James Jeffries vs Jack Johnson and the ‘banned’ boxing film that sparked racial outrage

James Jeffries vs Jack Johnson and the ‘banned’ boxing film that sparked racial outrage

James Jeffries vs Jack Johnson Controversy (Image Courtesy: Britannica)

The illustrious Jack Johnson became the first-ever black boxing world champion in 1908. The match between Tommy Burns, a Canadian boxer, and the heavyweight champion in contention took place in Sydney, Australia.

Back then, prizefighting or boxing was primarily a white man’s sport where white supremacy predominated. Black boxers were viewed as being unworthy of title fights. But Jack Johnson was the one who stood up to the entire world and fought for the chance to compete for the title. Burns was outmatched in the fight, and Johnson emerged victorious. Motion picture cameras captured the entire fight, and copies of it were broadcast all over the world.

White men who felt Johnson’s holding the heavyweight championship was simply unacceptable started a campaign to remove him from the position. In the end, it was former champion James Jeffries who accepted the challenge and was dubbed “The White Hope” who would overthrow Johnson. When the fight was announced, it was seen as a racial superiority contest.

On July 4th, 1910, the fight took place in Reno, Nevada, in a huge stadium with numerous motion cameras to record the entire fight. People gather in large numbers across the US to watch Jeffries defeat Johnson and reclaim the title, but the truth was quite different. Johnson knocked down Jeffries twice in the 15th round to retain his heavyweight championship. The outcome led to violent racial unrest across America, which was actually committed by white mobs against the African American populace. It got so bad that there were several fatalities, and it was decided right away to forbid the distribution of the Jeffries vs. Johnson fight movie.

Related: “Was the greatest,” When Muhammad Ali named Jack Johnson as his greatest boxer of all time for standing up against white supremacists

Muhammad Ali got inspiration from Jack Johnson

Jack Johnson inspired Muhammad Ali
Jack Johnson inspired Muhammad Ali (Image Courtesy: NPR)

Even though people tried to ban the film of Jack Johnson beating James Jeffries, his legacy continued to get attention for years. It inspired millions of black individuals to fight for their rights and he became a hero for them.

Similarly, one of them was the ‘Greatest’ Muhammad Ali who hailed Jackson for his achievements during white supremacy. He said: “Jack Johnson was a big inspiration because of what he did outside of the ring. He was so bold. Jack Johnson was a black man back when white people lynched negroes on weekends. He was bad. Back in 1909, man. Jack Johnson was the greatest, he had to be the greatest of all. I know I’m bad but he was crazy.” 

Like his idol, Muhammad Ali was also revolutionary and always stood for his ideas and never backed out. He himself became a hero for the generation after him. 

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