We travel all the way back to 1907 to look at the time when legendary Canadian heavyweight Tommy Burns defended his title against British fighter Gunner Moir.
The fight, which took place in Covent Garden, was one of Burns' 13 title defences. He won with a 10th-round knockout.
While the fight was significant, the impact of Burns is more interesting, particularly as he was a unique fighter and a man ahead of his time.
The fight itself
The Burns versus Moir fight was the first-ever world heavyweight championship bout staged in Britain under modern rules. Fighting for a purse of £3,000, Burns reportedly entered the ring in full evening wear and proceeded to strip in his corner.
There was a big disparity in size between the Canadian and the Briton, with the latter looking to keep his opponent at bay with his jab.
However, Burns was intent on taking the fight to Moir and as the fight wore on, the blows he landed became increasingly effective.
By the end of the sixth round, Moir’s left eye was badly cut. He lasted until the 10th when a left-right combination put him down.
He got up but the fight was stopped soon after as one last headshot dropped him to the ropes and he was counted out.
Small but tough, a fighter from a young age
Burns’ real name was Noah Brusso. He was born to German and Canadian parents in Ontario in 1881. Raised in poverty as the 12th of 13 children, Burns was remarkably small for a heavyweight.
Compared to a modern specimen like Tyson Fury, he was miniscule. Where Fury stands 206cm tall and boasts a reach of 216cm, Burns was just 170cm tall with a reach of 185cm. Burns weighed just 79kg too.
Thirteen title defences
Despite this, Burns was brave and a pioneer. You do not defend your title 13 times without having a bit about you. Having seen five of his siblings die before they reached adulthood, Burns knew how to make the most of his opportunities.
Perhaps the most remarkable thing about Burns' multiple title defences was the fact that they all happened in the space of just three years. Reports suggest that on one occasion he defended his title twice in a single night!
In a time before aeroplanes, travel was neither quick nor easy yet Burns is regarded as one of, if not the, first fighter to travel the globe to defend his title.
Fighting all comers
More than just being the first Canadian Heavyweight champion, Burns was also the first boxer to put his title on the line against an African American fighter.
Speaking ahead of the famous bout against the legendary Jack Johnson, his biography reports that he said: "I will defend my title against all comers, none barred. By this I mean white, black, Mexican, Indian, or any other nationality.
"I propose to be the champion of the world, not the white, or the Canadian, or the American. If I am not the best man in the heavyweight division, I don't want the title."
Burns lost the fight against Johnson but that did not stop him boxing. He continued to fight until 1920.
Watch Usyk vs. Fury 2 on DAZN PPV - Buy Now
Oleksandr Usyk vs. Tyson Fury 2 and the full undercard will be broadcast live on DAZN Pay-Per-View worldwide in over 200 countries.
You can buy the PPV right now for £24.99 in the UK / $39.95 in the US, which comes with a seven day free trial of DAZN.
Purchasing the Usyk vs Fury 2 PPV before December 4 will automatically enter you into a prize draw to win a VIP trip for two people to Riyadh to watch the fight ringside. Click here for more information on this incredible prize and to enter.
Being a PPV event means this is a one-off payment, with no contract or future extra costs.
The Usyk vs. Fury fight and all DAZN content can be watched anywhere and everywhere on any device via the DAZN App. Watch on smart TV's, smartphones, tablets, games consoles, streaming devices and any device with a web browser.
More Usyk vs. Fury 2
- WIN a VIP trip to Riyadh to watch Usyk vs. Fury 2
- List of the 10 greatest heavyweight boxers of all time: Has Tyson Fury done enough to make the cut?
- Oleksandr Usyk vs. Tyson Fury 2 fight guide
- Oleksandr Usyk vs. Tyson Fury 2 undercard guide
- There's no fear there!' - Tyson Fury compares Oleksandr Usyk to threat of Deontay Wilder ahead of rematch
- Fury predicts specific ending to heavyweight title rematch
- 'He has to conquer his own self first!' - Lennox Lewis offers insight into Tyson Fury
- Usyk vs. Fury 2: World champion Daniel Dubois makes prediction for rematch
- Usyk vs. Fury 2 - Bernard Hopkins makes emphatic prediction for heavyweight rematch
- Tyson Fury reveals wife suffered miscarriage on eve of Oleksandr Usyk defeat