Lineage of the coloured heavyweight title

[janitor]

Back by popular request. The data is based on information provided to me by K Smith.

THE COLORED HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP LINEAGE

1876

Charles C. Smith “The Black Thunderbolt” claims the title after offering to take on all comers.

1878

Morris Grant claims title in New York.


1881

Jan 14 Prof. Charles Hadley W3 Morris Grant, New York, NY
Sep George Godfrey claims title when, after stripping to fight John L. Sullivan, the Heavyweight Champion refused to fight.

1882

Apr 6 Hadley KO2 Morris Grant, New York, NY
Dec 7 Hadley KO3 Morris Grant, New York, NY

1883

Jan 10 Hadley KO2 Harry Woodson, New York, NY
Feb 22 George Godfrey KO6 Charles Hadley, Boston, MA
-Billed as a battle for the colored heavyweight title. 2oz gloves were used.

1884

Oct 5 Godfrey D4 McHenry Johnson, Boston, MA

1888

Jan 25 Godfrey KO4 McHenry Johnson, Boston, MA
-Godfrey knocked down Johnson in the fourth and the latter and his seconds claimed foul. Initially, the referee ruled the bout in Johnson’s favor, but the club eventually changed the ruling.

Aug 8 Peter Jackson KO19 George Godfrey, San Francisco, CA

Jackson never defended the title and it lapsed for close to eight years.

1896

Dec 21 Bob Armstrong KO19 Charley Strong, New York, NY
-This was billed as for the vacant title.

1897

Mar 6 Armstrong KO6 Joe Butler, Philadelphia, PA

1898

Jan 29 Frank Childs KO2 Bob Armstrong, Chicago, IL
Feb 26 Frank Childs WF3 Klondike Haynes, Chicago, IL
Jun 4 Frank Childs D6 Charley Strong, Chicgo, IL
Sep 14 George Byers W20 Frank Childs, Chicago, IL

1899

Mar 4 Frank Childs KO6 Bob Armstrong, Cincinnatti, OH KO6
-Fight billed as being for the colored heavyweight title.
Jul 24 George Byers KO9 Charley Strong, Brooklyn, NY

1900

Mar 16 George Byers D6 Frank Childs, Chicago, IL

1901

Mar 16 Frank Childs KO17 George Byers, Hot Springs, AR

1902

Feb 24 Denver Ed Martin W6 Frank Childs, Chicago, IL
Jul 25 Denver Ed Martin W15 Bob Armstrong, London, Eng
Aug 30 Denver Ed Martin KO4 Frank Craig, Newcastle, Eng

1903

Feb 3 Jack Johnson W20 Denver Ed Martin, Los Angeles, CA
Feb 27 Jack Johnson W20 Sam McVey, Los Angeles, CA
Oct 27 Jack Johnson W20 Sam McVey Los Angeles, CA

1904

Apr 22 Jack Johnson KO20 Sam McVey, San Francisco, CA
Oct 18 Jack Johnson KO2 Denver Ed Martin, Los Angeles, CA

1905

Dec 2 Jack Johnson ND6(W) Joe Jeanette, Philadelphia, PA

1906

Jan 16 Jack Johnson W15 Joe Jeanette, Baltimore, MD
Apr 26 Jack Johnson W15 Sam Langford, Chelsea, MA

1907

Feb 19 Jack Johnson KO1 Peter Felix, Sydney, NSW, AUS

1908

Jack Johnson wins world heavyweight title in December.

1909

Feb 20 Sam McVey W20 Joe Jeanette, Paris, FR
Apr 9 Sam McVey KO2 Cyclone Billy ******, Paris, FR
Apr 17 Joe Jeanette KO49 Sam McVey, Paris, FR
---Sam Langford claims title after Johnson refuses to face him for the world title.
Dec 11 Joe Jeanette D30 Sam McVey, Paris, FR

1910

Sep 6 Sam Langford W15 Joe Jeanette, Boston, MA
Nov 10 Sam Langfrod KO2 Jeff Clarke, Joplin , MO

1911

Jan 10 Sam Langford W12 Joe Jeanette, Boston, MA
Apr 1 Sam Langford D20 Sam McVey, Paris, FR
Dec 26 Sam McVey W20 Sam Langford, Sydney, NSW, AUS

1912

Apr 8 Sam Langford W20 Sam McVey, Sydney, NSW, AUS
Dec 26 Sam Langford KO13 Sam McVey, Sydney, NSW, AUS

1913

Dec 20 Sam Langford W20 Joe Jeanette, Paris, FR

1914

May 1 Harry Wills W10 Sam Langford, New Orleans, LA
Nov 26 Sam Langford KO14 Harry Wills, Los Angeles, CA

1916

Jan 3 Harry Wills W20 Sam Langford, New Orleans, LA
Feb 11 Sam Langford KO19 Harry Wills, New Orleans, LA

1917

Jan 25 Bill Tate W12 Sam Langford, Kansas City, MO
May 2 Sam Langford KO6 Bill Tate, St. Louis, MO
Dec 17 Sam Langford KO2 Kid Norfolk, Denver, CO

1918

Apr 14 Harry Wills KO6 Sam Langford, Panama City, Pan
May 19 Harry Wills TK7 Sam Langford, Panama City, Pan

1919

Aug 18 Harry Wills KO4 Jeff Clarke, Syracuse, NY

1920

Apr 19 Harry Wills W15 Sam Langford, Denver, CO

Wills is generally regarded by all as the leading black heavyweight in the world. He holds the “title” of colored champion until his loss at the hands of Jack Sharkey in October of 1926.

[janitor]

1926

Nov 8 George Godfrey KO6 Larry Gaines, Buffalo, NY
Nov 22 George Godfrey D10 Bearcat Wright, Portland, OR

1927

Jul 5 George Godfrey KO7 Neil Clisby, Los Angeles, CA
Nov 20 George Godfrey KO1 Clem Johnson, Atlantic City, NJ

1928

Aug 15 Larry Gaines WF3 George Godfrey, Toronto, Can
-Billed as a championship affair---Gaines never made any real claim to the title. He left to campaign in Europe and Godfrey remained recognized as the colored champion.

1930

Dec 19 George Godfrey D10 Bearcat Wright, Atlantic City, NJ
-Billed as for the American Black Title

1931

Aug 24 George Godfrey KO2 Seal Harris, Toronto, Can

1932

Sep 5 George Godfrey KO5 Ace Clark, Laredo, TX

1933

Jan 31 George Godfrey W10 Tiger Jack Fox, Indianapolis, IN
Mar 10 George Godfrey NC6 Bearcat Wright, Kansas City, MO
Oct 9 Obidiah Walker W10 George Godfrey, Philadelphia, PA

1935

Jul 20 Larry Gaines W15 Obidiah Walker, Leicester,

[Bad_Intentions]

great posts janitor :good :good

[Mendoza]

Agreed. That was a top post. I saved in my boxing PC files.
Has anyone ever seen a colored heavyweight match on film?
What did the belt look like?

[Sam Dixon]

Agreed. That was a top post. I saved in my boxing PC files.
Has anyone ever seen a colored heavyweight match on film?
What did the belt look like?

From my understanding, Mendoza, it was a diamond studded belt that was presented to Langford when Johnson didn't show up for their fight in 1909 (Langford had to defeat Hague first), although it certainly wasn't being refered to as the "colored heavyweight championship" as BoxRec would have you believe, but the National Sporting Club's version of the "world heavyweight championship", and the title was presented to Langford by Lord Lonsdale himself and was said to have been done on June 2nd of 1909 according to the reports, which was about a week after that promotional club proclaimed him champion.

I've also not seen any contemporary references to the "colored heavyweight title" in Johnson's time up to that point (although Johnson himself was often refered to as the "colored heavyweight champion"), except when Johnson announced his retirement in the fall of 1912, which came on the heels of Johnson's wife committing suicide in Sept of that year. Checking contemporary sources from those days, that's the first time I've seen a reference to a "colored heavyweight title" in Johnson's time and that was in reference to Langford & McVey's fight in Dec of 1912. Coincidently that's about the time we saw the first fight for the "white heavyweight title" between McCarty & Paltzer, which happened just a short time after that fight between Langford & McVey. They were planning to and sort of did split the titles up at that point and obvious based it on the fighter's skin colour, but before that I've not found anything to indicate that their was a "colored heavyweight title" from the beginning of Johnson's reign up until that point.

[Mendoza]

From my understanding, Mendoza, it was a diamond studded belt that was presented to Langford when Johnson didn't show up for their fight in 1909 (Langford had to defeat Hague first), although it certainly wasn't being refered to as the "colored heavyweight championship" as BoxRec would have you believe, but the National Sporting Club's version of the "world heavyweight championship", and the title was presented to Langford by Lord Lonsdale himself and was said to have been done on June 2nd of 1909 according to the reports, which was about a week after that promotional club proclaimed him champion.

I've also not seen any contemporary references to the "colored heavyweight title" in Johnson's time up to that point (although Johnson himself was often refered to as the "colored heavyweight champion"), except when Johnson announced his retirement in the fall of 1912, which came on the heels of Johnson's wife committing suicide in Sept of that year. Checking contemporary sources from those days, that's the first time I've seen a reference to a "colored heavyweight title" in Johnson's time and that was in reference to Langford & McVey's fight in Dec of 1912. Coincidently that's about the time we saw the first fight for the "white heavyweight title" between McCarty & Paltzer, which happened just a short time after that fight between Langford & McVey. They were planning to and sort of did split the titles up at that point and obvious based it on the fighter's skin colour, but before that I've not found anything to indicate that their was a "colored heavyweight title" from the beginning of Johnson's reign up until that point.

Thanks a lot Sam Dixon. You’re a treasure chest of information. I leave learning two nice tidbits of information. I was unaware of the diamond studded belt awarded to the colored heavyweight champion. I was also unaware that a match between Johnson vs Langford was made in 1909, but never came to fruition because Johnson did not show up.The only thing I can add is the Langford vs Hauge fight still exists on film today.

