100 Years Ago. Boxing Day, 1908. "A Large Black Cat Played With A Small White Mouse."

[bradlee180]

Johnson became champ in 1908, but in early 1901, 32 year old veteran Joe Choynski, who had already fought the best of the era by then, knocked out a green 22 year old Jack Johnson in 3 rds.
At the time of the fight, Johnson is credited with having less than 10 pro fights though his early record is incomplete as Boxing was illegal. In contrast, Choynski had over 60 professional fights including bouts with Jim Jeffries, Jim Corbett, Bob Fitzsimmons, Tom Sharkey, Kid McCoy, George Godfrey, Peter Maher, the original Joe Walcott,...

Choynski was too big a step-up in class for the developing Johnson, and after the bout, both fighters were jailed for a month for participating in an illegal prizefight.



^ Over the course of that month in 1901, the experienced veteran Joe Choynski imparted his boxing knowledge to the young Jack Johnson.


Jack Johnson vs Fireman Jim Flynn 1912




"Jack Johnson is a Dandy." Autobiography.





http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OrVyrSimXYs



The jagged life this man led and the fact that he was never assassinated boggles the mind.
Mob lynchings of black people was prevalent, and there are many horrific photographs from that era of exactly that. Race riots broke out across America when Johnson beat Jim Jeffries and people were killed over it. The way this guy was living his life in 1908 and beyond is as Muhammad Ali said of Johnson, "Crazy!!!"
Scandal. Jack and all his ladies. White ladies. Fast sportscars. The night life. Jack sold his night club and it was later renamed "The Cotton Club." The jet set before there were jets.



...and of course, my favorite line about Jack Johnson.
In 1946, 68 year old Jack Johnson was driving to the Billy Conn/ Joe Louis rematch.
Driving fast and angry over being refused service at a roadside diner, Johnson lost control of his car, had a collision, and died from his injuries.
John Larder's famous line:

"Jack Johnson died crossing the white line for the last time." - John Lardner

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