Ken Burns Tries to KO Boxing Conspiracy

The Saga of one of the most colorful and controversial champions ever to grace the ring will be brought to the forefront of the boxing community when  “Unforgivable Blackness” airs January 17 on PBS as part of a  Ken Burns documentary depicting the life and times of Jack Johnson.Johnson held the heavyweight title from 1908 until 1915 after beating a bloodied Tommy Burns (1881-1955) on Christmas Day to become the first black heavyweight champion.

Burns had avoided Johnson throughout his career that covered 43 wins (34 KO’s) 6 losses, 8 draws for fear of boycotts and racial threats. Fans demanded Burns defend the title against Johnson.

Johnson later KO’d the first of many so-called “great white hopes” when he beat Jim Jeffries in a bout fought on July 4 in Los Vegas in 1910 in front of 16,528 fans.

 Jeffries was coaxed out of retirement in hopes of taking the title from Johnson. Jeffries reportedly had to loose over 100 pounds for the fight which was scheduled for 45 rounds. Jeffries corner stopped the bout in the 15th round

Johnson (37) finally lost the title to Jess Willard (1881-1968) on April 5th 1915 when he supposedly allowed himself to be knocked out in the 16th round in a bout held in Havana Cuba.

Before ending his career in 1938 after 47 years in the sport, Johnson lost to a Walter Price, a virtual unknown by way of a seventh round knockout. Johnson won 91 fights (52 K0’s) 14 losses 12 draws.

Johnson epitomized, “the African-American struggle to be truly free in this country — economically, socially and politically,” said Burns.

“He absolutely refused to play by the rules set by the white establishment or even those of the black community,” Burns said. “In that sense, he fought for freedom not just as a black man, but as an individual.”

Johnson was born in Galveston, Texas on March 31, 1878.  He literally fought for everything he had before dropping out of school in the fifth grade. Johnson was forced to take any job that came his way in order to make a living for him and his six brothers and sisters

Johnson became a professional boxer in 1897 after fighting in “Battles Royal” where he sparred against Joe “the Barbados Demon” Walcott (1873-1935) and Joe Choyinski. (1868-1943).

Battles Royal bouts featured black boxers entertaining white spectators who threw money into the ring for the winner. Because boxing was illegal in Texas, Johnson was later arrested and forced to leave the state if he was to continue his career.

Johnson recorded a third round knockout against Choyinski (51 wins 29 KO’s, 17 losses, 7 draws) on February 25, 1901 in their only meeting.  He never officially fought Walcott.

Both fighters were jailed immediately after the fight because of prizefighting illegally according to a Marion Star reporter who covered the fight.

“Just as the negro went to the floor, a state ranger stepped into the ring and arrested the fighters.”  Choynski and Johnson were both jailed after the fight and were not released until they both posted a $1000 bond on March 22.

Johnson’s January marriage to Etta Terry Duryea came to a tragic ending in just eight short months in 1911 when she committed suicide, succumbing to the pressures of a white woman married to a black man which violated legal precedence at the time.

On December 10, 1912 Johnson married another white woman, Lucille Cameron, who worked as a secretary for Johnson at Café de Champion, a nightclub he had opened after successfully defending his title against Jim Flynn.

Johnson divorced Cameron late in 1924 and married another white woman, Irene Pineau, in 1926.

The beginning of the end came in 1913 when Johnson was arrested on charges of violating the Mann Act which outlawed the transportation of women in interstate foreign commerce “for the purpose of prostitution, debauchery, or for any other immoral purpose.”  

Just like in life, Johnson’s love for the fast lane eventually caught up with the former heavyweight champion.  He died as a result of an automobile wreck near Raleigh, North Carolina on June 10, 1946. Johnson was 68-years old.

Johnson was elected as a charter member of the Boxing Hall of Fame in 1954 and to the International Hall of Fame in 1990.