[Joe Gans]

Good post Janitor.

[Joe Gans]

From my understanding, Mendoza, it was a diamond studded belt that was presented to Langford when Johnson didn't show up for their fight in 1909 (Langford had to defeat Hague first), although it certainly wasn't being refered to as the "colored heavyweight championship" as BoxRec would have you believe, but the National Sporting Club's version of the "world heavyweight championship", and the title was presented to Langford by Lord Lonsdale himself and was said to have been done on June 2nd of 1909 according to the reports, which was about a week after that promotional club proclaimed him champion.

I've also not seen any contemporary references to the "colored heavyweight title" in Johnson's time up to that point (although Johnson himself was often refered to as the "colored heavyweight champion"), except when Johnson announced his retirement in the fall of 1912, which came on the heels of Johnson's wife committing suicide in Sept of that year. Checking contemporary sources from those days, that's the first time I've seen a reference to a "colored heavyweight title" in Johnson's time and that was in reference to Langford & McVey's fight in Dec of 1912. Coincidently that's about the time we saw the first fight for the "white heavyweight title" between McCarty & Paltzer, which happened just a short time after that fight between Langford & McVey. They were planning to and sort of did split the titles up at that point and obvious based it on the fighter's skin colour, but before that I've not found anything to indicate that their was a "colored heavyweight title" from the beginning of Johnson's reign up until that point.

There is mention that the 'National Police Gazette' ranked fighters based on colour.

[SNOOPBEE]

DEMPSEY AND KEARNS WANTED THE WILLS FIGHT MORE THAN ANYBODY HOWEVER WILLIAM MULDOON WAS THE COMMISSONER IN NEW YORK AND GOING BACK IN TIME HE HAD BEEN SULLIVANS TRAINER .HE WAS THE ONE WHO PUT A STOP TO THAT FIGHT FROM HAPPENING AS HE DID NOT BELEIVE IN CROSSING THE COLOR LINE .HOWEVER IN ORDER TO TRY TO MAKE WILLS BETTER THAN HE REALLY WAS RIGHT BEHIND HIM IN THE LINE TO FIGHT DEMPSEY WAS KID NORFOLK (WHO WAS 5 FT 7 170LBS ) HOWEVER WILLS CAMP WAS AFRAID NORFOLK MIGHT BEAT HIM AND NORFOLK HAD TO GO IN THE WATER .IN ORDER TO GET HIM TO DO THIS HE SIGNED A CONTRACT TO FIGHT BATTLING SIKI IN THE GARDEN ,WHEN NORFOLK ENT DOWN IN THE SECOND ROUND FROM A RIGHT HAND NOBODY AT RINGSIDE SAW A SCANDAL OCCURED ,HOWEVER THE SIKI-NORFOLK BOUT WAS MADE FOR MADISON SQ GARDEN FOR THE LIGHTHEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP ,THEN SIKI PULLED OUT AND WENT TO IRELAND AND LOST THE TITLE TO MIKE MCTIGUE ON ST PATRICKS DAY 1923 ON A DISPUTED DECISION . SIKI CAME TO NEW YORK LATER THAT YEAR AND DEMANDED TO FIGHT DEMPSEY,TUNNEY,OR GREB .INSTED HE WAS FORCED TO FIGHT NORFOLK FIRST ,SIKI TOOK A TERRIABLE BEATING IN LOSING A 15 RD DECISION AND WAS NEVER THE SAME FIGHTER GETTING SHOT TO DEATH IN WHAT IS NOW THE Port Authority IN NY .FOR THE REST OF NORFOLKS LIFE HE KEPT ASKING HOWCOLD THAT STUPID S.O.B GO TO IRELAND TO FIGHT AN IRISHMAN ON ST PATRICKS DAY UNTIL HE PASSED IN 1968 YOU KNOW WHAT I FIND INTERESTING IS THEY SAID BLACKS WOULD NOT DRAW ,HOWEVER NORFOLK-SIKI DID A CROWD OF 2000 MORE THAN GENE TUNNEY-TOMMY GIBBONS DID 2 WEEKS LATER BOTH FIGHTS WERE IN NEW YORK

[SNOOPBEE]

put on their skit, the ozone in
Gotham was filled with rumors that
Norfolk was to bo the victim of a
knockout wallop—so as to "make'
the Dempsey-Wills match; Norfolk
was to be sacrificed upon the altar of
those who lare confident that, if
properly manipulated, a Dempsey-
Wills bout would be productive of a
$1,000,000 gate.
The ycalled the turn—a* regards
to a seeming "laydown" by Norfolk.
But the bout, instead of enhancing
the prospects of a meeting between
Dempsey and Wills, has done nothing
hut deal to boxing a terrible body
blow. For when men pay big money
to see a fight—and then see an ooftygoofty—
trey usually chant "never
again"—-and hold to such a resolve.
Boxing hasn't known a very
realthy existence since itwas reborn
in New York. It is Sicker just now
and nearer to a new death than
ever before. And the men behind
the Wills-Norfolk "fight" may, in
the end, prove to be its executioners

[SNOOPBEE]

NEW YORK, Mar. 2. — Harry
-Wills, heavyweight fighter of New
Orleans, tonight knocked out Kid
Norfolk of Baltimore in the second
"round of their scheduled 16 round
„ bout in Madison Square Garden.
When they came out of there
corner in tne (second, Norfolk went
Into » clinch and a moment .later
(ell backward to the floor, taking
full count.
No one at the ringside saw the
blow that felled him. After the
'count he walked to his corner
unhurt

[SNOOPBEE]

Wills Kayoes Norfolk in Second Round Hilltoppers Losejo Yale Freshmen
TOSSERS

FANS EXPRESS DISAPPROVAL
FOR BOUT WHiCH ENDS ABRUPTLY

[SNOOPBEE]

By The Way That Fight Was Billed For The Colored Heavyweight Championship

[Mendoza]

NEW YORK, Mar. 2. — Harry
-Wills, heavyweight fighter of New
Orleans, tonight knocked out Kid
Norfolk of Baltimore in the second
"round of their scheduled 16 round
„ bout in Madison Square Garden.
When they came out of there
corner in tne (second, Norfolk went
Into » clinch and a moment .later
(ell backward to the floor, taking
full count.
No one at the ringside saw the
blow that felled him. After the
'count he walked to his corner
unhurt

Thanks for the news clip SNOOPBEE. Are you saying this fight was a fix?

[OLD FOGEY]

Thanks for the news clip SNOOPBEE. Are you saying this fight was a fix?

However, the referee said he saw a short inside uppercut of about 6 inches which sent Norfolk down. Norfolk got up from the count bleeding profusely from the mouth and with a severely cut lip.

Papers say a lot to things, but Wills was so much bigger and had beaten Langford and Fulton and the like. I don't think it surprising he could drop a 170 pounder with one punch.

[Ringrat]

However, the referee said he saw a short inside uppercut of about 6 inches which sent Norfolk down. Norfolk got up from the count bleeding profusely from the mouth and with a severely cut lip.

Papers say a lot to things, but Wills was so much bigger and had beaten Langford and Fulton and the like. I don't think it surprising he could drop a 170 pounder with one punch.

Sounds probable to me too.:good

Don't know how Sam Langford and Iron Hague could fight for the Coloured heavyweight title since Hague was white. Some did regard this as being for the vacant Empire championship, although Sam never showed interest in defending it, and Tommy Burns still had some claim to it.

For an extended period of time beginning during 1912, mixed matches between races were banned in many parts of Canada and the USA. This, and the fact that Jack Johnson drew his own colour line, led to the re-establishment of the Coloured heavyweight Championship.



Cap's Journal ([Only registered and activated users can see links]@rogers.com/index.htm)

[mattdonnellon]

The manager of Sam MCVey, William Roche commisioned a diamond belt at a claimed value of $250 in November 1903.

[Totomabs]

great, great post janitor

[hhascup]

This is what I came up with a while back:

'COLORED' & BLACK HEAVYWEIGHT TITLES


1849 Daniel Knox was described by the New York Clipper as the “Colored Champion,” and was allowed to fight only Black opponents.

1876 Charles C. Smith “The Black Thunderbolt” claims the title after offering to take on all comers.

Sept. 13, 1880
Ben Smith WTKO3 Louis Leard; Pelham Station Alabama
Smith; Alabama Coloured Champion challenged all Negro's to fight for his belt

Jan 14, 1881 Prof. (Professor) Charles Hadley ([Only registered and activated users can see links]) W3 Morris Grant ([Only registered and activated users can see links]), New York, NY
Sep, 1881 George Godfrey ([Only registered and activated users can see links]) claims title when, after stripping to fight John L Sullivan ([Only registered and activated users can see links]) , the Heavyweight Champion refused to fight.

Apr 6, 1882 (Professor) Charles Hadley ([Only registered and activated users can see links]) KO2 Morris Grant ([Only registered and activated users can see links]), New York, NY
Dec 7, 1882 (Professor) Charles Hadley ([Only registered and activated users can see links]) KO3 Morris Grant ([Only registered and activated users can see links]), New York, NY


Jan 10, 1883 (Professor) Charles Hadley ([Only registered and activated users can see links]) KO2 Harry Woodson ([Only registered and activated users can see links]), New York, NY

Friday 23rd February 1883
Boston, Massachusetts
George Godfrey ([Only registered and activated users can see links]) W (Professor) Charles Hadley ([Only registered and activated users can see links]) KO 6
Billed for the 'colored' Heavyweight title
2oz gloves were used

Sunday 1st July 1883
New York, New York
(Professor) Charles Hadley ([Only registered and activated users can see links]) W Harry Woodson ([Only registered and activated users can see links]) PTS
Date Uncertain (Black Heavyweight Championship)

Saturday 10th May 1884

Boston, Massachusetts
George Godfrey ([Only registered and activated users can see links]) D McHenry Johnson ([Only registered and activated users can see links]) TD 4
Billed for the 'colored' Heavyweight title
Police stopped the fight after Johnson was floored
The fight in the Crib Club Boston, Mass. USA was billed as fight to a finish to decide the 'coloured' title; police stopped it after Godfrey was well on top.

