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The first Black boxing champion was a man named Jack Johnson, and a few years before he died in 1946, he told a young reporter, “Just remember, whatever you write

The first Black boxing champion was a man named Jack Johnson and a few years before he died in 1946, he told a young reporter, “Just remember, whatever you write

“Last On His Feet: Jack Johnson and the Battle of the Century” shows the ferocity, style, audacity and courage of the first Black boxing champion.

Jack Johnson, byname of John Arthur Johnson, (born March 31, 1878, Galveston, Texas, U.S.—died June 10, 1946, Raleigh, N.C.), American boxer who was the first African American to become heavyweight champion. He is considered by many boxing observers to be one of the greatest heavyweights of all time. Johnson fought professionally from 1897 to 1928 and engaged in exhibition matches as late as 1945. He won the title by knocking out champion Tommy Burns in Sydney on December 26, 1908, and lost i...

ESPN Classics SportsCentury series will profile Jack Johnson