ALL HAIL JACK JOHNSON

Cocky, resolute, invincible(or perhaps that's what he thought) are some of the many words I could use to describe this fellow. For thirteen years he was notably the most famous and the most notorious African-American on Earth. At a height of 1.84 meters, he stood taller then most of his opponents and that was just one of his advantages. John Arthur Jack Johnson was an African American boxer who was the first of his race to be a World Heavyweight boxing champion. Jack was born in Galveston, Texas, he was the first born of Henry and Tina Johnson who where former slaves and had 5 siblings that where taught how to read and write by his parents along with Jack. He soon dropped out of school after 6 years of education and decided to go job-hunting and got a job in his neighborhood as a dock worker.Sources close to him reveal that he was not fond of education and found it rather tardy and time-consuming. After quickly getting bored of his work, he wanting something that would attract more money to his wallet so like every other young men looking to make money in his town, he joined a boxing club. The first opponent to fall victim to his well executed right punch was Charley Brooks. Jack knocked him out in the second round of a 15-round bout. He was still unaware of his talent and wasn't yet noticed up until he faced an African American heavyweight, John W. Haynes, who considered himself a rarity and was dubbed "The Black Hercules". They had 3 separate fights were Jack lost the first 1 but drew the other 2, as both contestants were on their feet at the end of 20 rounds and that proved that he was a force to be reckoned with. He was arrested in 1901 after he fought a popular and experienced heavyweight, Joe Choynski. Prize fighting was illegal at the time so they where both incarcerated. At the time of their stay in prison, Joe taught Jack a few boxing skills and the two remained good friends long after their release. Choynski saw a great deal of potential and determination in Jack and taught him the nuances of defense, stating "A man like you should never have to take a punch". Jack had a particular flair in the way in which he fought. He was so good at it that when he was engaged in a fight, he would find his opponents boring and would often carry a conversation with the ring-siders whilst beating the heck out of them. His boxing technique was annoying to his opponents because he was so patient with them whilst avoiding every punch thrown at him, then he would gradually build up aggressiveness and knock his opponents out whenever he pleased. Need I remind you that by law, interracial boxing was prohibited so the heavyweight title was split into 2, the World Colored Heavyweight Champion and World Heavyweight Champion. He won his first title in February, 1903 beating Denver Ed Martin for the World Colored Heavyweight Champion. Winning the World Colored Heavyweight was never enough for this young lad, he made endless requests to the then World Heavyweight Champion, James J Jeffries, but was always turned down.James later lost his title to a Canadian boxer, Tommy Burns, and Jack went after him, taunting him at every fight Tommy had and told the press that Tommy was afraid of loosing the title to a black chap. This went on for 2 years and Tommy finally gave in to Jack's request. He told the press that he would fight the guy if anyone could afford to pay him $30 000(he was doing this because he was avoiding the fight and hoped no one would be able to sponsor that money) but shame, to his surprise the money was brought forth by a private company. The fight was very much anticipated and 20 000 spectators gathered around the ring to experience this one of a kind fight. James was no match for Jack, its even said that Jack asked his girlfriend when she wanted James to be knocked out whilst he man-handled him. The fight lasted fourteen rounds and really did not look like a fight but a parent punishing a disobedient child. The fight was stopped by police after they found it embarrassing for James and the title was awarded to Jack on a referee's decision as a knockout. Now you can imagine the animosity that ran among the white people. Jack had an incredible amount of following and wherever he went he was admired and this got to his head. Jack soaked up the spotlight and mingled with white girls at a time when no black man would even think of doing such, fearing arrest or even death. He always spoke his mind and was very vocal(trash talking) in and out the ring the world and never went anywhere without his entourage of white girls (yes,entourage). After he worn the title, Johnson never fought a black opponent for five year, constantly having to prove his worthiness. He bought a house in a white suburb and moved in with his girls and when his manager(he was white) advised him not to do so, Jack fired him. When he was asked by a journalist why is it that white girls where so attracted to him so much,after the journalist took photographs of a succession of white women parade into his hotel suite, he replied,"We black folks eat jellied eels and think distant thoughts."(and he really said that). Jack constantly attended elite conventions and rubbed shoulders with rich white folks and no man of his color had done before, for this many black brothers envied him and basically looked up to him. He was living lavish, indulging in several expensive hobbies such as automobile racing and tailored clothing, he also purchased jewelry and furs for his wives(that's what he called them although they where just his girlfriends). What we can take from this legend is the will to look beyond barriers and want only the best for yourself. He said this about opportunity, "Knock on the door and if there is no response, go to the back door, if there is still no response, use the window, if that too doesn't work, RUN THROUGH THE WALL!"