Jack Johnson becomes the first African American to fight for the World Heavyweight title when he challenges Champion Tommy Burns in Australia during 1908. More info below... "The Little Giant of Hanover" Tommy Burns, was a scrappy Canadian fighter who holds the distinction of being the shortest World Heavyweight Champion in the history of the game, standing just 5'7" tall. He was a short stocky fighter who possessed decent punching power and an unusually long reach for a man of his height. Burns started his pro career in 1902 and went undefeated in 12 fights before suffering his first loss to Mike Schreck by decision, the first south paw he had ever faced. Burns bounced back and just a few months later won the Michigan State Middleweight title. In 1904 Burns fought Schreck in a rematch which ended in a draw after 6 rounds. Later that year Burns suffered his 2nd loss, this time to top heavyweight contender Philadelphia Jack O'Brien. In 1905 Burns met Jack Twin Sullivan in a fight which was billed as being for the World Middleweight Championship. The fight was ruled a draw after 20 rounds. 3 months later and Burns fought Hugo Kelly, another middleweight who claimed he was the World Champion at 158lbs, but once again it resulted in a draw over 10 rounds. They had an immediate rematch just 1 month later over 20 rounds but that to ended in a controversial draw. To round out the year, Burns met old rival Jack Twin Sullivan for a second time but Burns came up short over 20 rounds losing the decision leaving Sullivan to claim the World & American 158lb Middleweight titles. In 1906 Burns was scheduled to fight the recognized World Middleweight Champion Tommy Ryan but instead Burns pursued the newly crowned World Heavyweight Champion, Marvin Hart. Marvin Hart won the world championship when James J. Jeffries retired and many fans felt he was undeserving of the title, including Tommy Burns. Over 20 rounds Burns made Hart look very average and methodically counter punched his way to an easy decision win to become the World Heavyweight Champion. Hart would successfully defend his title 13 times in 5 countries, 11 wins by way of KO including 2 successful defenses against former rival Philadelphia Jack O'Brien, avenging his previous defeat. Burns had made a name for himself as a worthy champion however he was also actively dodging Jack Johnson who was travelling the world behind Burns, constantly calling him out only for his challenge to be turned down each and every time... But in 1908 Burns finally gave in and accepted Johnson's challenge. In return however, he demanded $30,000 to do it. Burns must have known on some level he was in over his head... For 14 rounds Johnson toyed with his much smaller opponent. Burns was never in the fight and could barely lay a hand on Johnson who was easily able to counter any offensive Burns tried to mount. And on the rare occasion when Burns managed to land a punch, Johnson laughed it off. In the 14th Round Johnson had enough playing around and brought a swift end to the fight, landing a flurry of shots on a defenseless Burns. Police were forced to intervene to stop the 1-sided beating in fear that there would be a riot if a black man was seen to knockout the white World Champion. Burns would later claim he could of continued if the police had stayed out of it but instead one of the most important fights in boxing history had come to its eventual conclusion with the first BLACK World Heavyweight Champion being crowned. Burns had built himself a decent reputation but following his loss to Johnson most fans and fellow boxers turned their back on him, blaming Burns for the fact a black man now lays claim to the richest prize in sport. Burns took a year and half break from the sport before returning in 1910 and beating Bill Lang by decision to win the Commonwealth Heavyweight title. Burns would only fight periodically over the next 10 years however he did win the vacant Canada Hea...