On September 26, 1908, he knocked out "Buffalo" Eddie Kelly, a strong puncher who would go on to challenge Abe Attell twice that year for the World Featherweight Championship.

On February 15, 1910, Burns defeated Jewish boxer Charley Goldman for the first time in a ten-round decision of the Boston Globe at New York City's Brown's Gym.

On March 31, 1911, Burns lost to the great ex-Featherweight champion Abe Attell at New York's New Amsterdam Opera House in a ten-round newspaper decision in what was likely a no-decision bout.

[1] On October 23, 1911, Burns defeated Monte Attell in a non-title ten-round newspaper decision of New Orleans' Daily Times-Picayune.

[1] New Orleans' Times-Democrat gave six of the ten rounds to Burns who they believed deserved the decision in the fairly close bout.

On February 18, 1912, Burns first challenged Johnny Coulon for the World Bantamweight Championship at the Westside Athletic Club in Gretna, Louisiana, losing in a twenty-round points decision.

[5] On June 23, 1913, Burns would again meet Coulon for the World Bantamweight Championship at Kenosha, Wisconsin, in a no decision bout, which ended in a ten-round draw.

[1] On December 6, 1915, Burns met Kid Williams in a World Bantamweight Title match at the Tulane Arena in New Orleans, Louisiana, drawing in a twenty-round points decision.

On February 22, 1917, Burns defeated Italian boxer Young Zulu Kid, at the Pioneer Sporting Club in New York City in a fourth-round TKO.

[13] Young Zulu Kid was an Italian boxer who had recently contended for the World Flyweight Title in London against Jimmy Wilde.

In his last attempt at the World Bantamweight Title, Burns fought Pete Herman, on November 5, 1917, before around 10,000 fans, losing in a twenty-round points decision at the Louisiana Auditorium in New Orleans.