On This Day In Boxing History!

1946: Jack Johnson Passes!

Jack Johnson

Born: March 31st 1878      

Birth Name: John Arthur Johnson

Birth Place: Galveston, Texas

Residence: Raleigh, North Carolina

Pro-Debut: November 1st, 1897

Alias: Galveston Giant

Division: Heavyweight

Stance: Orthodox

Height: 6′ 0½″  

Reach: 74″  

Career: 1897-1931

Bouts: 75

Rounds: 692

Ko’s: 45.33%

Record: 54-11-7, 34Ko’s

*Starred in the silent films For His Mother's Sake & The Black Thunderbolt

*Holder of three patents, including U.S. patent for an improved wrench

*Fluent in French and Spanish

*Arrested for violating the Mann Act October 18, 1912

Died: Age 68, June 10th, 1946

Pardoned: By President Donald Trump, May 24, 2018

Jack Johnson born John Arthur Johnson in Galveston, Texas March 31st, 1878 - nicknamed the “Galveston Giant”, was an American boxer, the first black world heavyweight boxing champion 1908-1915.

Johnson, rose from humble beginnings as the son third child and first son of formerly enslaved parents Henry and Tina "Tiny" Johnson, to become one of the most influential and controversial figures in boxing history. Growing up in a large family, Johnson after just five years of formal schooling left school early to help support his family, working various jobs on the docks of Galveston. His entry into boxing began with “battle royal” fights—brutal spectacles where young Black men fought for the entertainment of white audiences, with the victor earning a small prize.

Johnson turned professional in 1897 and quickly distinguished himself with his defensive prowess, agility, and tactical intelligence in the ring. By 1898, he had already won the Texas State Middleweight title in his very first boxing match. Between 1902 and 1908, Johnson won 54 of 57 fights, a remarkable run that established him as a dominant force in the sport. During this period, Johnson also claimed the World Colored Heavyweight title in 1903, as racial barriers prevented him from competing for the world heavyweight championship against white boxers.

Johnson's boxing style was very distinctive. He developed a more patient approach than was customary in that day: playing defensively, waiting for a mistake, and then capitalizing on it. Johnson always began a bout cautiously, slowly building up over the rounds into a more aggressive fighter. He often fought to punish his opponents rather than knock them out, endlessly avoiding their blows and striking with swift counters. He always gave the impression of having much more to offer and, if pushed, he could punch powerfully.

Johnson's style was very effective, but it was criticized in the press as being cowardly and devious. By contrast, World Heavyweight Champion "Gentleman" Jim Corbett, who was white, had used many of the same techniques a decade earlier, and was praised by the press as "the cleverest man in boxing".

Johnson’s persistence paid off in 1908, when he finally secured a bout for the world heavyweight title against Tommy Burns in Sydney, Australia. Johnson won by technical knockout in the fourteenth round, becoming the first Black heavyweight champion of the world. This historic victory not only made him a global sports icon but also challenged the prevailing racial attitudes of the era. Johnson successfully defended his title multiple times against prominent challengers, including knocking out middleweight champion Stanley Ketchel in the 12th round in 1909. On July 4, 1910, Johnson faced James J. Jeffries, a former undefeated champion lured out of retirement as the "Great White Hope." Johnson dominated the fight, winning by technical knockout in the 15th round. This bout, dubbed the "Fight of the Century," was a pivotal moment in boxing and American social history, sparking celebrations in Black communities and deadly race riots across the United States. He also defended his title against Fireman Jim Flynn, Al Kaufman, and Frank Moran, among others.

(in the above famous photo taken during their heavyweight title fight in Havana, Cuba, on April 5, 1915 shows Johnson lying on the mat after “being knocked down” by Jess Willard and during the ten count, in the 26th round he can be seen shielding his eyes from the glare of the tropical sun with his gloves -well respected boxing writer, Nat Fleischer argued that "even a semiconscious man would instinctively try to shield his eyes from the blinding rays of the sun")

Johnson’s official record is complex due to the era’s reporting standards, but he fought in at least 114 bouts, winning 80 and knocking out 45 opponents. His career spanned over 33 years, from 1897 to 1931, making it the longest professional career of any world heavyweight boxing champion until surpassed by Roy Jones Jr. Even after losing the heavyweight title to Jess Willard in Havana, Cuba, in 1915 (knocked out in the 26th round), Johnson continued to fight professionally and in exhibitions well into his 40s and early 50s. He remained active internationally, fighting in Europe, Mexico, and South America, and notched victories over a wide range of opponents long after his prime. Johnson was known for his defensive mastery, counterpunching, and ability to avoid punishment while controlling the pace of his fights. His style was considered revolutionary, emphasizing skill and strategy over brute force. He retired in 1931 with an official record of 69 wins, 11 losses, and 10 draws, including 33 knockout victories and 6 knockout losses, and was later inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame.

