Man, Jack Johnson became Heavyweight Champion in 1908. African Americans where treated like dirt in 1908. Then Jack Johnson became the baddest man on the planet. He had an 11 year unbeaten streak. He also beat all the top fighters of his time, he can do no more than that.
Once Jack Johnson became champion he didn't fight the best available competition. Sam Langford, Sam McVey, Joe Jeanette etc...would have given Johnson tougher fights than the white hopes he feasted on. Johnson's excuse was that two black men fighting for the title would not make money but he he did defend against one black fighter, Battling Jim Johnson. Johnson was offered big money to fight Langford in Australia and Europe and turned down the offers, by saying he had already beaten him once (when Langford weighed 155 lbs).
His only real significance in boxing history is that he was the first black champion. I've said it before but if Johnson was white we would never have heard of him today.
Ali, Liston, Foreman, Tyson, Frazier, Louis, Lewis, Holyfield - would all own his ass.
His only real significance in boxing history is that he was the first black champion. I've said it before but if Johnson was white we would never have heard of him today.
Ali, Liston, Foreman, Tyson, Frazier, Louis, Lewis, Holyfield - would all own his ass.
Jack Johnson had a defense second to none. And a counter punch that could knock your teeth out. He's a top three fighter any way you cut it. Even Bert Sugar says so, but Im sure we all know more than him.
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