Bio on jack johnson
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His life was a testament to courage, resilience, and the unyielding spirit of a man who refused to bow to oppression—inside and outside the ring.
Historical Fight Reports
Tommy Burns vs Jack Johnson
at Sydney Stadium, Sydney, Australia
Title: World Heavyweight Title
Tommy Burns
Jack Johnson
Tommy Burns
Jack Johnson
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Frequently Asked Questions About Jack Johnson
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The son of former slaves, Johnson grew up in poverty, working various odd jobs from a young age.
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In an era when Black fighters were often denied opportunities to compete for major titles, Johnson's journey to the top was marked by perseverance.
Jack Johnson
1878–1946
Who Was Jack Johnson?
Boxer Jack Johnson was born in Galveston, Texas, in 1878. But trouble was always lurking. We have worked as daily newspaper reporters, major national magazine editors, and as editors-in-chief of regional media publications. His relationships with white women, in particular, made him a target of widespread public outrage and legal persecution.
In 1913, authorities convicted Johnson under the Mann Act due to his high-profile lifestyle and defiance of societal norms.
By the early 1900s, the 6'2" Johnson, who'd become known as the Galveston Giant, had made a name for himself in the black boxing circuit and had his eyes set on the world heavyweight title, which was held by white boxer Jim Jeffries. To meet the team, visit our About Us page: https://www.biography.com/about/a43602329/about-us
Early Life and Rise to Prominence
Boxer Jack Johnson, born John Arthur Johnson on March 31, 1878, in Galveston, Texas, emerged from humble beginnings to become one of the most significant figures in boxing history.
Johnson's official record stood at 72 wins (38 by knockout), 11 losses, and 11 draws, with several no-contests.
Tragically, Johnson's life ended on June 10, 1946, in a car accident near Raleigh, North Carolina. In 1908 he became the first African American to win the world heavyweight crown when he knocked out the reigning champ, Tommy Burns.
2018, after decades of appeals, Johnson received a posthumous presidential pardon for his unjust Mann Act conviction—a symbolic but essential acknowledgement of the injustice he endured.
Jack Johnson was not merely a champion; he was a revolutionary figure who redefined what it meant to be an athlete and a public figure. Dubbed the "Fight of the Century," more than 22,000 eager fans turned out for the bout, held in Reno, Nevada.
Jack Johnson passed away on 10th Jun 1946, having lived 68 yrs. Twenty years later, Johnson was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame and his life also became the subject of the acclaimed Ken Burns’ documentary Unforgivable Blackness (2004).
Quotes
- The fight between life and death is to the finish, and death ultimately is the victor...
He was a pioneer who broke racial barriers and paved the way for future generations of African American athletes. One of the most notable defences occurred on July 4, 1910, against James J. Jeffries, a former champion coaxed out of retirement to reclaim the title for white America. His life story has been the subject of numerous books, documentaries, and cultural works, including the 1970 play “The Great White Hope,” which was later adapted into a film.
Johnson was declared the winner, becoming the first Black man to hold the world heavyweight title.
Johnson's reign as champion was as controversial as it was dominant. Johnson, however, remained undeterred, fighting numerous matches and gaining a reputation as a formidable opponent.
Embed from Getty ImagesHis persistence paid off on December 26, 1908, when he faced Canadian boxer Tommy Burns in Sydney, Australia.
He was a pioneer who shattered racial barriers and paid a heavy price for his defiance. Finally, on December 26, 1908, the flamboyant Johnson, who often taunted his opponents as he beat them soundly, got his chance for the title when champion Tommy Burns fought him outside of Sydney, Australia.
Burns, who had succeeded Jeffries as champion, had only agreed to fight Johnson after promoters guaranteed him $30,000.