John Arthur Johnson also known as the “Galveston Giant” was an African-American boxer who at the height of the Jim Crow era became the first black world heavyweight boxing champion (1908–1915). His 1910 fight against James J. Jeffries was dubbed the “fight of the century”.
Jack Johnson’s efforts to win the world heavyweight title were initially thwarted, as at the time world heavyweight champion James J. Jeffries refused to face him and retired instead. However, Johnson did fight former champion Bob Fitzsimmons in July 1907 and knocked him out in two rounds.
Johnson finally won the world heavyweight title on December 26, 1908; a full six years after lightweight champion Joe Gans became the first African American boxing champion. Johnson defeated Jeffries, who was white, triggering dozens of race riots across the U.S.
According to filmmaker Ken Burns, “For more than thirteen years, Jack Johnson was the most famous and the most notorious black boxer on Earth”. He is widely regarded as one of the most influential boxers in history.
Transcending boxing, he became part of the culture and history of racism in the United States.
In 1912, Johnson opened a successful and luxurious “black and tan” (desegregated) restaurant and nightclub, which in part was run by his wife, a white woman.
Major newspapers of the time soon claimed that Johnson was attacked by the government only after he became famous as a black man married to a white woman, and was linked to other white women.
Johnson was arrested on charges of violating the Mann Act forbidding one to transport a woman across state lines for “immoral purposes” a racially motivated charge that embroiled him in controversy for his relationships, including marriages.
Sentenced to a year in prison, Johnson fled the country and fought boxing matches abroad for seven years until 1920, when he served his sentence at the federal penitentiary at Leavenworth.
Johnson continued taking paying fights for many years and operated several other businesses, including lucrative endorsement deals. He died in a car crash in 1946 at the age of 68.
Johnson was indisputably considered one of the best heavyweights to ever exist based solely on his ring prowess. His influence on culture is unmatched and he paved the way for the champions who followed.
Source: Wikipedia