Jack Johnson Becomes First Black Heavyweight Champion, Triggering White Riots

Jack Johnson became the first Black heavyweight boxing champion on December 26, 1908. When he defeated 'Great White Hope' Jim Jeffries on July 4, 1910, white riots broke out in over 25 cities, killing at least 20 Black Americans. Congress passed legislation banning the interstate transport of boxing fight films specifically to prevent Black Americans from seeing Johnson defeat white opponents.