Embracing the African American heritage, culture, strength, and their indomitable spirit 365 days a year
December, 1810
Born into slavery at a tobacco plantation farm, Tom Molineaux emerged with his freedom through boxing. His bare-knuckle fight with English champion Thomas Cribb is regarded as one of the most important in history. Although Molineaux lost twice (two close bouts) to Thomas Cribb, he was able to earned his freedom by fighting the champion.
27 June 1890
Canadian George Dixon became the first Black fighter ever to capture a world title by beating Nunc Wallace in London; bypassing American segregation laws. ‘Little Chocolate’ as he was often called because of his stature, was a 19th century catalyst for future generations of Black boxers.
18 December 1901
In Buffalo, New York, ‘Barbados’ Joe Walcott was the first Black fighter to claim a world championship (welterweight) in the 20th century, by knocking out Jim Ferns. Walcott won easily with a fifth-round knockout. He retained his title until 1904, when he lost on a foul in the twentieth round to the Dixie Kid in the first world title match between two Blacks.
12 May 1902
Joe Gans became the first ever native-born Black American world title holder after stopping Frank Erne in one round. After 11 years of fighting, Gans won the world lightweight title by knocking out Frank Erne in one round at Fort Erie, Ontario. ‘The Old Master’ was also the first American-born Black man to hold a world championship in any sport.
08 December 1903
Black Canadian Sam Langford defeated World Lightweight Champion Joe Gans, via a 15-round decision. Gans' title was not on the line, however. The two would later become good friends. Langford considered Gans the pound-for-pound greatest fighter of all time. Langford is often credited as the greatest fighter to never challenge for a world title.
04 April 1904
The first world title match between two Black boxers. Walcott defended his title against Black contender Dixie Kid. He was winning the fight handily when the referee disqualified Walcott for no apparent reason in the final seconds of the 20th round. In the one-sided contest, Walcott appeared to have a clear advantage in all but the seventh round. Many in the crowd were shocked with the decision, and Walcott himself was immediately angered at referee Sullivan, who made the call.
26 December 1908
Jack Johnson made history by becoming boxing’s first ever Black American world heavyweight champion, stopping Tommy Burns in Australia. The fight lasted fourteen rounds before being stopped by the police in front of over 20,000 spectators, and Johnson was named the winner. After Johnson's victory over Burns, racial animosity among Whites that they called for a "Great White Hope" to take the title away from Johnson.
04 July 1910
Reigning heavyweight king Jack Johnson defeats America’s ‘Great White Hope’ James J. Jeffries in ‘The Fight of the Century’. Former undefeated heavyweight champion James J. Jeffries came out of retirement to challenge Johnson, saying "I am going into this fight for the sole purpose of proving that a White man is better than a Negro." Jeffries had been knocked down twice for the first time in his career.
22 June 1937
Joe Louis became the first Black world heavyweight champion since Jack Johnson, knocking James J. Braddock.. ‘The Brown Bomber’s’ triumph was a groundbreaking moment in Black history, with thousands staying up all night throughout the country in celebration. Each time Joe Louis won a fight, thousands of Black Americans although poor, would throng out into the streets all across the land to march and cheer and yell and cry because of Joe's one-man triumphs.
22 June 1938
Joe Louis became widely regarded as the first Black man to achieve national hero status. His monumental first-round knockout win over Max Schmeling saw him stand as a symbol in the battle against Nazi Germany. The fight lasted two minutes and four seconds. Louis and Schmeling met for the second time in the boxing ring. The fight was held in Yankee Stadium before a crowd of 70,043. It was broadcast by radio to millions of listeners throughout the world.
17 August 1938
Henry Armstrong became the first fighter, Black or White, to hold world titles in three weight classes simultaneously. He was the featherweight, lightweight, and welterweight champion. First, he knocked out featherweight champion Petey Sarron in the sixth round on Oct. 29, 1937. Next he beat welterweight champion Barney Ross for his crown on May 31, 1938. Three months later he took Lou Ambers' lightweight crown on a split decision to make history.
20 December 1946
Sugar Ray Robinson stood up to the mob that controlled the sport, refusing to be dictated by their terms and eventually winning the welterweight crown with a win over Tommy Bell. Robinson won the title by unanimous 15 round decision. Having waited five years, Robinson finally got a shot at the title, which had been vacated by Marty Servo in September. The fight was called a "war", but Robinson was able to pull out the close fight winning the World Welterweight title.
22 June 1949
For the first time in boxing history, the lineal world heavyweight championship passed from one Black fighter to another. Ezzard Charles won the vacant National Boxing Association Heavyweight title, after Joe Louis had retired from the ring the first time. Charles outpointed Jersey Joe Walcott over 15 rounds on June 22, 1949. The following year former World Heavyweight Champion Joe Louis came out of retirement. On September 27th, 1950 Charles outpointed his idol to become the recognized Lineal Champion.
1952
Joe Louis became the first Black American to play in a PGA-sanctioned tournament at the San Diego Open. Louis's celebrity status eventually pushed the PGA toward removing the bylaw, although the "Caucasian only" clause was not amended until November 1961. The change, however, paved the way for the first generation of Black professional golfers.
30 November 1956
Floyd Patterson was 21 years old when he made history. Patterson (then 30-1) became the youngest world heavyweight champion, at the time, by knocking out legendary Archie Moore (then 160-20-8).He was also the first Olympic gold medalist to win a heavyweight title. Though Patterson was the underdog, he was the one dominating. Moore was unable to match Patterson’s speed and constant movement. The match in itself was a fairly one-sided affair as Patterson defeated Moore by a knockout in five rounds.
20 June 1960
Floyd Patterson becomes first man to regain the world heavyweight boxing title when he KOs Ingemar Johansson of Goteborg, Sweden, with a left hook in the 5th round. Johansson was completely out, and he remained out for several minutes after his handlers had helped him to his corner. Patterson was clearly the master of the man who sent him to a humiliating defeat and deprived him of his title last June 26th. Patterson defended the title twice before losing by KO in the first to Sonny Liston.
25 February 1634
In Miami Beach, Florida. Cassius Clay, who was a 8–1 underdog, won in a major upset, when Sonny Liston gave up at the opening of the seventh round. Liston was the most intimidating fighter of his day. At the time of the fight, considered to be among the best heavyweights of all time. On the other hand, Clay was a glib, fast-talking 22-year-old challenger who enjoyed the spotlight.
28 April 1967
Ali appeared in Houston for his scheduled induction into the U.S. Armed Forces, but he refused three times to step forward when his name was called. Ali remained unable to obtain a license to box in any state. For over three year Muhammad Ali was banned from boxing after his military draft refusal, due to his opposition to the Vietnam War
08 March 1971
Until then, no sporting event has ever had the kind of popular culture significance and iconic impact that the first fight between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier had. In the "Fight of the Century" at Madison Square Garden, Frazier landed a left hook in the 15th round that sent Ali careening to the canvas, for the first time. The unbeaten Frazier won a unanimous decision as he handed Ali his first defeat of his pro career.
22 January 1973
The fight, dubbed the "Sunshine Showdown", took place at National Stadium in Kingston, Jamaica. It was for the WBC and WBA Heavyweight Title, Joe Frazier vs George Foreman. Frazier was 29–0 and had won 10 consecutive heavyweight title fights at the time of his match with the number one-ranked George Foreman. The fight lasted only two rounds, with Foreman scoring a technical knockout at 1:35 of the second round to dethrone Frazier and become the new undisputed heavyweight champion.