Outside the ring, Johnson’s flamboyant lifestyle, open relationships with white women, and disregard for racial norms made him a target of both the press and authorities. In 1912, Johnson was arrested under the Mann Act—a law ostensibly targeting human trafficking but often used to punish interracial relationships. He was convicted in a racially charged trial and sentenced to a year in prison. Rather than serve his sentence immediately, Johnson fled the country, fighting abroad for several years before returning to the United States in 1920 to serve his time. After his release, Johnson continued to box in exhibitions and professional matches, remaining active in the sport into his late 40s and even fighting exhibitions as late as 1945. He also ran businesses, including a nightclub in Chicago, and secured lucrative endorsements. Johnson was married three times, all to white women, and his personal life was as public and controversial as his boxing career.

Jack Johnson died in a car accident on June 10, 1946, near Raleigh, North Carolina, at the age of 68. Decades after his death, his legacy as a trailblazer in sports and civil rights was further recognized when, on May 24, 2018, President Donald Trump granted him a rare posthumous pardon for his 1913 conviction under the Mann Act, acknowledging the racially motivated injustice Johnson suffered. The pardon, celebrated by boxing legends and lawmakers alike, was the result of years of advocacy and bipartisan support and was seen as a long-overdue correction of a historic wrong. Johnson is remembered not only as one of boxing’s greatest champions but also as a figure who challenged the racial boundaries of his time and left an indelible mark on American history. His dominance in the ring, longevity, and willingness to fight the best available opponents—regardless of race—cemented his status as one of the sport’s all-time greats and paved the way for future generations of Black athletes.

June 10th

1871: Battling Levinsky born.

1908: Jack Blackburn ND6 Philadelphia Jack O”Brien

1924: Pancho Villa W12 Charles Taylor

1926: Paul Berlenbach W15 Young Stribling

1930: Frankie Genaro W10 Frenchy Belanger

1936: Barney Ross TKO5 Laddie Tonielli

1943: Jake LaMotta W10 Fritzie Zivic

1946: Former World Heavyweight Champion Jack Johnson, age 68, dies in an automobile accident. Moments before, Johnson had been refused service at a roadside diner

Manuel Ortiz KO 11 Jackie Jurich

1948: Tony Zale KO 3 Rocky Graziano

1951: Sugar Ray Robinson TKO8 Jan de Bruin

1955: Carmen Basilio KO 12 Tony DeMarco

1957: Alex Miteff W10 Willi Besmanoff

1958: Flash Elorde W10 Ike Chestnut

1959: Sugar Hart W10 Isaac Logart

1960: Paul Pender W15 Sugar Ray Robinson

1961: Archie Moore W15 Guilio Rinaldi

1962: Ismael Laguna KO6 Agustin Carmona

1967: Carlos Monzon W12 Jorge Fernandez

1972: Jose Napoles KO2 Adolph Pruitt, Monterrey

Bruno Acari KO12 Joao Henrique

1984: Min Keun Oh W15 Kelvin Lampkins

1988: Prince Charles Williams KO11 Richard Caramanolis

1990: Orlando Canizales KO2 Paul Gonzalez

1991: Arturo Gatti age 19 debuts TKO3 Jose Gonzales

1995: Roberto Duran TKO7 Roni Martinez

Tommy Morrison KO 6 Razor Ruddock, Kansas City.

Ralf Rocchigiani KO12 Carl Thompson

Sammy Fuentes W12 Hector Lopez

Orlando Canizales KO2 Kino Rodriguez

Mark "Too Sharp" Johnson KO1 Rafael Granillo

1997: Ki Soo Kim, 57, dies of liver cancer in Seoul, South Korea.

1999: Former heavyweight contender Randall “Tex” Cobb, 46, wins

$10.7-million jury judgment in his libel suit against Sports Illustrated.

The magazine wrote Cobb had conspired with journeyman Sonny Barch

to rig their September 15, 1992, bout in Fort Lauderdale.

2000: Krzysztof Włodarczyk debut KO2 Andrei Georgiev

Acelino Freitas TKO2 Lemuel Nelson

2006: Bernard Hopkins W12 Antonio Tarver

Israel Vasquez KO4 Ivan Hernandez

2011: Juan Carlos Reveco KO2 Jean Piero Perez

2017: Simpiwe Konkco W12 Lito Dante

Ryan Burnett W12 Lee Haskins  

James Tennyson RTD6 Ryan Doyle       

Paul Hyland Jr TKO1 Adam Dingsdale  

Sonya Lamonakis D10 Laura Ramsey

2022: Hiroto Kyoguchi TKO8 Esteban Bermudez

Hiroto Kyoguchi TKO8 Esteban Bermudez

2023: Teófimo López W12 Josh Taylor