September 3, 1908 – Prize fighter Tommy Burns was the world champion in the heavyweight division of boxing in the first decade of the 20th-Century. His eye was on the prize of keeping his belt and preparing to step in the ring with the top challenger for his title, Jack Johnson.
The Canadian boxing champion bided his time and spent it well as on this day he traveled down under and knocked out Australian upstart Bill Lang in 6 rounds in Melbourne in a warmup fight for his famous title bout with Mr. Johnson. Burns was finally enticed to fight challenger Jack Johnson at the Sydney Stadium in Rushcutters Bay, Boxing Day 1908.
The fight was to change the history of boxing with Johnson crowned the first black Heavyweight World Champion.
To find more great daily sports history make sure to check out the Sports Jersey Dispatch and Pigskin Dispatch.
More From Sports History Network
How Prepaid Access Shaped Casual Sports Gaming
Before apps auto saved cards and one tap wallets became standard, casual fans who
How the World of Sports Learned to Completely Accept the Betting Industry
Professional sports leagues once treated gambling like a contagious disease. Team owners banned players
Horse Racing, High School Rivalries & Lesser-Known Missouri Sports Stories
Missouri’s sports timeline is a layered scrapbook: dusty 19th-century racetracks, high school rivalries that
Predicting the Match Outcomes of the Most Historic Clubs in English Soccer System
The English Football League is the oldest league system dating way back to 1888.
Key Buffalo And New England Playmakers Who Could Shape Momentum
As NFL Week 15 arrives, the Buffalo Bills and New England Patriots stand at
Blue Corner Pro Boxing Returns to Kansas City in January 2026
Kansas City fight fans are preparing for a major moment as Blue Corner Pro
Muhammad Ali’s Chin: Knocked Down Only 4 Times
Muhammad Ali’s boxing career is well documented, so instead of going over his entire
Remembering the 1973 Denver Broncos
The 1973 Denver Broncos were indeed a special team. They were the first Denver