Wednesday 25th January 1888
Bloomfield, Colorado
George Godfrey ([Only registered and activated users can see links]) W McHenry Johnson ([Only registered and activated users can see links]) KO 4
Billed for the 'colored' Heavyweight title
The decision of the referee was later reversed by the club's directors and Godfrey was awarded the winner's share of the purse, he had originally been disqualified. Godfrey knocked down Johnson in the fourth and the latter and his seconds claimed foul. Initially, the referee ruled the bout in Johnson’s favor, but the club eventually changed the ruling.

Friday 24th August 1888
California Athletic Club, San Francisco, California
Heavyweight Peter Jackson ([Only registered and activated users can see links]) W George Godfrey ([Only registered and activated users can see links]) TKO 19
Billed for the 'coloured' Heavyweight title
Jackson never defended the title and it lapsed for close to eight years.

Cyberboxingzone - Peter Jackson ([Only registered and activated users can see links]) won the coloured title by defeating George Godfrey in August 1888 and did not defend again officially, but he retained the Lineal Coloured championship and retained that title against quality opposition (including Jim Corbett) until he ran into a young fighter by the name of none other than James Jeffries. This happened in March 1898. Jeffries knocked him out in the third round and with that win, became the Lineal Coloured champion. In 1896, the coloured championship had been awarded to Bob Armstrong (by the chart in this thread) although a political decision (jackson was still lineal), Bob Armstrong was a sparring partner and in fact in 1898 lost a decision to, You guessed it James J Jeffries. There was one other claimant, because Armstrong actually lost his title to Frank Childs. There is one disputed newspaper report claim that has James Jeffries defeating Frank Childs early in his career. It is also noted that Childs was beaten later on by Joe Choynski who couldnt win the World Title. In any case, Childs dropped the lineal title to George Byers who then went undefeated until losing to Tommy West. Interestingly, Byers also had losses to future title challenger Jack Root.

All in all, there isn’t really any argument that Jim Jeffries wasn’t the best fighter in the world when he won his world championship. In reality, he was as close to being lineal and undisputed as anyone ever has been or could be. In fact, you may be able to create an argument (if you are using the theory in the post above) that James J Jeffries was in fact the first ever undisputed champion.

Nov. 11, 1896
The 'Mirror of Life' stated That Peter Jackson was Heavyweight Champion of the World.

Monday 21st December 1896
Broadway A.C., New York, New York
Bob Armstrong ([Only registered and activated users can see links]) W Charley Strong ([Only registered and activated users can see links]) KO 19
Billed for the vacant 'colored' Heavyweight title

Saturday 6th March 1897
Broadway A.C., Brooklyn, New York
Bob Armstrong ([Only registered and activated users can see links]) W Joe Butler ([Only registered and activated users can see links]) TKO 6
Referee: Dick Roche
Billed for the 'colored' Heavyweight title

Saturday 29th January 1898
Chicago A.A., Chicago, Illinois
Frank Childs ([Only registered and activated users can see links]) W Bob Armstrong ([Only registered and activated users can see links]) KO 2
Billed for the 'colored' Heavyweight title

Saturday 26th February 1898

Chicago, Illinois
Frank Childs ([Only registered and activated users can see links]) W John (Klondike) Haines ([Only registered and activated users can see links]) DQ 3
Billed for the 'colored' Heavyweight title. Fight appears in Childs's record in Nelse Innes's RING RECORD, No. 6, but not reported in the Chicago Tribune.

March 23, 1898
The 'Mirror of Life' stated Peter Jackson is now a physical wreck and should not be allowed to fight

Thursday 2nd June 1898
Chicago, Illinois
Charley Strong ([Only registered and activated users can see links]) D Frank Childs ([Only registered and activated users can see links]) PTS 6
Billed for the 'colored' Heavyweight title


Wednesday 14th September 1898
Lenox AC, New York, New York
George Byers ([Only registered and activated users can see links]) 165 W Frank Childs ([Only registered and activated users can see links]) PTS 20
Billed for the 'colored' Heavyweight title

Saturday 4th March 1899
Stag A.C., Cincinnati, Ohio
Heavyweight
Frank Childs ([Only registered and activated users can see links]) W Bob Armstrong ([Only registered and activated users can see links]) TKO 6
Colored World Heavyweight Title

Monday 8th May 1899 (Other sources have May 6, 1899)

Howard Theater, Chicago, Illinois
John (Klondike) Haines ([Only registered and activated users can see links]) W Jack Johnson ([Only registered and activated users can see links]) TKO 5
Haines claimed 'black' Heavyweight title. Date of May 8 reported in the Chicago Tribune.
Other sources say that Klondike never claimed the Title, he was only 165 pounds.

July 24,1899 George Byers ([Only registered and activated users can see links]) KO9 Charley Strong ([Only registered and activated users can see links]), Brooklyn, NY

Friday 11th August 1899
Chicago, Illinois
Frank Childs ([Only registered and activated users can see links]) W John (Klondike) Haines ([Only registered and activated users can see links]) PTS 6
Childs claims Haines 'black' Heavyweight title

Saturday 28th October 1899
Chicago, Illinois
Frank Childs ([Only registered and activated users can see links]) W John (Klondike) Haines ([Only registered and activated users can see links]) KO 3
Childs defends 'black' Heavyweight title

Friday 16th March 1900
Star AC, Chicago, Illinois
Frank Childs ([Only registered and activated users can see links]) D George Byers ([Only registered and activated users can see links]) PTS 6
Billed for the 'colored' Heavyweight title
Childs defends 'black' Heavyweight title

Saturday 15th December 1900
Chicago, Illinois
Frank Childs ([Only registered and activated users can see links]) W Joe Butler ([Only registered and activated users can see links]) KO 6
Childs defends 'black' Heavyweight title

Saturday 16th March 1901
Hot Springs, Arkansas
Frank Childs ([Only registered and activated users can see links]) W George Byers ([Only registered and activated users can see links]) KO 17
Billed for the 'colored' Heavyweight title

Monday 24th February 1902
American A.C., Chicago, Illinois
Denver Ed Martin ([Only registered and activated users can see links]) W Frank Childs ([Only registered and activated users can see links]) PTS 6
Martin wins world 'colored' heavyweight title

[hhascup]

Friday 25th July 1902
London, England (Crystal Palace, Sydenham)
Denver Ed Martin W Bob Armstrong PTS 15
Martin defends world 'colored' heavyweight title
"Martin proved the cleverer and never gave his opponent a chance, being declared an easy winner on points at the close of the fifteenth round; Martin, it is announced, will challenge the winner of the Jeffries-Fitzsimmons fight in San Francsico." (Associated Press) Referee was Tom Scott and Martin weighed 186, Armstrong 196

Saturday 16th August 1902
Newcastle, England
Denver Ed Martin W Frank Craig TKO 3
Martin defends world 'colored' heavyweight title

Saturday 30th August 1902
Newcastle, England
Denver Ed Martin W Frank Craig KO 4
Martin defends world 'colored' heavyweight title

Tuesday 21st October 1902
Hazard's Pavilion, Los Angeles, California
Heavyweight
Jack Johnson W Frank Childs TKO 12
Childs loses his claim as world 'colored' heavyweight champion; Childs's seconds claimed he dislocated his elbow

Wednesday 10th December 1902
Penn Art Club, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Heavyweight
Denver Ed Martin NC Bob Armstrong ND 6
Martin defends world 'colored' heavyweight title
"The bout was fast from the start and both men narrowly escaped a knockout. The bell saved Armstrong in the third and fifth and Martin was floored six times in the fourth round." (Daily Gazette and Bulletin)
Some sources report this bout held 12/11/02.

Thursday 5th February 1903
Hazard's Pavilion, Los Angeles, California
Jack Johnson W Denver Ed Martin PTS 20
Johnson wins world 'colored' heavyweight title

Thursday 26th February 1903
Hazard's Pavilion, Los Angeles, California
Jack Johnson W Sam McVea PTS 20
Johnson defends world 'colored' heavyweight title

Monday 11th May 1903
Washington S.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Jack Johnson W Joe Butler KO 3
Johnson defends world 'colored' heavyweight title

Tuesday 27th October 1903
Hazard's Pavilion, Los Angeles, California
Jack Johnson W Sam McVea PTS 20
Johnson defends world 'colored' heavyweight title

Monday 15th February 1904
Lenox A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Jack Johnson W Black Bill NWS 6
Johnson defends world 'colored' heavyweight title
Newspaper decision as reported in the Philadelphia Item.

Friday 22nd April 1904
San Francisco, California
Jack Johnson W Sam McVea KO 20
Johnson defends world 'colored' heavyweight title

Thursday 2nd June 1904
Chicago, Illinois
Jack Johnson W Frank Childs PTS 6
Johnson defends world 'colored' heavyweight title

Tuesday 18th October 1904
Hazard's Pavilion, Los Angeles, California
Jack Johnson W Denver Ed Martin KO 2
Johnson defends world 'colored' heavyweight title

Tuesday 2nd May 1905
Knickerbocker A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Jack Johnson W Black Bill KO 4
Johnson defends world 'colored' heavyweight title
Claude Brooks used the name "Black Bill"

Tuesday 9th May 1905
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Jack Johnson W Walter Johnson KO 3
Johnson defends world 'colored' heavyweight title
Jack Johnson NC Joe Jeannette ND 3
Record indicates Johnson fought Jeannette and Johnson on the same day.

