Share this Story : National Post Copy Link Email X Reddit Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr

Jesse Kline: The Canadian boxer who won by losing

Canadian Glory: In 1908, Tim Burns was the first to give a Black man a title shot

You can save this article by registering for free here. Or sign-in if you have an account.

Somewhere across this great land, someone or something great is just getting started. This country is built on game-changing people, ideas and initiatives: Wayne Gretzky redefined a game; oilsands innovations helped us prosper; Frederick Banting transformed millions of lives; Loblaws changed how we live. Today, we continue a National Post series that celebrates Canadian greatness, in whatever form we find it.

Enjoy the latest local, national and international news.

Exclusive articles by Conrad Black, Barbara Kay and others. Plus, special edition NP Platformed and First Reading newsletters and virtual events.

Unlimited online access to National Post.

National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.

Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.

Support local journalism.

Enjoy the latest local, national and international news.

Exclusive articles by Conrad Black, Barbara Kay and others. Plus, special edition NP Platformed and First Reading newsletters and virtual events.

Unlimited online access to National Post.

National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.

Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.

Support local journalism.

Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.

Access articles from across Canada with one account.

Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.

Enjoy additional articles per month.

Get email updates from your favourite authors.

Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.

Access articles from across Canada with one account

Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments

Enjoy additional articles per month

Get email updates from your favourite authors

Sign In or Create an Account

In boxing’s four-belt era, it often seems as though titles are handed out like candy. Yet among the alphabet soup of sanctioning bodies and the Ring magazine’s male rankings, only one Canadian currently holds a world title — WBC super middleweight champion Christian Mbilli, and he’s generally listed as a Frenchman. There was a time, however, when a Canadian held the greatest crown in sport — the world heavyweight championship. Yet Tommy Burns is not remembered for his mastery of the sweet science, but for almost getting knocked out.

Jesse Kline: The Canadian boxer who won by losing Back to video

This newsletter tackles hot topics with boldness, verve and wit. (Subscriber-exclusive edition on Fridays)

There was an error, please provide a valid email address.

By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.

A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.

The next issue of Platformed will soon be in your inbox.

We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try again

Interested in more newsletters? Browse here.

To understand what landed Burns — born Noah Brusso near Hanover, Ont. — in the annals of history, and the Post’s Canadian Glory series, one needs to know the story of Jack Johnson. An African-American, Johnson won the world coloured heavyweight championship in 1903 and quickly set his sights on the full crown, which had been held by James J. Jeffries since 1899. Johnson made a name for himself by beating every notable Black heavyweight on the West Coast of the United States, and after beating Sam McVey for a second time in Johnson’s first title defence on Feb. 26, 1903, even the racist press was forced to admit he was the top contender in the division. But Jeffries was adamant that he’d “never” step into the ring with a Black fighter.

Johnson did not take this lying down. On Oct. 18, 1904, he stopped Denver Ed Martin in brutal fashion and called out Jeffries after the match. Not long after, he confronted Jeffries in a pub, but could not convince the champion to give him a title shot. He was given a glimmer of hope the following year when Jeffries abruptly announced that he had run out of “logical” (read: white) challengers and........

© National Post