Jack Johnson, the first black world heavyweight boxing champion, 1908 (1951).

Jack Johnson, the first black world heavyweight boxing champion, 1908 (1951). Nicknamed the 'Galveston Giant', Jack Johnson (1878-1946) became world champion in 1908 when he defeated Canada's Tommy Burns in Sydney. There was considerable opposition to the concept of a black man being world heavyweight champion, and a succession of 'great white hopes' attempted to take the title from Johnson. In 1910 in what was billed 'the fight of the century', the former undefeated champion James J Jeffries came out of retirement to fight Johnson in Reno, Nevada. Jeffries stated I am going into this fight for the sole purpose of proving that a white man is better than a negro and the fight took place in a highly charged atmosphere of racial tension. Johnson dominated the fight, and Jeffries' corner pulled him out in the 15th round to prevent him suffering a knockout. Johnson earned $225,000 from his victory, which sparked race riots across the United States. He held the world title until 1915, when he was defeated by Jess Willard. A print from 100 Years in Pictures, A panorama of History in the Making, text by DC Somervell, Odhams press Limited, London, 1951. (Photo by The Print Collector/Print Collector/Getty Images)
Jack Johnson, the first black world heavyweight boxing champion, 1908 (1951). Nicknamed the 'Galveston Giant', Jack Johnson (1878-1946) became world champion in 1908 when he defeated Canada's Tommy Burns in Sydney. There was considerable opposition to the concept of a black man being world heavyweight champion, and a succession of 'great white hopes' attempted to take the title from Johnson. In 1910 in what was billed 'the fight of the century', the former undefeated champion James J Jeffries came out of retirement to fight Johnson in Reno, Nevada. Jeffries stated I am going into this fight for the sole purpose of proving that a white man is better than a negro and the fight took place in a highly charged atmosphere of racial tension. Johnson dominated the fight, and Jeffries' corner pulled him out in the 15th round to prevent him suffering a knockout. Johnson earned $225,000 from his victory, which sparked race riots across the United States. He held the world title until 1915, when he was defeated by Jess Willard. A print from 100 Years in Pictures, A panorama of History in the Making, text by DC Somervell, Odhams press Limited, London, 1951. (Photo by The Print Collector/Print Collector/Getty Images)
Jack Johnson, the first black world heavyweight boxing champion, 1908 (1951).
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Credit:
Print Collector / Contributor
Editorial #:
463979179
Collection:
Hulton Archive
Date created:
01 January, 1951
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Release info:
Not released. More information
Source:
Hulton Archive
Barcode:
580023658
Object name:
2365810
Max file size:
3056 x 5704 px (25.87 x 48.29 cm) - 300 dpi - 3 MB