Saturday 25th November 1905
National A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Jack Johnson L Joe Jeannette DQ 2
Johnson defends world 'colored' heavyweight title. Although losing Johnson still claimed the title because he was disqualified

Friday 1st December 1905
Eureka A.C., Baltimore, Maryland
Jack Johnson NC Young Peter Jackson ND 12
Johnson defends world 'colored' heavyweight title
"At its conclusion no decision was given. Johnson had undertaken to knock Jackson out within twelve rounds or take the smaller end of the receipts. He failed to do so." (Durango Democrat)

Saturday 2nd December 1905
National A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Jack Johnson NC Joe Jeannette ND (W)6
Johnson defends world 'colored' heavyweight title

Tuesday 16th January 1906
Sharkey A.C., New York, New York
Jack Johnson W Joe Jeannette NWS 3
Johnson defends world 'colored' heavyweight title. (Boston Globe)

Wednesday 14th March 1906
Baltimore, Maryland
Jack Johnson W Joe Jeannette PTS 15
Johnson defends world 'colored' heavyweight title

Thursday 26th April 1906
Lincoln A.C., Chelsea, Massachusetts
Jack Johnson 185 W Sam Langford 156 PTS 15
Referee: Martin Flaherty
Johnson defends world 'colored' heavyweight title - Langford knocked down twice.

[hhascup]

Thursday 20th September 1906
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Jack Johnson NC Joe Jeannette ND 6
Johnson defends world 'colored' heavyweight title

Monday 26th November 1906
Portland, Maine
Jack Johnson D Joe Jeannette PTS 10
Johnson defends world 'colored' heavyweight title

Tuesday 19th February 1907
Gaiety Athletic Hall, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Jack Johnson W Peter Felix KO 10
Johnson defends world 'colored' heavyweight title

1908 Jack Johnson wins world heavyweight title in December.

Feb 20,1909 Sam McVea W20 Joe Jeannette, Paris, FR
Apr 9, 1909 Sam McVea KO2 Cyclone Billy ******, Paris, FR
Apr 17, 1909 Joe Jeannette KO49 Sam McVea, Paris, FR
---Sam Langford claims title after Johnson refuses to face him for the world title.

Tuesday 13th July 1909
Bijou Theater, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Sam Langford W John (Klondike) Haines NWS 6
Langford claims World 'colored' Heavyweight title after Jack Johnson refuses to meet him. Langford reported to have had the better of fight by Pittsburgh Post.

Tuesday 28th September 1909
Armory, Boston, Massachusetts
Sam Langford W Dixie Kid TKO 5
Langford defends world 'colored' heavyweight title claim

Tuesday 2nd November 1909
Armory, Boston, Massachusetts
Sam Langford W John (Klondike) Haines KO 2
Langford defends world 'colored' heavyweight title claim

Dec 11,1909 Joe Jeanette D30 Sam McVey, Paris, FR

Monday 10th January 1910
Memphis, Tennessee
Sam Langford W Dixie Kid KO 3
Langford defends world 'colored' heavyweight title claim

Saturday 14th May 1910
National A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Sam Langford W Battling Jim Johnson NWS 6
Langford defends world 'colored' heavyweight title claim
Langford "had things practically all his own way." (Washington Post)

Tuesday 6th September 1910
Armory A.C., Boston, Massachusetts
Sam Langford W Joe Jeannette PTS 15
Langford defends world 'colored' heavyweight title claim

Thursday 10th November 1910
Joplin, Missouri
Heavyweight
Sam Langford W Jeff Clark KO 2
Langford defends world 'colored' heavyweight title claim
"Sam Langford won over Jeff Clark of Joplin in the second round of what was to have been a ten-round bout here tonight. The fight was stopped when Clark was all but out. Before he would fight Langford insisted that the ring be reduced to sixteen feet square. From the tap of the gong Langford rushed, showering short jabs to the body. The force of his onslaught rendered Clark powerless and he was knocked to the floor for the count of eight three times in the first round. He came back gamely, but after two minutes of the second round, after he had gone down twice, the referee stopped the fight, giving Langford the decision." (Indianapolis Star)


Tuesday 6th December 1910
Armory, Boston, Massachusetts
Sam Langford W Morris Harris KO 2
Langford defends world 'colored' heavyweight title claim

Tuesday 10th January 1911
Armory A.A., Boston, Massachusetts
Sam Langford W Joe Jeannette PTS 12
Langford defends world 'colored' heavyweight title claim
"Langford had a decisive lead in every round but one and in the first round dropped Jeannette for a count of eight." (Elbert County Banner)

Saturday 1st April 1911
Paris, France
Sam Langford D Sam McVea PTS 20
Langford defends world 'colored' heavyweight title claim


Tuesday 5th September 1911
Madison Square Garden, New York, New York
Sam Langford W Joe Jeannette NWS 10
Langford won the newspaper decision according to the New York Times. Jeanette was knocked down in the 1st, 4th, and 10th rounds.
Langford defends world 'colored' heavyweight title claim

Tuesday 26th December 1911
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Sam McVea W Sam Langford PTS20
Langford loses world 'colored' heavyweight title claim

Monday 8th April 1912
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Sam Langford W Sam McVea PTS 20
Australian Heavyweight Title
Langford regains world 'colored' heavyweight title claim

Saturday 3rd August 1912
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Sam Langford W Sam McVea PTS 20
Australian Heavyweight Title ~
Langford defends world 'colored' heavyweight title claim

Wednesday 9th October 1912
Perth, Australia
Sam Langford W Sam McVea TKO 11
Langford defends world 'colored' heavyweight title claim
McVey claimed a foul. This was not allowed and he refused to continue.

Thursday 26th December 1912
Sydney Stadium, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Sam Langford W Sam McVea KO 13
Langford defends world 'colored' heavyweight title claim

Monday 24th March 1913
Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Sam Langford D Sam McVea PTS 20
Langford defends world 'colored' heavyweight title claim

Tuesday 9th September 1913
Atlantic Gardens A.C., New York, New York
Heavyweight
Sam Langford 185 W John Lester Johnson 170 KO 11
Langford defends world 'colored' heavyweight title claim.
At the gong, Johnson began prancing and stamping around the ring like a horse with the blind staggers. Langford was compelled to take long-distance swings and the only place he could reach was his opponents left kidney, which he did until Johnson went down.

Friday 3rd October 1913
Madison Square Garden, New York, New York
Sam Langford 199¼ D Joe Jeannette NWS10
Referee: Billy Joh
Newspaper decision was a draw according to the New York Times. It was felt that Langford was badly out of shape. Atlanta Constitution reported Jeannette winning
Langford defends world 'colored' heavyweight title claim

Saturday 20th December 1913
Luna Park, Paris, France
Sam Langford W Joe Jeannette PTS 20
Langford defends world 'colored' heavyweight title claim

Monday 23 March 1914
National S.C., New York, New York
Sam Langford W Bill Watkins TKO-1
Langford defends world 'colored' heavyweight title claim.

Friday 27th March 1914
Empire A.C., New York, New York
Sam Langford 200 W Battling Jim Johnson 226 NWS 10
Langford defends world 'colored' heavyweight title claim
Langford "won by a wide margin" when Johnson "failed to show anything remotely resembling championship ability" (New York Times)

Wednesday 15th April 1914
Chattanooga, Tennessee
Sam Langford W George Kid Cotton PTS 8
Langford defends world 'colored' heavyweight title claim

Friday 1st May 1914
New Orleans, Louisiana
Sam Langford D Harry Wills NWS10
Newspaper decision was a draw
Langford defends world 'colored' heavyweight title claim

Thursday 26th November 1914
Vernon, California
Heavyweight
Sam Langford W Harry Wills KO14
Langford defends world 'colored' heavyweight title claim
"With a left swing to the jaw, Sam Langford of Boston knocked out Harry Wills, the giant New Orleans negro, in the fourteenth round of a scheduled twenty-round fight this afternoon at Vernon. Both men were knocked down repeatedly, Langford himself taking the count four times in the first two rounds. Langford early in the fight hurt his left ankle as he fell to the mat in a vicious breakaway. Wills' effective straight-arm drives gave him an apparent even break in most of the rounds, but Langford fought with a superior knowledge of the game that gradually wore out Wills. As the soreness left Langford's injured ankle, his footwork improved and the twelfth, thirteenth and fourteenth rounds showed Langford winning. His speed, judgment and force then enabled him to play with Wills. The final swing was delivered after a torrent of blows had left Wills staggering." (Indianapolis Star)

Tuesday 6th April 1915
35th Street A.C., New York, New York
Sam Langford 195 D Battling Jim Johnson 224 NWS 10
Newspaper decision was a draw according to the New York Times
Langford defends world 'colored' heavyweight title claim

Tuesday 13th April 1915
Boston, Massachusetts
Heavyweight
Joe Jeannette W Sam Langford PTS 12
Langford loses world 'colored' heavyweight title claim

Tuesday 27th April 1915
Boston, Massachusetts
Joe Jeannette D Sam McVea PTS 12
Jeannette defends world 'colored' heavyweight title claim

Tuesday 29th June 1915
Atlas A.A., Boston, Massachusetts
Sam McVea W Sam Langford PTS 12
McVey wins a version of World 'colored' Heavyweight title

Tuesday 7th September 1915
Boston, Massachusetts
Harry Wills W Sam McVea PTS 12
McVey loses his World 'colored' heavyweight title claim

Friday 3rd December 1915
Harlem S.C., New York, New York
Harry Wills 205 W Sam Langford 195 NWS 10
Wills easily won the newspaper decision, per the New York Times
Wills defends his World 'colored' heavyweight title claim

Monday 3rd January 1916
New Orleans, Louisiana
Heavyweight
Harry Wills W Sam Langford PTS 20
Referee: Tommy Burns
Wills defends his World 'colored' heavyweight title claim

Friday 11th February 1916
New Orleans, Louisiana
Heavyweight
Sam Langford W Harry Wills KO 19
Wills loses his World 'colored' heavyweight title claim
"Sam Langford knocked out Harry Wills in the 19th round of a scheduled twenty-round go at a local arena last night. Until the knockout blow neither fighter seemed to have the advantage." (Reno Evening Gazette)

[hhascup]

Thursday 17th February 1916
Madison Square Garden, New York, New York
Heavyweight
Sam Langford 193 D Sam McVea 212 NWS 10
Langford defends his World 'colored' heavyweight title claim.
New York Times

