Johnson, Jack (1878-1946)

US heavyweight boxer. He overcame severe racial prejudice to become the first black to win the world heavyweight title in 1908 and was one of boxing's greatest and most controversial champions. After winning the title in Australia in 1908 with a knockout of Tommy Burns, he defended the championship successfully against a succession of ‘great white hopes’, including former champion James J Jeffries. He lost the championship in 1915 to Jess Willard by a knockout in the 26th round.

Career highlights

Professional record (1897-1915)

World heavyweight champion

Born in Galveston, Texas, he worked as a janitor, dockhand, and stableboy before becoming a professional boxer in 1899. Because of his flamboyance and self-confidence - and his marriage to a white woman - Johnson incurred the wrath of racist politicians and religious leaders who successfully secured a Mann Act conviction against him in 1913. He took sanctuary in Europe but later returned to the USA to serve his sentence and to fight in boxing exhibitions. He spent his final years operating nightclubs and working in carnivals. A film of 1970, The Great White Hope, was based on his life.