Jack Johnson was a pioneer who gave hope to black boxers everywhere Guardian.co.uk | The Observer | July 4 2010 Exactly 100 years ago Jack Johnson won a fight which divided America and still resonates today Exactly a century ago, in Reno, Nevada, a fight of terrible beauty sent ripples of hate and revenge across…
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Episode 3: The Aftermath
Black as Jack … the fight that challenged a nation Episode 3 … The Aftermath In America, Black ghetto dwellers and sharecroppers rejoiced. In cities, from New York to Omaha, Blacks smiled with delight. Joy and pride spilled over into arrogance or so some Whites believed. In the last week of 1908, social change seemed…
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Episode 2: The Fight
Black as Jack … the fight that challenged a nation Episode 2 … The Fight December 26, 1908. Overnight rain cleared on the morning of the fight. A good omen. God was on the right side. Some women sneaked in, disguised as men so they could see the fight. The first round was as dramatic…
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Episode 1: The Build-up
Black as Jack … the fight that challenged a nation Episode 1 … The Build-up In 1908 Australia found itself playing host to two very different boxers in two very different circumstances. One was Tommy Burns, the white Canadian heavyweight champion of the world. The other was Jack Johnson, a black American, whom some thought…
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