The boxing film that was banned around the world

In 1910, boxing heavyweight champion Jack Johnson defeated Jim Jeffries in the "Battle of the Century," and the nation erupted.
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On December 26, 1908, American boxer Jack Johnson became the first Black heavyweight champion of the world, after defeating defending champion Tommy Burns in a title fight in Sydney, Australia. Black fighters were typically denied the chance to win the heavyweight title, a de-facto line of segregation that was known as “the color line.” So when Burns accepted Johnson’s challenge and lost, the film that was distributed around the fight proved controversial.
The white boxing world set out to find a white heavyweight to beat Johnson and take back the title. That white fighter ended up being James Jeffries, a former heavyweight champion who had retired undefeated.
Their fight, hyped as the “Battle of the Century,” took place in Reno, Nevada, on July 4, 1910, in front of 20,000 mostly-white spectators and nine motion picture cameras. Throughout the nation, many thousands more listened to live telegram bulletins of each round. Johnson beat Jeffries easily, and, as a result, racist mob violence broke out across the country, and Black Americans celebrating Johnson’s win were attacked, and some were killed.
The film of the fight became notorious worldwide and was the most talked-about motion picture of its time. Johnson lost the heavyweight title in 1915 after successfully defending it eight times, but remained an inspiration for many fighters to come.
Further reading:
Fight Pictures: A History of Boxing and Early Cinema, by Dan Streible
www.ucpress.edu/book/97805202...
Prizefighting and the Birth of Movie Censorship, by Barak Orbach
digitalcommons.law.yale.edu/y...
Jack Johnson, Rebel Sojourner: Boxing in the Shadow of the Global Color Line, by Theresa Runstedtler
www.ucpress.edu/book/97805202...
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[@grahamchapman889]

"I’m black… They never let me forget it. I’m black alright… I’ll never let them forget it." It's a shame Jack Johnson has been so forgotten

[@discerningmortal6751]

Exactly, he's a legend, Black, white, it all means nothing, we can be legends in our own ways, race should never stop you

[@whayes8084]

Sylvester Stallone is about to come out with a movie. He’ll blow up big time.

[@darell8310]

Black people only care about their culture when it benefits themselves

[@Scout555]

@@darell8310 You’re so White, the Deflection is blinding Truth.

[@guy6074]

Surprised I haven’t heard of him in school, badass asf putting yourself center of stage in the era of Jim Crow and not backing down to anybody

[@dheiyomain6775]

Black man: Wins Rascists: you ain't suppose to do that

[@fhupz4503]

omg mrbeast just commmminted on my last vid

[@Dark-dc4df]

Insert donald trump meme- You weren't supposed to do that

[@Fantastic_Stranger]

@life in 180% Yeah of course but if you come back to the US the love you’ll get is gonna outweigh the racism you experienced in that country. I get your point though.

[@beyourself7428]

​@life in 180% No you will absolutely not. Read, or watch, a bit of historical materials, and you'll find that white always had supremacy and discriminated colored people in early 1900s, be it in Somalia or China. Back then Somalia was a British Colony; In China by then Hong Kong, Macau, Central Shanghai, etc. were already colonies of white, western countries It was right at 1910 the Chin-Woo Athletic Association was established, for the precise reason of "strengthening the physical shape of Chinese population, to challenge the dominance of foreign (white) people in sports and martial arts". The Chin-Woo leader Yuanjia taught martial art to Chen Zhen, who taught Ip Man, who taught Bruce Lee. Fascinating, right?

[@beyourself7428]

@@Fantastic_Stranger Only that he would not. He would "enjoy" much greater privileges in Somalia and China than in US.

[@amsf1]

Jack Johnson was the man. Everything he had to endure during that era and he was unapologetic. His spirit must live on

[@DA-gn2my]

On top of that he was a very intelligent man and very well read, he read Shakespeare

[@Salomessanctuary]

@@DA-gn2my and probably the first Black racing driver, an inventor.......Magnificent man Jack Johnson.

[@caranhaes6496]

Gigachad Jack

[@tusharrrathod]

Novak Djokovic is the Jack Johnson of this era

[@brianhom5672]

Very surprised they haven’t made a major movie about him yet. He’s a larger than life figure and looked the part.

[@wanbelstap168]

Way ahead of his time..this mans movie and story needs to be told..Rest in peace Champ

[@berroanacklin4713]

Tell the guy who directed black Panter movie to direct a Johnson movie

[@wanbelstap168]

@@berroanacklin4713 a great idea!

[@younghannibal7434]

They made a movie about him. It call the great white hope

[@Wallyworld30]

PBS Made an incredible Documentary on Jack Johnson in 2005. You should check it out it's fantastic!!

[@bhbluebird]

A movie came out in 1970 and he was played by the great James Earl Jones who was nominated for an Academy Award.

