jack johnson ts..

 Galveston Giant” Jack Johnson is the biggest figure in boxing history.

Most boxing fans consider Muhammad Ali to be the greatest. This has less to do with boxing skills and achievements and more to do with activities outside the ring. But in the history of boxing there were people who went beyond the sport much more than Ali. And the most prominent such boxer is Jack Johnson.

1. Johnson is the first black world heavyweight champion in boxing history. He became one in that era when black boxers were not allowed within a shot of a cannon shot to fight with whites, much less to the title fights. But Jack was so good in the ring and so popular outside of it that big money trumped racism in the promoters' minds.

2. To help you understand all the pressure Johnson faced, I’ll tell you what the newspapers wrote before Jack’s world title fight with the popular white boxer James Jeffries. New York Times excerpt: “If a black man wins, thousands upon thousands of his ignorant brothers will misinterpret his victory as a justification for claiming more than physical equality with their white neighbors.”

3. In 1910, the largest fight in boxing history took place. White heavyweight James Jeffries came out of retirement to fight Jack Johnson. He said this: “I am going to this fight with the sole purpose of proving that a white man is better than a black man.” The problem for Jeffries was that he hadn't fought in 6 years and had gained over 100 extra pounds. He didn't train at all and spent all his time on his farm.

Despite the terrible treatment of black boxers, the agreement was fair. The winner receives 75% of the prize fund, and 25% goes to the loser. Everyone receives 1/3 of the money from the rights to film and reproduce the fight. Every major newspaper called Jeffries the "Great White Hope." To ensure the fight went smoothly, the organizers banned the bringing of weapons and alcohol into the arena. All spectators were carefully searched. Johnson defeated Jeffries by TKO in the 15th round after the white ex-champion's corner threw in the towel.

4. After the battle, a wave of unrest swept across the United States. Angry white people began to attack black people. More than 20 people were killed and more than 100 were injured (and this is only according to official data, in reality it is more). The recording of the fight was banned from distribution by President Theodore Roosevelt on the pretext that boxing involved betting and was demoralizing to society. In reality, he could not allow black people to feel equal to white people.

5. Despite the enormous aggression and hatred towards Johnson, he opposed the system, and how beautifully: he publicly appeared with white women, which was actually banned at that time; opened his own popular restaurant, where blacks naturally could enter; drove expensive cars, often defiantly breaking the speed limit in front of white police officers; starred in commercials for leading brands. In the 1910s, Jack was the most popular black athlete in the world and spat in the face of the system.

6. There is one incident that best reflects Johnson's character. One day he was stopped by a policeman for speeding and fined him $50. Jack gave the officer $100. He said that he could not exchange such an amount, to which he received the answer: “Keep the change for yourself, because I will go back at the same speed.” And this is at a time when a black man could be shot for any mistake, and sometimes just because.​​

7. In 1920, Johnson opened his own nightclub, raised its price and sold it 3 years later under pressure from the authorities. He also had three wives, all of them white. Naturally, like any self-respecting black world boxing champion with gangster habits, Johnson once beat his wife until she was hospitalized. Apparently, Tyson, Mayweather, Gervonta and other boxers of the following eras were inspired not only by Jack’s boxing skills. By the way, that wife still committed suicide in 1912 due to Johnson’s constant rudeness and infidelity. Jack did not grieve for a long time and that same year he married an 18-year-old prostitute.

8. Interestingly, Johnson had a patent on the fact that he was able to modify a wrench that had appeared 35 years earlier. Jack boxed until he was 60 years old. Of course, there was no talk of big victories, but somehow he managed to get money.