"Logic Behind the Leather" Who Are They: Jack Johnson

John Arthur "Jack" Johnson, was a pioneering figure in the rich history of boxing. At the height of the Jim Crow era, Johnson, also known as "The Galveston Giant," became the first African American World Heavyweight Champion from 1908-1915. Johnson was born in Galveston, Texas in 1878, was the son of former slaves and one of six children. Johnson tried unsuccessfully to escape his hometown of Galveston at the age of twelve, and began working in carriage-shop. It was there, where his boss, who was an ex-fighter, taught Johnson how to box. After working on the docks, Johnson would challenge his fellow workers to matches, to make money on the side. Winning his first ever bout, he collected a purse of $1.50.

Johnson made his professional debut in Galveston in 1898, knocking out his first opponent, Charley Brooks in the second round of their 15-round bout. In his third bout, Johnson was matched-up against John Haynes, also known as "The Black Hercules," who had unofficially declared himself the Black Heavyweight Champion. Johnson lost by TKO. After being jailed in Texas, where prize fighting was illegal, Johnson and his opponent, Joe Choynski, was allowed to spar in their jail cell. Johnson proclaims that his time spent in jail, made him recognize his skills, and credits Choynski with his success in boxing.

Jack Johnson's boxing style was like no other in the sport at the time. In the early rounds of his bouts, he was patient with his opponents, beginning cautiously, then becoming aggressive. He would carry on conversations with people at ring side during his fights. When Johnson became annoyed with a opponent, he would fight to punish. Many in the press deemed Johnson't fighting style as "cowardly" but praised the World Heavyweight Champion, Jim Corbett, who used the same techniques as Johnson.

After becoming the first African-American Heavyweight Champion on December 26, 1908, defeating Canadian, Tommy Burns, he vacated his World Colored Heavyweight Championship. After defeating Burns, there was a call to find the "Great White Hope," to take out Johnson, to no avail. Johnson's effort to fight the then Heavyweight Champ, James Jefferies, went unanswered for six years because Jeffreies refused to face him. But in 1910, Jeffries, who had long retired, agreed to a bout against Johnson with a lot of prodding and the promise of a purse of $120,000. Johnson vs Jeffreies was considered the "Fight of the Century," as racial tensions arose. Johnson, the younger fighter, out-boxed Jeffries and his corner threw in the towel in the 15th round, to avoid a knockout on his record. Johnson silenced his critics and Jeffries was humbled by the loss, proclaiming, "I could never have whipped Johnson at my best."

Johnson continued fighting professionally until he 60 years old, when age finally caught up to him. He died on June 10, 1946 at the age of 68, in a tragic car crash. In 1954, Johnson was inducted into the Boxing Hall of Fame. His life and career foreshadowed the career of boxing legend Mohammed Ali, and his legacy will always be remembered as a man who became a boxing legend who could not be ignored by the establishment of that era.