Tommy Burns was the world heavyweight champion from 1906 to 1908, capturing the championship from Marvin Hart in Los Angeles in a 20-round decision before losing to Jack Johnson in Sydney, Australia, via knockout in 14 rounds.
Burns fought 60 times between 1900 and 1920, winning 46 and 36 by knockout. Near the end of his boxing career, Burns joined the Canadian army and taught boxing to new recruits. He also had several business enterprises, including a garment store and a speakeasy. Burns experienced a religious conversion late in life and was ordained as a pastor in 1948. Despite the considerable sums he had earned throughout his career, Burns died destitute.
