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
Sports History On This Day: May 7
May 7, 1917 – Babe Ruth was an outstanding hitter right? Well, he was a
Sports History On This Day: May 6
May 6, 1954 – Great Britain’s distance-runner, Roger Bannister became the first person to record
The Story of Tony Esposito (One of the Greatest Players in NHL History)
We’ve lost another great one. Tony Esposito passed away on August 10, 2021 after
Sports History On This Day: May 5
May 5, 1863 – From the sports realm of the boxing ring. It was on this
Tim Hanlon Reminds Us There Are “GOOD SEATS STILL AVAILABLE!”
This week I bring Tim Hanlon on the show to take us back in
Sports History On This Day: May 4
May 4, 1969 – The Cincinnati Red Stockings played their first official baseball game. In
Sports History On This Day: May 3
May 3, 1910 – The Intercollegiate Athletic Association of the United States is renamed the National Collegiate
1970 Minnesota Vikings (Would This Be Their Year?)
Fresh off a Super Bowl appearance, many predicted the 1970 Vikings would be back