Saturday 26th February 1916
Montreal, Quebec
Joe Jeannette W Silas Green KO 6
Jeannette defends his world 'colored' heavyweight title claim

Monday 28th February 1916
Long Acre A.A., New York, New York
Sam Langford W Cleve Hawkins NWS 10
Langford easily won the newspaper decision, per the New York Times. Langford defends his World 'colored' heavyweight title claim

Tuesday 7th March 1916
Broadway S.C., Brooklyn, New York
Harry Wills W Sam Langford NWS 10
Wills easily won the newspaper decision, per the New York Times. Langford defends his World 'colored' heavyweight title claim

Wednesday 22nd March 1916
Syracuse, New York
Sam Langford W Dave Mills TKO 2
Langford defends his World 'colored' heavyweight title claim

Friday 31st March 1916
St. Louis, Missouri
Heavyweight
Sam Langford 190 W Jeff Clark 175 TKO 5
Langford defends his World 'colored' heavyweight title claim
"Sam Langford drove his right hand against Jeff Clark's jaw in the fifth round of their scheduled 10 round bout here last night. Clarke's second carried him away." (Sandusky Star Journal)

Friday 7th April 1916
Syracuse, New York
Heavyweight
Sam McVea D Sam Langford NWS 10
Langford defends his World 'colored' heavyweight title claim
Newspaper draw. (Sandusky Star Journal)

Tuesday 25th April 1916
St. Louis, Missouri
Heavyweight
Harry Wills W Sam Langford NWS 8
Langford defends his World 'colored' heavyweight title claim
Wills won the newspaper decision. (Nevada State Journal)



Tuesday 2nd May 1916
East Market St. Rink, Akron, Ohio
Sam Langford NC Sam McVea ND 12
Langford defends his World 'colored' heavyweight title claim

Friday 12th May 1916
Arena, Syracuse, New York
Sam Langford W Joe Jeannette KO 7
Langford wins undisputed world 'colored' heavyweight title

Saturday 12th August 1916
Teatro Roma, Avellaneda, Buenos Aires
Heavyweight
Sam Langford D Sam McVea PTS 20
Langford defends his World 'colored' heavyweight title claim
Controversial Decision

Thursday 30th November 1916
Syracuse, New York
Heavyweight
Sam Langford 198 D Bill Tate 226 NWS 10
Langford defends his World 'colored' heavyweight title claim. The Syracuse Herald gave it to Langford, but the Syracuse Post-Standard gave it to Tate. Either way it was a very close fight.

Tuesday 12th December 1916
St. Louis, Missouri
Sam Langford W Battling Jim Johnson KO 12
Langford defends his World 'colored' heavyweight title claim

Monday 1st January 1917
Kansas City, Missouri
Sam Langford W Battling Jim Johnson PTS12
Langford defends his World 'colored' heavyweight title claim

Thursday 25th January 1917
Kansas City, Missouri
Heavyweight
Bill Tate W Sam Langford PTS 12
Langford loses his World 'colored' heavyweight title claim

Tuesday 1st May 1917
St. Louis, Missouri
Heavyweight
Sam Langford W Bill Tate KO 5
Langford regains his World 'colored' heavyweight title claim

Friday 11th May 1917
Cambria A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Heavyweight
Sam Langford D Harry Wills NWS 6
Langford defends his World 'colored' heavyweight title claim
(Chicago Tribune)

Friday 14th September 1917
Toledo, Ohio
Heavyweight
Sam Langford W Joe Jeannette NWS 12
Langford defends his World 'colored' heavyweight title claim
(Chicago Tribune)

Thursday 20th September 1917
Brooklyn, New York
Heavyweight
Sam Langford L Harry Wills NWS 10
Langford defends his World 'colored' heavyweight title claim
Wills won the newspaper decision. (****** Evening Mirror)

Monday 12th November 1917
Coliseum, Toledo, Ohio
Heavyweight
Sam Langford L Harry Wills NWS 12
Langford defends his World 'colored' heavyweight title claim
Wills won the newspaper decision. (Decatur Review)

Monday 17th December 1917
Stockyards Stadium, Denver, Colorado
Heavyweight
Sam Langford W Kid Norfolk KO2
Langford defends his World 'colored' heavyweight title claim
Norfolk down 3 times in 2d

Sunday 14th April 1918
Panama City
Heavyweight
Harry Wills W Sam Langford KO 6
Langford loses his World 'colored' heavyweight title claim

Sunday 19th May 1918
Panama City Heavyweight
Harry Wills W Sam Langford TKO 7
Wills defends his World 'colored' heavyweight title claim

Monday 19th August 1918
Atlantic City, New Jersey
Harry Wills W Jeff Clark TKO 5
Wills defends his World 'colored' heavyweight title claim

Saturday 14th September 1918
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Harry Wills NC Jack Thompson ND 6
Wills defends his World 'colored' heavyweight title claim





Tuesday 10th June 1919
Jersey City, New Jersey
Heavyweight
Harry Wills W John Lester Johnson NWS 8
Wills defends his World 'colored' heavyweight title claim
Wills won the newspaper decision. (Bridgeport Standard Telegram)

Friday 4th July 1919
St. Louis, Missouri
Heavyweight
Harry Wills W Sam Langford W NWS 8
Wills defends his World 'colored' heavyweight title claim
Wills won the newspaper decision. (Decatur Review)

Monday 18th August 1919
Arena, Syracuse, New York
Heavyweight
Harry Wills W Jeff Clark TKO 4
Wills defends his World 'colored' heavyweight title claim

Tuesday 30th September 1919
Arena, Syracuse, New York
Heavyweight
Harry Wills NC Sam Langford ND 10
Wills defends his World 'colored' heavyweight title claim
The Syracuse Herald reported that it was a very disappointing fight and that it wasn't important 'whether Wills won or Langford won or it was a draw.' It did report that Langford's eye was closed and his mouth cut at the end, while Wills only suffered a damaged reputation.

Monday 20th October 1919
Fourth Regiment Armory, Jersey City, New Jersey
Heavyweight
Harry Wills W Joe Jeannette NWS 8
Wills defends his World 'colored' heavyweight title claim
Wills won the newspaper decision. (Newark Advocate)

Wednesday 5th November 1919
Tulsa, Oklahoma
Heavyweight
Harry Wills W Sam Langford PTS15
Wills defends his World 'colored' heavyweight title claim

Thursday 1st January 1920
Coliseum, San Francisco, California
Heavyweight
Harry Wills NC Jack Thompson NC 3
Wills defends his World 'colored' heavyweight title claim
After their loudly booed perfrormance, both fighters purses were withheld by the promoters

Monday 12th January 1920
Tulsa, Oklahoma
Harry Wills W Jack Thompson PTS 15
Wills defends his World 'colored' heavyweight title claim

Wednesday 17th March 1920
St. Paul, Minnesota
Harry Wills W Andrew Johnson KO 1
Wills defends his World 'colored' heavyweight title claim
This bout lasted 42 seconds. Wills hit Johnson once and Johnson hit the floor twice. Johnson went down, got up, went down--and then stayed down.Vancouver Daily World


Friday 23rd April 1920
Stockyard Stadium, Denver, Colorado
Heavyweight
Harry Wills W Sam Langford PTS 15
Wills defends his World 'colored' heavyweight title claim
"The once mighty Sam Langford was led to an awful slaughter by Harry Wills of New Orleans at Denver Friday night. Altho the Tarbaby was not disgraced, gamely surviving four knockdowns in the first round, and by superb ring generalship lasting the fifteen-round limit. The two blacks were fighting on even terms on the finish, but the referee's decision easily went to Wills." (Evening State Journal)
Also incorrectly reported as occurring April 19.
Wills is generally regarded by all as the leading black heavyweight in the world. He holds the “title” of colored champion until his loss at the hands of Jack Sharkey in October of 1926.

Wednesday 8th September 1920
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Harry Wills NC Sam McVea NC 6
Wills defends his World 'colored' heavyweight title claim
The referee stopped the bout, claiming the two were stalling. Both boxers then were barred from boxing again in Philadelphia.

[hhascup]

Monday 17th January 1921
Broadway Auditorium, Buffalo, New York
Heavyweight
Harry Wills 210 W Bill Tate 230 KO2
Wills defends his World 'colored' heavyweight title claim

Friday 11th February 1921
Baltimore, Maryland
Heavyweight
Harry Wills W Jeff Clark KO 2
Wills defends his World 'colored' heavyweight title claim

Friday 27th May 1921
Broadway Arena, Brooklyn, New York
Heavyweight
Harry Wills 211 W Andrew Johnson 212½ KO 10
Wills defends his World 'colored' heavyweight title claim

Saturday 2nd July 1921
Queensboro Stadium, Long Island City, New York
Heavyweight
Harry Wills 214 W Bill Tate 243 TKO 6
Wills defends his World 'colored' heavyweight title claim

Friday 18th November 1921
Arena, Milwaukie, Oregon
Heavyweight
Harry Wills W Denver Ed Martin KO1 Time: 2:05 ~
Wills defends his World 'colored' heavyweight title claim. Martin was down six times

Wednesday 30th November 1921
Denver, Colorado
Harry Wills NC Jack Thompson NC 5
Wills defends his World 'colored' heavyweight title claim.
The referee stopped the fight without rendering a decision after Thompson fell to the floor claiming a foul had been committed.

Wednesday 7th December 1921
Denver, Colorado
Heavyweight
Harry Wills W Bill Tate PTS 12
Wills defends his World 'colored' heavyweight title claim

Monday 2nd January 1922
Arena, Milwaukie, Oregon
Promoter: George Moore
Heavyweight
Harry Wills L Bill Tate DQ 1
Referee: Tom Louttit
Wills was disqualified for knocking Tate down after the referee's call to break; Both fighters agreed to a rematch four days later, at no cost to the fans.
Tate claims the Black Heavyweight Title.

