When we were Kings: Jack Johnson

Jack Johnson. V. Jim Jefferies.

When we were Kings: Jack Johnson.
It is worth noting before I start this article: this is an improved re-upload telling the story of Jack Johnson an early 20th century boxer and the first African-American heavyweight Champion of the world.

ON the 26^th of December 1908; Boxing day truly became boxing day. It was a momentous occasion as a new heavyweight king ascended to the prestigious throne, and claimed his place amongst divine fighters: Langford, Jefferies and Corbett.

What made this occasion more significant was that the new heavyweight champion of the world was black. The first black heavyweight champion of the world – Jack Johnson.

Jack Johnson, born in 1878 to former slave parents, had been fighting since he was twelve years old; mainly bare-knuckle and for very little money, but enough to capture the attention of his now friend Joe Choynski – who noted ‘ A man like Johnson should never have to take a punch’. Chonyski, 40, helped turn Johnson professional after their 1901 bout. Johnson would soon ascend to the Heavyweight crown.

For as many as four years, a title shot eluded Johnson, he beat contender after contender, but his opportunity would never arrive. His race was what was holding back any chance of a title shot.  Former heavyweight champion – James J. Jefferies spoke of Johnson in poor regard, ‘As long as I live the heavyweight crown will never fall into the hands of an African-American’ he said to the press in 1906.

But with Jefferies’ retirement in 1906, a new heavyweight champion was crowned – Tommy Burns.  A hope emerged for Jack Johnson. A ray of hope that would cause controversy around the United States, but provide hope for the African-American nation.

Tommy Burns for the next two years would tour the world, fighting exhibitions: in London, Australia and France, and Johnson would follow. The media began to criticise Tommy Burns for ‘ducking’ Jack Johnson’s efforts to push a fight through. Johnson would buy ringside tickets to all of the champion’s fights, and he would regularly taunt the champion.

An interested Australian entrepreneur was watching the situation closely. Hugh McIntosh offered an astronomical sum of 7,500$ to the Champion if he would fight Johnson. The challenge was finally accepted.

December the 26^th 1908, 20,000 people flood into Rushcutters Bay to see the first mixed race title bout. The atmosphere was electric. Heart pounding. The white bigoted journalists had labelled Burns as the ‘Great white hope’ , and expected nothing more than a flawless victory for the Canadian.

Finally at 2:50pm, Jack Johnson entered the ring to a warm reception, sporting a fine white robe, standing 6ft1; five inches taller than his opponent.

Johnson’s goal was to dominate the fight from start to finish. He did just that. Johnson knocked down the Champion within a few minutes with a thunderous right hand. The Orthodox fighter was in a hungry mood. Burns was down for the count of eight, but eventually rose.

This sadly was the pattern of the fight. Johnson dominated, and even the most bloodthirsty fight fanatics, called for the fight to be stopped. Round 14. Johnson opened a barrage of attacks; the experienced 30 year old, attacked Burns with uppercuts, haymakers and anchor punches. The fight was stopped as the helpless Burns, was felled like a tree in the forest.

The camera’s stopped rolling as the Champion hit the canvas; a bittersweet feeling engulfed the arena. The bigoted racists faces turned sour. The Galveston Giant, at 30 years of age, had proved to the world: a black man could win the most prestigious throne in the world.

However; typical of the times, after the white Tommy Burns hit the canvas, Jack Johnson had to be guarded by his trainers, as angry fight fans stormed the boxing ring to confront the new champion.

Nonetheless, the title that had eluded Johnson for half a decade, was now in his clutches. Jack Johnson would return to America as more than a boxer, he would return as a symbol; a symbol of hope for all of his African-American nation.

During the next seven years, the Champion defeated challenger after challenger; many of the challengers being dubbed by journalists as ‘The Great White Hope’ due to their bigoted beliefs that they were superior to the African-American.

In 1910, Jack Johnson swept away any lingering doubts of his ability by defeating the former undefeated heavyweight champion of the world : James. J. Jefferies’ with ease. Jefferies earlier in his career was known to have ridiculed Johnson, and refused to fight him. But James Jefferies was seen as America’s ‘Great White Hope’ and was pushed into fighting his former-foe.

Jack Johnson, beat challenger after challenger, until 1915, when his reign ended prematurely, thanks to former fireman Jess Willard.

Nowadays, Jack Johnson is a forgotten figure. But if it had not been for his defiance in the face of racism and criticism, there may never of been boxers like Muhammad Ali or Joe Louis. Jack Johnson like any explorer treaded on land that had never seen his kind; he created waves and conflicts throughout America. He sparked the light and opened the door for future generations to live an easier life.

Out of his 114 fights, Jack Johnson won 80, drew 12 and lost 13; the other nine were no contests.  He boxed until his final years; a rarity in the boxing world. In 1946 he died, aged 68, after being turned away from a restaurant due to his skin colour, he angrily left the restaurant, crashed his car and died from the impact instantly.

 A tragic end, for an otherwise remarkable life.