Jack Johnson (boxer)

Jack Johnson (March 31, 1878 – June 10, 1946), nicknamed the "Galveston Giant," was an American boxer who, at the height of the Jim Crow era, became the first African American world heavyweight boxing champion (1908–1915).

Johnson was a controversial figure due to his race and his flamboyant lifestyle. He defied the social norms of the time by openly dating and marrying white women, which led to significant backlash and persecution. His victories over white opponents fueled racial tensions, and he was often targeted by law enforcement and the media.

His boxing career was marked by both skill and showmanship. He defeated Tommy Burns in 1908 to claim the heavyweight title, and successfully defended it several times against challengers promoted as the "Great White Hope," designed to restore racial order to the sport. Prominent challengers included James J. Jeffries, a former champion who was coaxed out of retirement for the fight. Johnson defeated Jeffries in a highly publicized and racially charged bout in 1910.

In 1912, Johnson was arrested under the Mann Act for allegedly transporting a white woman across state lines for immoral purposes. He was convicted in 1913, a conviction widely viewed as racially motivated. He fled the United States and lived in exile for seven years.

Johnson eventually returned to the United States in 1920 and served his sentence. After his release, he continued to box in exhibitions and worked in various other jobs. He remained a figure of both admiration and controversy throughout his life.

In 2018, Johnson was posthumously pardoned by President Donald Trump, acknowledging the injustice of his conviction. His legacy as a pioneering athlete and a symbol of racial defiance continues to be recognized and celebrated. He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1990.