Friday 6th January 1922
Arena, Milwaukie, Oregon
Promoter: George Moore
Heavyweight
Harry Wills D Bill Tate PTS 10
Both fighters claimed the Black Heavyweight title in this bout. Wills bled from a cut over his right eye from the 5th round on. Wills was knocked down for no count in the 9th from a rabbit punch.
(Both fought without pay because of that Monday night fiasco four days previous.)

Tuesday 17th January 1922
Arena, Milwaukie, Oregon
Harry Wills W Sam Langford PTS 10
Wills defends his World 'colored' heavyweight title claim


Thursday 29th June 1922
Trenton, New Jersey
Harry Wills 211 W Jeff Clark 193 KO 2
Wills defends his World 'colored' heavyweight title claim

Monday 17th July 1922
Winnipeg, Manitoba
Harry Wills W Jeff Clark KO 3
Wills defends his World 'colored' heavyweight title claim

Monday 21st August 1922
Broad A.C., Newark, New Jersey
Harry Wills 215 W Buddy Jackson 194 KO 2 Time: 2:14
Referee: Harry McCoy
Wills defends his World 'colored' heavyweight title claim

Tuesday 29th August 1922
Ebbets Field, Brooklyn, New York
Heavyweight
Harry Wills W Tut Jackson KO 3
Wills defends his World 'colored' heavyweight title claim

Friday 29th September 1922
Madison Square Garden, New York, New York
Harry Wills 213¾ W Clem Johnson 204 TKO12 Time: 1:55
Wills defends his World 'colored' heavyweight title claim

Monday 5th November 1923
Newark, New Jersey
Heavyweight
Harry Wills W Jack Thompson TKO 4
Wills defends his World 'colored' heavyweight title claim

Nov 8, 1926 George Godfrey KO6 Larry Gains, Buffalo, NY
Nov 22, 1926 George Godfrey D10 Bearcat Wright, Portland, OR

Jul 5, 1927 George Godfrey KO7 Neil Clisby, Los Angeles, CA
Nov 20, 1927 George Godfrey KO1 Clem Johnson, Atlantic City, NJ

Aug 15, 1928 Larry Gains WF3 George Godfrey, Toronto, Can
-Billed as a championship affair---Gaines never made any real claim to the title. He left to campaign in Europe and Godfrey remained recognized as the colored champion.

Dec 19, 1930 George Godfrey D10 Bearcat Wright, Atlantic City, NJ
-Billed as for the American Black Title

Aug 24, 1931 George Godfrey KO2 Seal Harris, Toronto, Can

Sep 5,1932 George Godfrey KO5 Roy (Ace) Clark, Laredo, TX

Jan 31, 1933 George Godfrey W10 Tiger Jack Fox, Indianapolis, IN
Mar 10, 1933 George Godfrey NC6 Bearcat Wright, Kansas City, MO
Oct 9, 1933 Obie Walker W10 George Godfrey, Philadelphia, PA

Jul 20, 1935 Larry Gains W15 Obie Walker, Leicester, Eng

[Senya13]

Friday 23rd February 1883
Boston, Massachusetts
George Godfrey ([Only registered and activated users can see links]) W (Professor) Charles Hadley ([Only registered and activated users can see links]) KO 6
Billed for the 'colored' Heavyweight title
2oz gloves were used

Sunday 1st July 1883
New York, New York
(Professor) Charles Hadley ([Only registered and activated users can see links]) W Harry Woodson ([Only registered and activated users can see links]) PTS
Date Uncertain (Black Heavyweight Championship)
That is, despite getting knocked out by Godfrey, Hadley retained his claim for the title? I didn't see any mention of Godfrey-Hadley fight billed for any title, in the clipping of the fight I have.

[Boilermaker]

So, Jack Johnson was the Lineal coloured champion when he lost to Willard, but this couldnt have been a title match for obvious reasons. So, did Jack end up losing the lineal coloured championship?

[hhascup]

So, Jack Johnson was the Lineal coloured champion when he lost to Willard, but this couldnt have been a title match for obvious reasons. So, did Jack end up losing the lineal coloured championship?

Sam Langford claimed the Title after Johnson refused to box him. Sam McVea also claimed the Title for the same reason and he lost to Jeannette who in turn lost to Langford.

1908 Jack Johnson wins world heavyweight title in December.

Feb 20,1909 Sam McVea W20 Joe Jeannette, Paris, FR
Apr 9, 1909 Sam McVea KO2 Cyclone Billy ******, Paris, FR
Apr 17, 1909 Joe Jeannette KO49 Sam McVea, Paris, FR
---Sam Langford claims title after Johnson refuses to face him for the world title.

Tuesday 13th July 1909
Bijou Theater, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Sam Langford W John (Klondike) Haines NWS 6
Langford claims World 'colored' Heavyweight title after Jack Johnson refuses to meet him. Langford reported to have had the better of fight by Pittsburgh Post.

Tuesday 6th September 1910
Armory A.C., Boston, Massachusetts
Sam Langford W Joe Jeannette PTS 15
Langford defends world 'colored' heavyweight title claim

[Mendoza]

Sam Langford claimed the Title after Johnson refused to box him. Sam McVea also claimed the Title for the same reason and he lost to Jeannette who in turn lost to Langford.

1908 Jack Johnson wins world heavyweight title in December.

Feb 20,1909 Sam McVea W20 Joe Jeannette, Paris, FR
Apr 9, 1909 Sam McVea KO2 Cyclone Billy ******, Paris, FR
Apr 17, 1909 Joe Jeannette KO49 Sam McVea, Paris, FR
---Sam Langford claims title after Johnson refuses to face him for the world title.

Tuesday 13th July 1909
Bijou Theater, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Sam Langford W John (Klondike) Haines NWS 6
Langford claims World 'colored' Heavyweight title after Jack Johnson refuses to meet him. Langford reported to have had the better of fight by Pittsburgh Post.

Tuesday 6th September 1910
Armory A.C., Boston, Massachusetts
Sam Langford W Joe Jeannette PTS 15
Langford defends world 'colored' heavyweight title claim

Welcome to the board Hhascup! I can see you will be a fine addition.

By chance is there a picture of the colored title belt? I read it was leather with diamonds.

[Boilermaker]

Sam Langford claimed the Title after Johnson refused to box him. Sam McVea also claimed the Title for the same reason and he lost to Jeannette who in turn lost to Langford.

1908 Jack Johnson wins world heavyweight title in December.

Feb 20,1909 Sam McVea W20 Joe Jeannette, Paris, FR
Apr 9, 1909 Sam McVea KO2 Cyclone Billy ******, Paris, FR
Apr 17, 1909 Joe Jeannette KO49 Sam McVea, Paris, FR
---Sam Langford claims title after Johnson refuses to face him for the world title.

Tuesday 13th July 1909
Bijou Theater, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Sam Langford W John (Klondike) Haines NWS 6
Langford claims World 'colored' Heavyweight title after Jack Johnson refuses to meet him. Langford reported to have had the better of fight by Pittsburgh Post.

Tuesday 6th September 1910
Armory A.C., Boston, Massachusetts
Sam Langford W Joe Jeannette PTS 15
Langford defends world 'colored' heavyweight title claim

Thanks for that, but

Sam Langford may have "claimed" it, but you cannot "claim" a lineal title. This means that Johnson retained the lineal title (in the same way that George Foreman retained the lineal World title) when he refused to fight no1 contenders or when Spinks maintained the lineal title until he lost to Tyson, or Ali, until he lost to Frazier.

When Johnson lost to Willard, he did not lose a fight for 11 years. That is an amazing record, when you think about it. His next loss was to Fighting Bob Lawson. I guess the question here is does 'fighting' Bob Lawson qualify for the coloured heavyweight championship. And if he does, doe this mean that he holds the lineal title until he meets George Godfrey, or Is bob lawsons record different to what is on boxrec.

[hhascup]

Thanks for that, but

Sam Langford may have "claimed" it, but you cannot "claim" a lineal title. This means that Johnson retained the lineal title (in the same way that George Foreman retained the lineal World title) when he refused to fight no1 contenders or when Spinks maintained the lineal title until he lost to Tyson, or Ali, until he lost to Frazier.

When Johnson lost to Willard, he did not lose a fight for 11 years. That is an amazing record, when you think about it. His next loss was to Fighting Bob Lawson. I guess the question here is does 'fighting' Bob Lawson qualify for the coloured heavyweight championship. And if he does, doe this mean that he holds the lineal title until he meets George Godfrey, or Is bob lawsons record different to what is on boxrec.


Johnson wouldn't give any of the top "BLACK" fighters a title shot, so Langford and other top "Black" fighters claimed the title. When Langford, who challenged Johnson many times, beat all the rest of the top "Black" fighters, he was recognized as the rightful title holder.

You could say that Johnson was the "Lineal" Champion BUT he never claimed to be the Champion during that time.

[Mendoza]

Johnson wouldn't give any of the top "BLACK" fighters a title shot, so Langford and other top "Black" fighters claimed the title. When Langford, who challenged Johnson many times, beat all the rest of the top "Black" fighters, he was recognized as the rightful title holder.

You could say that Johnson was the "Lineal" Champion BUT he never claimed to be the Champion during that time.

Quick question. Is there a reason why Jack Johnson never fought Bob Armstrong?

[djanders]

Great thread! There is a lot of information in here. I enjoyed reading it! Thanks, Janitor!

[Boilermaker]

Thanks for that, but

Sam Langford may have "claimed" it, but you cannot "claim" a lineal title. This means that Johnson retained the lineal title (in the same way that George Foreman retained the lineal World title) when he refused to fight no1 contenders or when Spinks maintained the lineal title until he lost to Tyson, or Ali, until he lost to Frazier.

When Johnson lost to Willard, he did not lose a fight for 11 years. That is an amazing record, when you think about it. His next loss was to Fighting Bob Lawson. I guess the question here is does 'fighting' Bob Lawson qualify for the coloured heavyweight championship. And if he does, doe this mean that he holds the lineal title until he meets George Godfrey, or Is bob lawsons record different to what is on boxrec.

