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
Super Bowl XIV (Steelers vs. Rams): An Ultimate Recount of the Game
Today we have Super Bowl XIV, which was held on January 20, 1980, in
New York Mets: World Series Appearances
It goes without saying that the New York Mets have not had anywhere near
Jay Berwanger: The NFL’s First-Ever Draft Pick (1936)
One of the most important innovations in the history of the National Football League
Super Bowl XIII (Steelers vs. Cowboys): An Ultimate Recount of the Game
Today we have Super Bowl XIII, which was held on January 21, 1979, in
1973 NFL Playoffs – A Year of Redemption for 3 Teams
Seemingly every year in pro football, or at least every few years, a couple
New York Renaissance: America’s First All-Black Fully Professional Basketball Team
Today we are taking you to the barnstorming days of early basketball. Our subject
The History of the First Basketball Game Ever Played
Seeing that this is the very first entry of this blog I thought, what
Three Unique Chicago Bears: John “Bull” Doehring, Lloyd “Shorty” Burdick, and George Trafton
a trio of players from the Chicago Bears that you may have never heard