A LOOK AT THE BOXING ERA OF JACK JOHNSON
John Arthur (“Jack”) Johnson was born in Galveston, Texas on March 31, 1878. He died on June 10, 1946. Jack was an American boxer nicknamed the “Galveston Giant”. He became the first African American world heavyweight boxing champion. Jack’s championship came at the height of the Jim Crowe era (1908 – 1915).
Jack had a boxing match against Joe Choynski and lost by knock out. Not long after this fight, both men spent time in prison together. Joe taught Jack much about boxing while they were in prison together. Jack developed a distinctive boxing style from the many things Joe had taught him.
He had a more patient approach towards his opponents than it was customary in those days. Jack would carry on conversations with his opponents and bystanders near the ring during the boxing matches. If Jack was annoyed by something his opponent did or said, he would fight to punish his opponent rather than knock him out.
His style was very effective for winning matches. Yet Jack’s style was highly criticized. Many journalists wrote in the press that Jack was cowardly and devious. “Gentleman” Jim Corbett, a world heavyweight champ before Jack was, had used many of the same techniques as Jack. Jim was never criticized for using those techniques. The press had always given Jim Corbett praise for using those techniques.
Jack Johnson had paved the way for African American’s mainly in the boxing ring, but also overall in the sporting world. Jack was an awesome boxer who should never be forgotten.