Jack Johnson, Americanaidd Bocsio Pioneer

Jack Johnson wastad wedi bod yn bwnc anodd i mi. Yr wyf yn edmygu ei ddewrder a'i gryfder yn wynebu casineb a rhagfarn mewn amser wrth wneud hynny yn rhoi ei fywyd mewn perygl. Gwrthododd i gydymffurfio a derbyn sefyllfa o israddoldeb i Americanwyr gwyn.

Yet, fel llawer o fodau dynol ei fod yn ddyn ddiffygiol. He beat his first wife and may have driven her to suicide. After years of fighting bigotry himself, he refused to defend the title against worthy black challengers like Sam McVey and Sam Langford.

John Arthur “Jack” Johnson was born on March 31, 1878. He was a large child but did not really like fighting. Later, he would become arguably a Top 5 heavyweight of all time. His inclusion into the Top 10 is without question.

“Jack” Johnson knocked out most of his early opponents until being knocked out by Joe Choynski in 1903. Choynski was so impressed with Johnson that he neglected his own career to teach Johnson his defensive skills to go with Johnson’s devastating power.

Johnson won the World Colored Heavyweight Championship. He defended against Sam McVey and Sam Langford, two of the best heavyweights of their day. Johnson beat Langford the only time they fought by decision. He decided once was enough and avoided Langford there after.

Yn olaf,, he secured a title shot with Tommy Burns on Boxing Day, Rhagfyr 26, 1908. Johnson destroyed the smaller, less talented Burns If Johnson was irritated with an opponent, he would get the man close to being KO’d, then hold on to him so he could recover. The beating would continue with Johnson mocking him the whole time. Burns made Johnson wait for the title shot, so he paid the price. The Australian police stopped the fight in the fourteenth round. Johnson was the World Heavyweight Boxing Champion.

Yn 1910, he would fight in the first “Fight of the Century” but first he would dispatch four contenders, the last which was Middleweight King, Stanley Ketchel. Johnson and Ketchel agreed to box in what was basically an exhibition. After the fight was completed, they would both be awarded a draw. Ketchel decided to try and double cross the champ. I will let you see for yourself what happened to him.

You can leave a comment or ask a question about this or any post on my Tudalen Facebook a Twitter Proffil.

 

Pin It