'Johnson won in every department of the game and at every stage of the fight. World’s First Black Champion” – the article went on to report that The Sydney Morning Herald headline on Monday 28 December, 1908 was succinct: “ Johnson Wins. “Boxing in Australia : fighting for equality”, The National Library of Australia Magazine, September 2015. 'The bout turned the world on it's head it was one of the most important moments in history when African-American Jack Johnson, the son of former slaves, battered the white Canadian Tommy Burns for the world heavyweight title, then the most cherished prize in the sporting world.' Kieza, Grantlee. In what proved to be a one-sided fight, Jack Johnson was declared the winner in the 14 th round of the fight, becoming the first African-American to win the world heavyweight boxing title. The fight captivated the world - it was the first time that a black fighter had fought for the prestigious title. On 26 December 1908, an open-air structure of timber and iron in Rushcutters Bay, Sydney, was host to what was, at the time the largest sporting event in Australia’s history: the fight for the boxing World Heavyweight Title, between Canadian Tommy Burns, then Heavyweight Champion of the World, and challenger for the title, African-American Jack Johnson. World Heavyweight Championship title fight
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |