Ms. Turquoise
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- Oct 27, 2021
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Today, March 31, is the birthdate of the first heavyweight boxing champion, Jack Johnson. He was born in Galveston Texas in 1878, just 13 years after the end of legalized slavery. When he was a young man the unwritten law was that no Black man could be given the chance to win the heavyweight crown. So, no White boxer would fight him.
Then, Jim Jeffries retired in 1904 and gave his crown to Tommy Burns. Mr. Burns tried to avoid Jack Johnson, but Johnson kept after him until he finally agreed to fight him. So, on December 26, 1908, in Sydney Australia, Jack Johnson won this bout during the 14th round. He became the first ever Black heavyweight champion.
The White Supremacist world was angry---no Black man was supposed to have this honor. By this time Jim Jeffries had retired to his farm in California. He was overweight, happy and had no plans to return to the ring. But, the White racists talked him into coming out of retirement to fight Jack Johnson. He didn't really want to, but they were insistent. The Whites were sure Jeffries would win.
On July 4, 1910 the much anticipated fight was held in Reno, Nevada. Jim Jeffries had lost weight and trained hard. But, he was no match for Jack Johnson. From the very beginning of the fight, Jeffries was at a disadvantage. Johnson played with him, not wanting to knock him out too early in the fight. The White crowd was sullen and angry that Jeffries was losing to the upstart Negro.
It lasted for 15 rounds, by which time Jeffries's face was a bloody mess. The referee stopped the fight. Johnson was declared the winner.
There were race riots afterwards. Whites hated to see Jeffries lose.
Thanks for reminising with me. Have a nice day.
Then, Jim Jeffries retired in 1904 and gave his crown to Tommy Burns. Mr. Burns tried to avoid Jack Johnson, but Johnson kept after him until he finally agreed to fight him. So, on December 26, 1908, in Sydney Australia, Jack Johnson won this bout during the 14th round. He became the first ever Black heavyweight champion.
The White Supremacist world was angry---no Black man was supposed to have this honor. By this time Jim Jeffries had retired to his farm in California. He was overweight, happy and had no plans to return to the ring. But, the White racists talked him into coming out of retirement to fight Jack Johnson. He didn't really want to, but they were insistent. The Whites were sure Jeffries would win.
On July 4, 1910 the much anticipated fight was held in Reno, Nevada. Jim Jeffries had lost weight and trained hard. But, he was no match for Jack Johnson. From the very beginning of the fight, Jeffries was at a disadvantage. Johnson played with him, not wanting to knock him out too early in the fight. The White crowd was sullen and angry that Jeffries was losing to the upstart Negro.
It lasted for 15 rounds, by which time Jeffries's face was a bloody mess. The referee stopped the fight. Johnson was declared the winner.
There were race riots afterwards. Whites hated to see Jeffries lose.
Thanks for reminising with me. Have a nice day.