins-vq5ey lol.I found that ranking of burns on an American website.I would rate him in the top 50's.

[@Vefyoutubecensorfutub]

Before this fight, Burnes had knocked out white challengers bigger and heavier than Jack.

[@Bruins-vq5ey]

47-5-9

[@Bruins-vq5ey]

Burns 180 lb when champ

[@Blackpplrcool]

The commentary didnt tell us how much burns weighs. Or did he?

[@dontworryaboutme6410]

Props to burns giving johnson a title shot .

[@backinblood3218]

No he had to

[@yourroyalhighness7662]

Johnson had to chase Brusso for two years and promoters had to come up with a huge amount of $$$ before Noah would dare set foot in a ring to face the beating that he almost certainly knew was coming. Also, Brusso hurled all manner of racial insults at Jack. Noah was fortunate that Johnson held back. Watch the PBS documentary about Jack Johnson if you have any doubts about this.

[@Bruins-vq5ey]

​@@backinblood3218no he didn't...he was ahead of his time

[@Bruins-vq5ey]

​@@yourroyalhighness7662they both hurled insults at each other one no more than the other.. And burns could've made more than 30,000 if he kept defending the title so your money excuse isnt accurate.. Also that pbs special was about Jack Johnson...not Tommy Burns so..... Please educate yourself on Noah Brusso son.

[@yourroyalhighness7662]

@@Bruins-vq5ey Brusso hurled racist insults, not Johnson. Big difference. Brusso was lucky that Jack carried him for as long as he did. If Johnson had been really mad he would have destroyed him very quickly. Even leading ip to the Johnson-Jeffries fight the little Canadian still hurled racist insults at Jack. The little man was not too bright.

[@Haruo-6768]

The man with the golden grill

[@guywilliams6569]

Jack MUST have been RICH BEFORE the Burns fight to be able to "fly to all of his title fights"... AND bypass the racism/restrictions that most blacks faced in that day!!

[@Respect12948]

They cut out most of Johnson’s best work in this fight and these highlights are meant to be tommys best moments and he still looks like a child next to Johnson just shows how good he was in comparison

[@Bruins-vq5ey]

Wrong

[@Respect12948]

@@Bruins-vq5ey whatever you see little bro

[@Bruins-vq5ey]

Change your handle cuz you have none son

[@Respect12948]

@@Bruins-vq5ey for who tommy burns the guy who ducked jones for years and didn’t give him his fair shot

[@Bruins-vq5ey]

@@Respect12948 what are you talking about? He got his shot. You fault a guy for making a few defenses around the world and make a few bucks? Johnson was damn lucky that Gentleman Burns kept his word and gave him a shot at all.. Burns did more for the black race than Johnson lol

[@mr.safecharliedefensivedri9741]

To me Mr. John (Jack)Arthur Johnson was disrespected to the highest degree, The referee wasn't watching what was being done to Mr Johnson. To me Mr.Johnson Won,

[@javusbonmon6937]

🥊🥊💪🏾👊🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

[@Joeblow-ms3cv]

Go Jack Johnson. Good for you! 🙂

[@GoWandererGo]

That is one big hight difference.

[@jimdenson]

🔥

[@stanleygrayson3186]

You have to give man SO much credit.He did what he wanted to do😮😮😮

[@waterwells7576]

Johnson was holding Burns up at one point

[@deverbijstering6299]

May i have this dance Sir?