One hundred fourteen years ago – Jack Johnson becomes the first African-American heavyweight champion

One hundred and fourteen years ago, heavyweight champion Tommy Burns was favored by a 7-4 margin over challenger Jack Johnson.

Born Noah Brusso in Ontario, Canada, Burns was an athletic kid who made his bones in lacrosse and hockey. Burns, who grew up poor, turned professional in early 1900 in the lightweight division. He fought 12 times against varying degrees of competition, winning them all. Check out our top Boxing Betting sites.

Aggressive and often shorter than his opponent, Burns rushed his opponent like a bull, absorbing punishment. Three years later, still undefeated, he campaigned in the middleweight division, eventually losing his undefeated record against middleweight champion Jack Twin Sullivan.

Unperturbed, Burns accepted an opportunity against newly crowned heavyweight champion Marvin Hart.

Hart, who had defeated Johnson and Jack Root in 1905, was expected to depose of Burns inside of 10 rounds. Instead, Burns beat up Hart over 20 heats.

Johnson, Sam Langford, and Joe Jeanette had deserved a shot at the time more than Burns. Johnson had the edge since he had defeated them all. He called Burns a coward. Remember, this went down in 1906.

Check out the top sportsbook for betting on Boxing

4.6/5

DraftKings Review

New DraftKings Customers: Bet $5+ Get $100 in Bonus Bets Instantly!

Bet now

GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET, (800) 327-5050 or visit gamblinghelplinema.org (MA). Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). Please Gamble Responsibly. 888-789-7777/visit ccpg.org (CT), or visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). 21+ and present in most states. (18+ DC/KY/NH/PR/WY). Void in NH/OR/ONT/PR. Eligibility restrictions apply. On behalf of Boot Hill Casino (KS). Pass-thru of per wager tax may apply in IL. 1 per new DraftKings customer. $5+ first-time bet req. Max. $100 issued as non-withdrawable Bonus Bets that expire in 7 days (168 hours). Stake removed from payout. Terms: Promos | DraftKings Sportsbook . Ends 5/31/26 at 11:59 PM ET.

4.6/5

FanDuel Review

New Users – Get $350 in Bonus Bets Guaranteed – When You Bet $5 for 7 Days!

Bet now

Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET. Call 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT). Hope is here. GamblingHelplineMA.org or call (800) 327-5050 for 24/7 support (MA). Visit mdgamblinghelp.org (MD). Call 1-877-8HOPE-NY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 21+ (18+ DC, KY, WV). Void where prohibited. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit www.gamblersanonymous.org . Must be 21+ in NJ, PA, MI, or WV. $10 first deposit req. Bonus issued as non-withdrawable bonus spins which expire 7 days after receipt. Restrictions apply. Contact 1-877-770-7867 (LA).

4.5/5

BetMGM Review

Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win

Bet now

Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET (Available in the US) 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY) 1-800-327-5050 (MA), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). 21+ only. Please Gamble Responsibly. See BetMGM.com for Terms. First Bet Offer for new customers only (if applicable). Subject to eligibility requirements. Bonus bets are non-withdrawable. In partnership with Kansas Crossing Casino and Hotel. Promotional offers not available in Mississippi, New York, Ontario, or Puerto Rico.

Burns ignored the taunts – demolishing Bill Squires in a little over a minute, Jack Dempsey conqueror (maybe) Fireman Jim Flynn in 15, and drew with Philadelphia Jack O’Brien.

A rematch went down six months later, with Burns mauling his way to victory.

After his victory, Burns,27, sailed to Australia with Johnson in hot pursuit. Burns knocked out Gunner Moir, Jack Palmer, and Irish champion Jem Roache in eighty-eight seconds. Johnson taunted him from ringside.

Burns accepted Australian promoter Hugh McIntosh’s record purse of thirty-thousand to defend against Johnson. To his credit, he would not draw the color line. The defense would be the twelve of his reign. Burns had flattened eight consecutive opponents.

Johnson, 30, had been fighting for 11 years.

According to boxrec.com, his record at the time was 46-5. His game was counter-punching – using his opponent’s aggression against him. Many writers at the time said his fights were boring. A modern comparison, forgetting the size difference – Andre Ward.

Since being stopped by Joe Choynski in 1903, Johnson had steadily improved. Especially his defense. He was cat-quick and intelligent in and out of the ring. He had become a great fighter.

The referee would decide the winner of the fight. Johnson was concerned for obvious (racial) reasons.

Twenty thousand fight fans crowded into the Sydney Stadium on December 26, 1908, to witness the fight. Another thirty to forty thousand milled outside the arena. Everybody had an opinion. Most picked Burns to stop Johnson.

The fight, or the dominance, began at one pm.

Jack Johnson vs Tommy Burns 26.12.1908 – World Heavyweight Championship (Highlights)

For one of the few times in his career – Johnson got off first in the opening stanza. Setting his left glove on his left hip, he fired a few rapid fire-up jabs that connected.

Johnson held Burns, testing his strength, then went back to work. Soon after, Burns, roughly five inches shorter and twenty-six pounds lighter, was down from an inside uppercut. He rose at the count of eight.

Burns charged the challenger and worked the body. Johnson laughed and fired more uppercuts.

He was a cat playing with a mouse. He was bigger, faster, and stronger.

He beckoned Burns to attack. He talked. Burns, knowing his only chance was to land a big right-hand shot, dove in but was jarred by a clean combination. Burns yelled racial epitaphs at Johnson and held. Check out the top boxing odds.

Johnson said, “Let’s fight, you yellow gray man. You’ve been running away from me long enough.”

Burns had his best moment in round three. He startled Johnson with his Sunday best – a right hand.

By round four, Burns left eye was puffy. Blood dripped from his mouth. The gutsy Burns landed some more body shots in round five. Johnson smiled and chatted with the media at ringside. He then snapped Burns head back with jabs.

Johnson stunned Burns with a long left in round six. He followed up with a combination.

Burns face continued to swell.

Still, he wouldn’t quit.

The bout would end in round 14. Johnson popped a weak Burns with blow after blow – culminating with a heavy right. Burns swayed. Police jumped into the ring and stopped the fight. Thru bloody lips, Burns yelled at Johnson. No one could deny his courage.

Said author Jack London, “The fight. The word is a misnomer. There was no fight. No Armenian massacre would compare with the hopeless slaughter that took place in the Stadium. It was not a case of too much Johnson, but of all Johnson.”