Answering my own question Fighting Bob Lawson became the lineal coloured champion he held on to the title until he lost his fight to George Godfrey. in September 1926. The lineal title will then be unified with the official title when Godfrey beat Gains in november. Godfrey would not lose another fight to an eligible contender, so i guess that he really does have the real lineal coloured title.

[TonyT]

SNOOPBEE N Janitor ROCK! Great stuff guys. Thanks. DRMULLEN.

[Ste Hawkins]

Seek out the documentary on Jack Johnson called "Unforgiveable Blackness". V. Good.

[road_warrior_99]

George Godfrey had quite a few DQ's on his record. I noticed he beat Larry Gains once but then lost to him later on a Low Blow DQ. Did Godfrey DQ fights when things were not going his way?

[Stevie G]

Seek out the documentary on Jack Johnson called "Unforgiveable Blackness". V. Good.
Only saw this last week. Excellent.

[Marnoff]

Thanks for posting this.

[johnmaff36]

great post. very informative

[eslubin]

this is a neat project

[dublynflya]

1926

Nov 8 George Godfrey KO6 Larry Gaines, Buffalo, NY
Nov 22 George Godfrey D10 Bearcat Wright, Portland, OR

1927

Jul 5 George Godfrey KO7 Neil Clisby, Los Angeles, CA
Nov 20 George Godfrey KO1 Clem Johnson, Atlantic City, NJ

1928

Aug 15 Larry Gaines WF3 George Godfrey, Toronto, Can
-Billed as a championship affair---Gaines never made any real claim to the title. He left to campaign in Europe and Godfrey remained recognized as the colored champion.

1930

Dec 19 George Godfrey D10 Bearcat Wright, Atlantic City, NJ
-Billed as for the American Black Title

1931

Aug 24 George Godfrey KO2 Seal Harris, Toronto, Can

1932

Sep 5 George Godfrey KO5 Ace Clark, Laredo, TX

1933

Jan 31 George Godfrey W10 Tiger Jack Fox, Indianapolis, IN
Mar 10 George Godfrey NC6 Bearcat Wright, Kansas City, MO
Oct 9 Obidiah Walker W10 George Godfrey, Philadelphia, PA

1935

Jul 20 Larry Gaines W15 Obidiah Walker, Leicester,

:good A truly superb post Janitor! Many thanks mate!!! One can only learn from such posts! Indeed such posts they are one of the main reasons I joined this site! I was fascinated to learn that there was a championship fight in the city of Newcastle, England, in 1902, which is where I live!!!! What a quiz question that is going to make:-). Many thanks, once again!!

[Stevie G]

Seek out the documentary on Jack Johnson called "Unforgiveable Blackness". V. Good.
I agree. Best documentary that I've seen of Johnson.

[My2Sense]

1908

Jack Johnson wins world heavyweight title in December.

1909

Feb 20 Sam McVey W20 Joe Jeanette, Paris, FR
Apr 9 Sam McVey KO2 Cyclone Billy ******, Paris, FR
Apr 17 Joe Jeanette KO49 Sam McVey, Paris, FR
---Sam Langford claims title after Johnson refuses to face him for the world title.
Dec 11 Joe Jeanette D30 Sam McVey, Paris, FR

1910

Sep 6 Sam Langford W15 Joe Jeanette, Boston, MA
Nov 10 Sam Langfrod KO2 Jeff Clarke, Joplin , MO

1911

Jan 10 Sam Langford W12 Joe Jeanette, Boston, MA
Apr 1 Sam Langford D20 Sam McVey, Paris, FR
Dec 26 Sam McVey W20 Sam Langford, Sydney, NSW, AUS

1912

Apr 8 Sam Langford W20 Sam McVey, Sydney, NSW, AUS
Dec 26 Sam Langford KO13 Sam McVey, Sydney, NSW, AUS

1913

Dec 20 Sam Langford W20 Joe Jeanette, Paris, FR

1914

May 1 Harry Wills W10 Sam Langford, New Orleans, LA
Nov 26 Sam Langford KO14 Harry Wills, Los Angeles, CA

1916

Jan 3 Harry Wills W20 Sam Langford, New Orleans, LA
Feb 11 Sam Langford KO19 Harry Wills, New Orleans, LA

1917

Jan 25 Bill Tate W12 Sam Langford, Kansas City, MO
May 2 Sam Langford KO6 Bill Tate, St. Louis, MO
Dec 17 Sam Langford KO2 Kid Norfolk, Denver, CO

1918

Apr 14 Harry Wills KO6 Sam Langford, Panama City, Pan
May 19 Harry Wills TK7 Sam Langford, Panama City, Pan

1919

Aug 18 Harry Wills KO4 Jeff Clarke, Syracuse, NY

1920

Apr 19 Harry Wills W15 Sam Langford, Denver, CO

Wills is generally regarded by all as the leading black heavyweight in the world. He holds the “title” of colored champion until his loss at the hands of Jack Sharkey in October of 1926.



The actual lineage of the colored HW title during through time was with Johnson, who was never beaten by a black man until 1926 when he lost to Bob Lawson. What Langford, McVey, and others held was a dubious claim that they invented as a means of marketing themselves.

After Johnson's loss, the lineage should resume with George Godfrey, who beat Lawson shortly after his win over Johnson.

[eslubin]

ANy chance of compiling an easy to read title lineage, with number of reigns, etc? This is a great project since you can say at some points the colored title superceded the white title in significance

[Stevie G]

Black fighters had to go through all kinds of shit in this time period,did n't they. A reflection of life in general for them circa early twentieth century.

[mcvey]

George Godfrey had quite a few DQ's on his record. I noticed he beat Larry Gains once but then lost to him later on a Low Blow DQ. Did Godfrey DQ fights when things were not going his way?
Sometimes, when he was paid to lose, because he had too much pride to lay down.

[Juiceboxbiotch]

:good:good:thumbsup

Great thread! Very informative, had a lot of fun reading this...

[Bonecrusher]

This is amazing!! Thanks!!

[m8te]

I hope you guys know that this thread is actually a legitimate historical unearthing. good work

[Surf-Bat]

Tommy Gibbons technically became the "Colored Light-Heavyweight Champion" when he beat Kid Norfolk, who held that distinction at the time:yep

[eslubin]

DEMPSEY AND KEARNS WANTED THE WILLS FIGHT MORE THAN ANYBODY HOWEVER WILLIAM MULDOON WAS THE COMMISSONER IN NEW YORK AND GOING BACK IN TIME HE HAD BEEN SULLIVANS TRAINER .HE WAS THE ONE WHO PUT A STOP TO THAT FIGHT FROM HAPPENING AS HE DID NOT BELEIVE IN CROSSING THE COLOR LINE .

Thats not exactly true because Muldoon trained and managed black fighters (CC Smith, Billy Hill) against whites and vice versa (Denver Ed Smith vs Jackson, Kilrain vs Godfrey). It wasn't Muldoon's decision, he was pressured from the top. And Wills record speaks for itself, he was great.

[Only registered and activated users can see links]




[Only registered and activated users can see links] ([Only registered and activated users can see links])

[eslubin]

Tommy Gibbons technically became the "Colored Light-Heavyweight Champion" when he beat Kid Norfolk, who held that distinction at the time:yep

that's cool

[Boxed Ears]

Thats not exactly true because Muldoon trained and managed black fighters (CC Smith, Billy Hill) against whites and vice versa (Denver Ed Smith vs Jackson, Kilrain vs Godfrey). It wasn't Muldoon's decision, he was pressured from the top. And Wills record speaks for itself, he was great.

[Only registered and activated users can see links]




[Only registered and activated users can see links] ([Only registered and activated users can see links])


:rofl:rofl:rofl You're alright, man.

[Deepanshu]

nah man thats god up there. have some respect.




Free Themes ([Only registered and activated users can see links])
Free ebooks ([Only registered and activated users can see links])

[willmc83]

was there many black promoters or managers around at the time and were the "coloured fights" attened by both blacks and whites?

[Surf-Bat]

was there many black promoters or managers around at the time and were the "coloured fights" attened by both blacks and whites?

Gus Greenlee was the first black manager of a black world champ(John Henry Lewis) that I know of. This would be the early 1930s though.

[willmc83]

Gus Greenlee was the first black manager of a black world champ(John Henry Lewis) that I know of. This would be the early 1930s though.


thanks

[Ringrat]

George Godfrey had quite a few DQ's on his record. I noticed he beat Larry Gains once but then lost to him later on a Low Blow DQ. Did Godfrey DQ fights when things were not going his way?

Like a lot of heavyweights, Godfrey could be a bit of a head-case. He didn't always put on his best effort and sometimes didn't train. He liked to fool around too much in camp. He was a bit like Buster Douglas. Like a lot of fighters in those days, if things weren't going his way, he'd find an easier way to lose.

.

[Senya13]

Friday 1st May 1914
New Orleans, Louisiana
Harry Wills W Sam Langford PTS 10
Langford loses world 'colored' heavyweight title claim
Was a newspaper decision, Langford didn't lose his title claim.

[tony mush]

I agree. Best documentary that I've seen of Johnson.
[Only registered and activated users can see links]

[hhascup]

Was a newspaper decision, Langford didn't lose his title claim.

This was an actual decision according to many including Luckett Davis, the Ring Record Book and others.

[Senya13]

This was an actual decision according to many including Luckett Davis, the Ring Record Book and others.
[Only registered and activated users can see links]

Also, a next-day wire:
LANGFORD HAS NO SOFT MARK IN HARRY WILLS
--------
NEW ORLEANS, La., May 2.--Sam Langford of Boston and Harry Wills of New Orleans fought 10 rounds to a draw last night before the largest crowd seen here in years. Wills had the advantage in the first four rounds, splitting Langford's lip and cutting his left eye. Langford's ring experience told in the fifth, sixth and seventh rounds, and his infighting was wonderful. He almost had Wills out in the ninth, but Harry hung on in clinches. The 10th was an even round. Buddy Griffin, the referee, gave no decision, one paper here favoring Wills, others being for a draw. Langford was a 2 to 1 favorite in betting.

