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Jack Johnson: The First Black Heavyweight Champion.

Dates: March 31, 1878 - June 10, 1946 Job: Boxer John Arthur (Jack) Johnson was born in Galveston, Texas. With only a fifth grade education he set out on his own as a painter, a baker, and a dockworker. Shortly after those "jobs" faded he started working as a janitor a gymnasium. Johnson became intrigued and started working out, boxing. In 1897 he fought his first fight.

The Great White Hope. His win challenged many beliefs about equality. In able to play boxing you need to have strength and stamina, both of which he had. A soon to come win from Jack brought fear throughout the people that a black would have an equal victory as a white. Soon after Johnson beat Martin, the white fears came true because of his black victory. After his amazing victory whites started searching for a "great white hope" from a fighter who would win the heavyweight championship back. Over the next two years Johnson challenged five other white players who he defeated in their attempt to get back their heavyweight championt title. Then the greatest match ever was soon to be fought between Johnson and Jim Jeffries. The match was on July 4,1910, known as "The Fight of the Century." To the "terror" of the whites Jack Johnson ended up defeating Jim Jeffries.

I really wanted to choose this as my story because he made a difference in the world, and the african-american's world. He never gave up on what he wanted no matter what anyone said about him or his type of people. He lived his dream and didnt let anyone stand in his way! He stopped his education after grammar school and still know he is known for never giving up and going for his dreams. Other African American Boxers: Joe Louis Muhammad Ali

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