[@mguanipa2]

They beat the black man if he loses. They beat the black man if he wins. The past generations went through so much that I can't possibly fathom having to live through it

[@swanay1]

times haven't changed at all, it's just that the aggression has become passive and small, but even deadlier.

[@WellOilBeefHooked]

Yes. The history of humans is very brutal. Since humans began, until now, there is great suffering all over the planet and it is humans which cause the suffering to humans.

[@Prophes0r]

@@swanay1 Smaller? Maybe individual actions. But a pound of bricks weighs the same as a pound of sand. Passive? If you mean built into the systems. Sure. But WE have the power to change those systems. Deadlier? Not even a little. (If it IS deadlier. Please point me to the statistics. I actually want to know)

[@osamaalhour7000]

@@swanay1 ??? What

[@LyndseyMacPherson]

And Black Americans are still living through it, covertly.

[@impatrickt]

How on earth has Hollywood not turned this story into a movie yet?

[@charleslorvo7633]

because its a good idea thats why

[@MozzieMutant]

I believe a limited series is in the work

[@marcusjohnson6412]

Same reason they didn’t want everyone seeing the Johnson- Jefferies fight.

[@2KOOLURATOOLGaming]

I'm convinced that Disney and other studios have basements filled with people who have to research stories for 'true story' films XD

[@MrIcenice44]

Same reason ☺️

[@giftyagyekum1242]

Underrated boxer, i never heard about him until now, i think they should make a new movie about him.

[@YAHSCHILD82]

It was Joe Gans 1st he fought 42 rounds, Then it Was Jack Johnson! Yeaaaaaaaa💯🙌🏾💪🏾✊🏾👏🏾🤙🏾😉❤

[@nettewilson853]

They have

[@matthewjames6076]

i heard about him growing up and this was never banned lol anyways yeah they making a movie about him i seen many docs about him

[@justinwilson8308]

They did. The Great White Hope starring James Earl Jones

[@Ralph-ny1ey]

Never heard of him? What do you know about boxing?

[@derekblackwell2601]

Didn’t ever hear about him. Glad to hear about him. Interesting story.

[@covakoma1064]

Did you hear about Palestine? Same thing in 2021....

[@Huddy52]

@@covakoma1064 a boxing match?

[@miketerry581]

@@covakoma1064 a town in Illinois, LOL. Just lightening the co conversation. .

[@fakephoenixprince]

"Remember back in the days when people weren't so sensitive..." 😐😐😐

[@ZiaRDS]

"They would just set people on fire if they used the wrong water fountain. Ah, the good old days." 😒

[@jamestatum5759]

Why no,.............no I don’t.

[@lawtraf8008]

wdym ?

[@jamestatum5759]

@ChillyMcPhilly Sarcasm! It doesn’t transfer well. But I do appreciate your womexplaining for me. Heheh

[@rocblack5241]

@@jamestatum5759 bruh he wasn’t even replying to u goofy

[@citizendame9098]

The dramatical movie "The Great White Hope" James Earl Jones as Johnson....one of the most excellent docu-dramas I've ever seen.

[@400cabal]

Thanks for the recommendation!

[@artv232]

I haven’t seen that one but Unforgivable Blackness by Ken Burns documentary is on my top 5 movies of all time. It’s a documentary... but it’s really that good.

[@hiegstar]

I’ll have to add this one to my watch list.

[@rockyn3193]

I didn't know there was a movie! I'm gonna watch it now

[@bespinoza66]

Where?

[@qalinle1231]

Dave chapelle taught me alot of things through his comedy . I didn't know about this great boxer thanks to Dave

[@RuleFinlandia]

Johnson was a cool guy. I remember reading about him and his love for fast cars. He was stopped by a cop and was fined 50 dollars. He slips the cop 100 dollars and tells him "I will be coming with the same speed on the way back" Cool cat!

[@stuartperry1047]

He was a Renaissance man. He invented a hydraulic lift and a wrench for working on automobiles. He played the bass fiddle. He fought bulls in Mexico. He raced cars against professional race car drivers. He raced against the great Barney Oldfield. That's like Ali racing against Richard Petty. Absolutely amazing.

[@DOBBYau]

Jack Johnson's fight was also witnessed by hundreds of Aboriginal people in Sydney, Australia, and Johnson met with the founders of the Australian Aboriginal Progressive Association the night before the fight.

[@seaglass8084]

I wondered about this. Thank you for filling in some of the blanks on Auz history. Respect to aboriginal solidarity ✊🏾

[@13strong]

That's awesome. That must have been incredible for the local Aboriginal people to see.

[@pepesylvia848]

@@13strong Yeah, must have been cool. Even if the average abo is only 5foot 5 today, meaning they surely would never compete in he heavyweight division back then.

[@pravindeaswaran7830]

Thank you for adding this. The video (for obvious reasons) took an very American view to the first fight but it has to be remembered that Australia had only just recently implemented the 'White Australia Policy'. The racial impact of this fight probably had a significant impact here as well.

