Jack johnson

[joe33]

Sorry dont want to go over old ground,but having read this from wiki-

"The fight soon became a symbolic battleground for the races. The media, eager for a "Great White Hope", found a champion for their racism and bigotry in Jeffries. He said, "I am going into this fight for the sole purpose of proving that a white man is better than a Negro."A furor was created at the fight, as a ringside band played, "All c**s look alike to me" and promoters encouraged an all-white crowd to chant "Kill the n****r""
............I have to say how much i admire the man(johnson).I love jeffries,but feel he was not thinking right when he took on johnson,to much fake pride bullshit going on,to many dodgy people talked him round,he had not been fighting in 6 years,and had lost shed loads of weight,he was mad to fight the guy.
Can anyone think of a fight where one man has ever faced such raw hate before?,for hells sake the band and the crowd were chanting there sheer hate at him,how the hell did he overcome that shit,and still fight so well? i know foreman got shit against ali but he was hardly gonna be killed was he,it seriously pales when one thinks,they were still lynching black people for nothing else bar there skin at that time,what a awesome guy,great fighter and man he was as brave as a lion.:happy :happy
***i also know that wiki is not always correct about stuff,to many people can change things,but i believe this was a near correct account of what happened***

[rekcutnevets]

Jack Johnson was one of the bravest men I've ever read about. I have rated Johnson as my 3rd best all time heavyweight for some time now, and I'll admit that it may be because of his social importance.

Johnson had established himself as the best black heavyweight in the world, before establishing himself as the best heavyweight. I just don't know if I would consider his level of competition as good as champions from other eras.

It is strange, but my top three heavyweights are also the most socially significant in my opinion. I hope it is only coincidental. Maybe it is. I think Johnson was more significant than the other two, and I have him 3rd. I think Louis was more significant than Ali, and I have him 2nd. Ali is ranked 1st on my list.

I don't think that Louis, or Ali, are far behind in social importance. They both played great rolls in this regard. They also showed a lot of bravery themselves.

It is just that Johnson was before them. Louis and Ali lived in dangerous times for black people, but Johnson's time was even more so. The way Johnson did things his way, without hiding, was indeed brave. I think he gets a bad rap by some for further dividing the public. The public was already divided. The public needed someone, with Johnson's fuck you attitude, to stand up to the masses. To let them know that he was in no way beneath anyone. I think that people needed a big wake up call from someone willing to stand up and defy their racial intolerance publically in a way never done before. That bravery set the tone for some others to believe in themselves. This let some know that they could prove that they were not inferior, and they didn't have to live as a kiss ass.

[mr. magoo]

These are both nice posts gentleman. I to like Jack Johnson as a historical figure and great champion. Johnson certainly could have won the world's heavyweight crown much earlier had it not been for his skin. He was however, considered by many as a true heavyweight champ, reguardless of only holding the colored world title. As Joe already pointed out, he could very legitimately be criticized for the level of his competition, when being compared to greats of other eras. He at least, however fought the very best that his period had to offer, and don't think that the white politicians didn't do everthing they could to find someone to dethrone him. Johnson was a true hero, not only for African Americans, but for anyone who truly cherished great icons and significant points in history.

[Sizzle]

What made Louis so socially important?

[PowerPuncher]

What made Louis so socially important?

A black champion the whites got behind and accepted too

[PowerPuncher]

Johnsons comp is very underrated, the pre-championship reign is excellent.

[janitor]

What made Louis so socially important?

He more than any other athlete was responsible for the destruction of the colour bar in boxing and other sports.

[Luigi1985]

Johnsons comp is very underrated, the pre-championship reign is excellent.


Exactly!