By Frank Warren
This week marks the 100th anniversary of Jack Johnson's 'Fight of the Century' victory against James J Jeffries.
Johnson became America's first black world champion in 1908.
His achievement paved the way for the likes of Joe Louis, Sugar Ray Robinson, Muhammad Ali and Mike Tyson - but he was vilified by the establishment.
In those days, world championship boxing was the preserve of white fighters and Johnson wound up in prison on trumped-up vice charges. Campaigners have been pressing for a pardon ever since.
What more fitting way to mark the anniversary of his win over Jeffries than for President Barack Obama to grant it.
Johnson's legacy was the black boxing champions who followed in his footsteps. Yet since the 1990s, their number has been in steady decline.
Nowhere has the change been more noticeable than at heavyweight where in the last decade, eastern Europeans have taken over.
MANNY HOPING
THE final decision on Manny Pacquiao's showdown with Floyd Mayweather will be made next week.
Apparently, the only sticking point now is Mayweather's purse demands for a 60-40 split.
But I'm sure a deal will be done for a November 13 clash.
