Reno Jack Johnson Pose for J.Jeffries Championship Fight 1910 Real Photo Postcard
Jack Johnson, an American boxer, made history as the first African American world heavyweight boxing champion, holding the title from 1908 to 1915. His athletic prowess and dominance in the ring challenged prevailing racial hierarchies of the early 20th century, making him a towering figure in both sports and civil rights.
His career was marked by intense public scrutiny and racial animosity, particularly after his decisive victory over James J. Jeffries in "The Fight of the Century" in 1910, which ignited race riots across the United States. Johnson's defiance of societal norms and his unapologetic lifestyle, despite widespread condemnation, cemented his legacy as a symbol of Black strength and resistance during a period of severe racial oppression.
His career was marked by intense public scrutiny and racial animosity, particularly after his decisive victory over James J. Jeffries in "The Fight of the Century" in 1910, which ignited race riots across the United States. Johnson's defiance of societal norms and his unapologetic lifestyle, despite widespread condemnation, cemented his legacy as a symbol of Black strength and resistance during a period of severe racial oppression.
