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
1963 New York Yankees: A Season of Dominance, A World Series To Forget
After winning the World Series in 1961 and 1962 under Manager Ralph Houk, the
From Elegant Ancient Chinese Footballers to the United Kingdom’s Crude Rabble
Over the last two millennia, humans have dotted the world with football. Connect these
The Best NFL Division in 1975 (AFC Central)
The American Football Conference’s Central Division was unquestionably the best division in pro football
Chuck Noll’s 1972 Steelers: How a Rookie and a Defense Built a Legacy
From 1933 (their first season in the NFL) through 1971, the Pittsburgh Steelers had
Unknown Facts From the History of Sports That Will Surprise You
The history of sports is vast and fascinating. This should come as no surprise,
The Best Wins at Cheltenham Ever
The famous Cheltenham Festival is just around the corner and excitement has been building
Legends, Lines, and Luck: How Gambling Wove Into the Fabric of Aussie Sport
Australians don’t just love sport — they live it. From backyard cricket games to
Fast Bets and Faster Payments: The Evolution of Sports Gambling and PayID Pokies
There’s no denying that sports and betting have been intertwined for decades. Whether it’s