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In an extraordinary story of heart and determination, set against the backdrop of racial infighting, FSN presents AMAZING SPORTS STORIES: JOE JEANETTE, airing on Sunday, May 11 at 8:00 PM local. Jeanette, an African-American boxer, began fighting in 1904 in New Jersey. At first, it was just street brawls and scuffles until he graduated to hard-hitting heavyweight bouts.. Two years after turning pro, he was considered one of the best black heavyweights in the nation, mentioned in the same breath as Jack Johnson, Sam Langford, and his arch-rival, Sam McVey.
But after Johnson became the first African American heavyweight champion 1908, he refused to fight Jeanette. Despite numerous challenges, Johnson was steadfast in his refusal. Johnson’s rejection of his fellow black boxers stung the African American community.
Though Jeanette had no chance to win the championship, he continued to fight. And win. Europe provided an enthusiastic audience for bouts between black boxers, and Jeanette accepted a fight against the formidable Sam McVey.
The bout took place in Paris in the spring of 1909. Jeanette pounded McVey into the canvas 11 times, but McVey returned the favor twice over, knocking Jeanette to the ground an unbelievable 27 times. When the 50th round began, more than 3 hours after the opening bell, McVey refused to budge. Jeanette, weak and bloodied, had somehow prevailed. He didn’t win a title, but the honor of victory was enough.
You've gotta see the episode on FSN or wherever, I couldn't find it on youtube yet. It had great commentary from Bert Randolph Sugar and other historians. It also had really good insight about the era and how Jack Johnson was ducking other black heavyweights, forcing them to fight overseas for the " black " heavyweight title.
But after Johnson became the first African American heavyweight champion 1908, he refused to fight Jeanette. Despite numerous challenges, Johnson was steadfast in his refusal. Johnson’s rejection of his fellow black boxers stung the African American community.
Though Jeanette had no chance to win the championship, he continued to fight. And win. Europe provided an enthusiastic audience for bouts between black boxers, and Jeanette accepted a fight against the formidable Sam McVey.
The bout took place in Paris in the spring of 1909. Jeanette pounded McVey into the canvas 11 times, but McVey returned the favor twice over, knocking Jeanette to the ground an unbelievable 27 times. When the 50th round began, more than 3 hours after the opening bell, McVey refused to budge. Jeanette, weak and bloodied, had somehow prevailed. He didn’t win a title, but the honor of victory was enough.
You've gotta see the episode on FSN or wherever, I couldn't find it on youtube yet. It had great commentary from Bert Randolph Sugar and other historians. It also had really good insight about the era and how Jack Johnson was ducking other black heavyweights, forcing them to fight overseas for the " black " heavyweight title.
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