[hhascup]

[Only registered and activated users can see links]

I saw that as well, and I think it's very good, but I have to go with the record book on this one.

I will check it out and see what I come up with.

[Senya13]

I edited my original post above. I don't care what Luckett or the Ring Record book say. I have four next-day reports, 1 scoring for Langford, another a draw and 2 for Wills.

[hhascup]

I edited my original post above. I don't care what Luckett or the Ring Record book say. I have four next-day reports, 1 scoring for Langford, another a draw and 2 for Wills.

Like I said, I will check it out and get back to you. You might be right, we will see, OK.

[Senya13]

If you give me your e-mail, I can send you scans with all four reports.

[hhascup]

If you give me your e-mail, I can send you scans with all four reports.

[Only registered and activated users can see links]

I checked it out and found several mistakes as well. The articles you sent me showed that this was a No-Decision bout. The other sources had the wrong information.

[lufcrazy]

Just read through this thread again. Might have to reevaluate my view on jeffries. Beating both the coloured and the world champion is very impressive.

[Saintpat]

Incredible piece of research work. Could easily be turned into a dissertation for a master's degree with a bit of work.

Were there claimants to "coloured" titles in other weight classes?

[mcvey]

[Only registered and activated users can see links]

Also, a next-day wire:
LANGFORD HAS NO SOFT MARK IN HARRY WILLS
--------
NEW ORLEANS, La., May 2.--Sam Langford of Boston and Harry Wills of New Orleans fought 10 rounds to a draw last night before the largest crowd seen here in years. Wills had the advantage in the first four rounds, splitting Langford's lip and cutting his left eye. Langford's ring experience told in the fifth, sixth and seventh rounds, and his infighting was wonderful. He almost had Wills out in the ninth, but Harry hung on in clinches. The 10th was an even round. Buddy Griffin, the referee, gave no decision, one paper here favoring Wills, others being for a draw. Langford was a 2 to 1 favorite in betting.
Interesting and informative,thank you for posting:good

[Senya13]

You might be right, we will see, OK.
I corrected the lineage on Langford's record on boxrec. This adds 7 defences in between the two Wills fights. You forgot to list March 23, 1914, bout with Bill Watkins as a defence, on this thread, btw.

[TAC602]

Absolutely fascinating stuff guys.

:good

[TAC602]

Delete

[It Buurrnnssss]

Ts is racist!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[lufcrazy]

Not sure if this is any use to anyone but I used Hhascup's lineage plus Senya's correction to produce an easy to read breakdown. I'm not sure how accurate it is either but if anyone has any corrections i'm sure they'll let me know :good


Name; Reign; Defences
Charles C Smith; 1876-1881; 0
Prof Charles Hadley; 1881-1883; 3
George Godfrey; 1883-1888; 2
Peter Jackson; 1888-1896; 0
Bob Armstrong; 1896-1898; 1
Frank Childs; 1898-1898; 2
George Byers; 1898-1901; 1
Frank Childs(2); 1901-1902; 0
Denver Ed Martin; 1902-1903; 4
Jack Johnson; 1903-1909; 19
Sam McVea; 1909-1909; 1
Joe Jeannette; 1909-1909; 0
Sam Langford; 1909-1911; 10
Sam McVea(2); 1911-1912; 0
Sam Langford(2); 1912-1915; 21
Joe Jeannette(2); 1915-1915; 1
Sam McVea(3); 1915-1915; 0
Harry Wills; 1915-1916; 2
Sam Langford(3); 1916-1917; 13
Bill Tate; 1917-1917; 0
Sam Langford(4); 1917-1918; 5
Harry Wills(2); 1918-1926; 28
George Godfrey; 1926-1928; 4
Larry Gains; 1928-1930; 0
George Godfrey(2); 1930-1933; 5
Obie Walker; 1933-1935; 0
Larry Gains(2); 1935; 0

[Hands of Iron]

Not sure if this is any use to anyone but I used Hhascup's lineage plus Senya's correction to produce an easy to read breakdown. I'm not sure how accurate it is either but if anyone has any corrections i'm sure they'll let me know :good


Name; Reign; Defences
Charles C Smith; 1876-1881; 0
Prof Charles Hadley; 1881-1883; 3
George Godfrey; 1883-1888; 2
Peter Jackson; 1888-1896; 0
Bob Armstrong; 1896-1898; 1
Frank Childs; 1898-1898; 2
George Byers; 1898-1901; 1
Frank Childs(2); 1901-1902; 0
Denver Ed Martin; 1902-1903; 4
Jack Johnson; 1903-1909; 19
Sam McVea; 1909-1909; 1
Joe Jeannette; 1909-1909; 0
Sam Langford; 1909-1911; 10
Sam McVea(2); 1911-1912; 0
Sam Langford(2); 1912-1915; 21
Joe Jeannette(2); 1915-1915; 1
Sam McVea(3); 1915-1915; 0
Harry Wills; 1915-1916; 2
Sam Langford(3); 1916-1917; 13
Bill Tate; 1917-1917; 0
Sam Langford(4); 1917-1918; 5
Harry Wills(2); 1918-1926; 28
George Godfrey; 1926-1928; 4
Larry Gains; 1928-1930; 0
George Godfrey(2); 1930-1933; 5
Obie Walker; 1933-1935; 0
Larry Gains(2); 1935; 0

:bowdown

[frankenfrank]

Not sure if this is any use to anyone but I used Hhascup's lineage plus Senya's correction to produce an easy to read breakdown. I'm not sure how accurate it is either but if anyone has any corrections i'm sure they'll let me know :good


Name; Reign; Defences
Charles C Smith; 1876-1881; 0
Prof Charles Hadley; 1881-1883; 3
George Godfrey; 1883-1888; 2
Peter Jackson; 1888-1896; 0
Bob Armstrong; 1896-1898; 1
Frank Childs; 1898-1898; 2
George Byers; 1898-1901; 1
Frank Childs(2); 1901-1902; 0
Denver Ed Martin; 1902-1903; 4
Jack Johnson; 1903-1909; 19
Sam McVea; 1909-1909; 1
Joe Jeannette; 1909-1909; 0
Sam Langford; 1909-1911; 10
Sam McVea(2); 1911-1912; 0
Sam Langford(2); 1912-1915; 21
Joe Jeannette(2); 1915-1915; 1
Sam McVea(3); 1915-1915; 0
Harry Wills; 1915-1916; 2
Sam Langford(3); 1916-1917; 13
Bill Tate; 1917-1917; 0
Sam Langford(4); 1917-1918; 5
Harry Wills(2); 1918-1926; 28
George Godfrey; 1926-1928; 4
Larry Gains; 1928-1930; 0
George Godfrey(2); 1930-1933; 5
Obie Walker; 1933-1935; 0
Larry Gains(2); 1935; 0
Senya found a mistake in a hhascup post ?

[lufcrazy]

Senya found a mistake in a hhascup post ?

Yeah, 2 really.

first was one fight that henry had forgottne to mention.

second was the revelation that a fight henry claimed to be a title fight was atcually a no decision fight.

[frankenfrank]

Yeah, 2 really.

first was one fight that henry had forgottne to mention.

second was the revelation that a fight henry claimed to be a title fight was atcually a no decision fight.

being ruled a ND doesn't stop it from being a title fight even if d title didn't swap parties . But it is still impressing .

[lufcrazy]

being ruled a ND doesn't stop it from being a title fight even if d title didn't swap parties . But it is still impressing .

No, it was a title fight whereby wills had to knock him out to take the title since it was a no decision fight.

Wills didn't knock him out therefore langford successfully defended his coloured championship.

[frankenfrank]

No, it was a title fight whereby wills had to knock him out to take the title since it was a no decision fight.

Wills didn't knock him out therefore langford successfully defended his coloured championship.

so u mean that hhascup mistook it as a stoppage while it was a ND and there4 d title did not switch parties in that said fight ?

[lufcrazy]

so u mean that hhascup mistook it as a stoppage while it was a ND and there4 d title did not switch parties in that said fight ?

No, for some reason henry mistook it as an official decision victory for wills therefore thinking the title switched hands. In reality, because it was no decision, the title stayed with langford.

[frankenfrank]

No, for some reason henry mistook it as an official decision victory for wills therefore thinking the title switched hands. In reality, because it was no decision, the title stayed with langford.

then maybe he had his reasons 2 consider it as such and it was no mistake ?

[lufcrazy]

then maybe he had his reasons 2 consider it as such and it was no mistake ?

I think he was going by the ring record book but senya proved it was actually a nd fight.

It's all on this thread. Page 2 if you have it on the maximum posts per page.

[frankenfrank]

I think he was going by the ring record book but senya proved it was actually a nd fight.

It's all on this thread. Page 2 if you have it on the maximum posts per page.

ok , not that i was ever interested in d lineage of any title as lineages r also effected by duckings , cheats and d overall corruption that probably always existed and no1 (except from myself of course) was ever interested at solving . what caught my attention here was d possibility of a mistake by hhascup .

[Senya13]

As has been said, it was a mistake supported by "many including Luckett Davis, the Ring Record Book and others", not just by Henry. That's why it is good to have several next-day reports of the fight.

[lufcrazy]

As has been said, it was a mistake supported by "many including Luckett Davis, the Ring Record Book and others", not just by Henry. That's why it is good to have several next-day reports of the fight.

:good

[Totus]

Great thread !:good

[TBooze]

Here is a list and years reigned from Barry J. Hugman of the World Heavyweight Champions 1889-1937:

[Only registered and activated users can see links]

[ted_93704]

Johnson never agreed to fight Langford after he won the title. Langford challenged him but Johnson never agreed to it and so his showing up was not a matter of fear but a matter of never agreeing to the fight anyway. Johnson already defeated Langford. The colored heavyweight title never really meant much anyway. Its sad a lot of black fighters never got a shot. There were a plethora of talented negro fighters at that time!