US president, Donald Trump, has pardoned black boxing champion Jack Johnson. He did this on Thursday, posthumously nullifying his conviction by an all-white jury for an interracial relationship more than 100 years ago
Johnson remains a legendary figure in boxing. His rise and controversial prison sentence had made him a symbol of racial injustice. He was born in Galveston, Texas, in 1878, the son of former slaves. From an early age he showed a knack for boxing, often competing in — and winning — underground prizefighting matches across the country.
He finally made it to mainstream boxing but he was often jeered by white spectators during fights with white challengers. Many of these spectators hurled racial slurs and death threats at Johnson. However, the taunts could not faze Johnson as he often delighted in humiliating his opponents in the ring.
There had always been a quest for "the great white hope" who would eventually defeat Johnson. In 1908, the 30-year-old boxer became the first black boxer to win the world heavyweight title by defeating the Australian Tommy Burns, the reigning champion.
In 1910 he fought Jim Jeffries, a white boxer who held the heavyweight title before Burns. It was this fight that arguably sealed Johnson's legacy as a Boxing champion. It was dubbed the "Fight of the Century," with more than 22,000 spectators turning out for the contest in Reno, Nevada. Johnson defeated Jeffries in the 15th round.
"He overcame these difficult circumstances to reach the heights of boxing and the boxing world and inspired generations with his tenacity and independent spirit. I believe that Jack Johnson is a very worthy person to receive a full pardon, and in this case, a posthumous pardon, so I am taking this very righteous step, I believe, to correct a wrong that occurred in our history and to honor a truly legendary boxing champion."
