The artist who captured the historic meeting of Jack Johnson and Arthur Craven in 1916 is unknown. The poster is translated as follows: PLAZA OF THE MONUMENTAL BULLS SUNDAY, APRIL 23, 1916 3:00PM
GREAT FESTIVAL OF BOXING In which you will find 6 interesting contenders in which notables, 6
JACK JOHNSON = ARTHUR CRAVAN
Ending this spectacular with the sensational encounter of the champion of the world.
JACK JOHNSON Black-110 Kilos And the European Champion
ARTHUR CRAVAN White-105 Kilos
In this match there will be a prize of 50,000 pesetas for the winner.
See program.
Not only does Jack Johnson rate among the most significant ring personalities of the modern era, but also among the most fascinating. Jack Johnson was the first African American to win the world heavy weight title.
The son of a janitor, Johnson was born in Galveston, Texas, on March 31, 1878. At age 12, and facing little more than the hard life of the Galveston docks, Johnson ran away from home. He was hardly an instant success and before he established himself, there were many homeless nights and empty pockets, and enough injustice to create a hard, bitter man.
The greatest fights of Johnson's career came before he won the world title. His chief rivals were a trio of Black fighters who, had they fought in any era but their own, would surely have been world champions. Johnson won what was called the Black heavyweight title in February 1903.
John L. Sullivan, the first modern-era heavyweight champion, refused to defend against Black contenders, and his successors followed the tradition. Nevertheless, after Tommy Burns dethroned Marvin Hart, Johnson's manager campaigned for a try at the heavyweight title and it became popular belief that Burns was avoiding a fight with Johnson.
Burns finally agreed to face Johnson. Johnson combined speed, strength, and punching power as no heavyweight ever had and Burns was badly outclassed. In round 14 the fight was stopped. Boxing had its first Black heavyweight champion.
A prominent New York sportscaster called for the former champion James Jeffries to "remove that golden smile from Jack Johnson's face." That sentiment would grow during Johnson's reign and after each of his victories, there would be inner city race riots and lynching of blacks.
On July 4, 1910, Johnson fought Jeffries, who had become "The Great White Hope." Johnson won a 15th round victory.
In 1911, Johnson married his second wife who committed suicide one year later. In 1913, he was convicted of violating the Mann Act for having transported Belle Schrieber, who was white, from Pittsburgh to Chicago "for immoral purposes." He was sentenced to one year in prison, but jumped bail and traveled to Europe.
Johnson, 37, eventually agreed to defend against yet another White Hope, Jess Willard, in Havana, Cuba, on April 5, 1915. The fight promoter had baited the champion by hinting that federal authorities might provide a pardon, especially if Johnson were to return to the States without the title.
In the 26th round, Johnson was counted out. Whether Johnson threw the fight or not will remain a topic of debate for the ages. The promoter had not secured a deal, and after Johnson returned to the U.S. mainland in July 1920, he was taken to Leavenworth Penitentiary in Kansas where he served nine months. The Johnson vs. Craven fight took place in Europe during this period. Although he was despised by White America, he was adored in Europe. He returned to the ring and fought his last pro fight at age 50. Johnson died at age 68 in a car accident.
The movie "The Great White Hope" was based on Jack Johnson's life story.