[@13strong]

@@pepesylvia848 As a rule, "abo" is not a respectful term for Aboriginal People. Also, there are plenty of Aboriginal Australian boxers. I met an Aboriginal boxer once and he gave me a tour of some of his ancestral cultural sites. Lovely guy.

[@varunnukala]

Black Heavyweight Champion: Wins with ease. White racists: Wait that's illegal...

[@hosuerodriguez8262]

The funny/horrible thing is if given the chance they could have made it illegal back then.

[@X2LR8]

Racists: Hey. Let's dredge something up from 111 years ago to stir up the racial pot!

[@Afro_Prepper]

@@X2LR8 Also racist: Hey let's bury, suppress or downplay any accomplishment that may give black people a positive self image.

[@tejasmisra9115]

@@X2LR8 First let us oppress them, then when they fight for their freedom and win, let us make sure to suppress and erase their history and struggle! Unfortunately for you, they will remember their history, their leaders and those that fought to free them, as we will all.

[@jakey1817]

@@pl2585 people in the comments did

[@victorevanssr.5034]

I'm always so proud of this man . Jack will always be the creator of swagger. No fighter can compare to Jack Johnson without him there is no them . Ali could never have done it

[@masterbulgokov]

Thank you for putting this piece together. It makes me sad. I wish we didn't have this as part of our past, and I wish there wasn't still elements of it in our present. Nevertheless, pieces like this help me remember where we've come from, and that we still have better places to go.

[@dall9329]

🙏🏿

[@kthevsamig4958]

Cry more

[@tiptoe38]

It’s the past get over it,Life is grand now.

[@Yumyum-yo6op]

@@tiptoe38 wrong

[@tonysmith4702]

Notice how certain people commented on your post. You need to talk to them...saltines salty about history where a black man wins...

[@ChaosDeary]

“The biggest battle of the century”. Well that aged poorly

[@yolomab]

twice

[@prodohsamuel]

@@yolomab what on earth is that name

[@nathanvijay6141]

@@yolomab bruh

[@idrinkgasoline72]

yup WWI and WWII and maybe this century WW III and WW IV

[@yolomab]

@@lovishgautam5363 ᓵ⍑╎ꖎ↸

[@dumisa7]

"I was a brunette in a blonde town, but gentlemen, I did not stop stepping." - Jack Johnson

[@u9629]

😂😂😂

[@jerrybandz9164]

Big stepper

[@naveedalirehmani4135]

I have never ever seen a video by vox that has failed to win my heart, Vox is officially my favorite KZbin channel

[@motfc8]

When I was about 10 yrs old in S.F. (carca 1972) my dad took me to a friend of his office (north beach), who had a copy (pre vhs, DVD). And I got to watch it. As we all see here, no one could match up to Johnson. I was already an Ali fan and saw many of the similarities. When we talk GOAT, Jack Johnson has to be in the conversation.

[@Thvndar]

My grandmother was the last person to see Jack Johnson alive, and my Great-grandfather was the doctor whom declared him dead. Unfortunately he died in the same manner he lived: persecuted for being defiant in the face of bigotry and segregation.

[@coolcat6341]

May he rest in peace,,, 🙏🙏

[@holy8782]

@@msw8966 Probably due to the fact that the reason that he was speeding was that he was angry after a diner refused to serve him.

[@holy8782]

@@msw8966 The thing is that I did look that up. Hence why I said it.

[@holy8782]

@@msw8966 Then you're obviously lying as I literally typed it in and multiple links are saying the exact same thing. So where exactly are you getting your information from

[@Thvndar]

@Judy Greer Nobody else could take on rick flair like that, don't even go there

[@whayes8084]

He knocked out Stanley Ketchel’s teeth and wiped them from his glove. Go look up the footage. One of the most told stories about his career.

[@PartnershipsForYou]

"After 12 rounds, Ketchel swung a surprise punch that knocked Johnson down. Regaining his feet, Jack Johnson knocked out Ketchel with a swift combination to Ketchel's head and jaw.Ketchel did not wake up for many minutes and some of his teeth were knocked out by the blow, some embedded in Johnson's glove." Knock-out.

[@johannlindstrom5948]

That was supposed to be a semi-exhibition and Stanley tried to go into business for himself.

[@lapalad]

Stanley was a light weight boxer

[@jnestor481]

Stanley Ketchel was a middleweight, to be fair

[@one56788]

@@jnestor481 but johnson was better still

[@kingace6186]

Respect to my black brother, Jack Johnson. May you rest in power! 100+ years later, the same struggle you fought is being fought today.

[@RoneyNgala]

This is deeply emotional, and I'm not even American.

[@montaser9985]

Fun fact: not only Americans have emotions.

[@havrisen6620]

Fun fact: Johnson never gave a black man a shot at the title. Johnson never gave a black woman the time of day after winning the title.

[@damientaylor1013]

@@havrisen6620 and?....

[@Huddy52]

@@havrisen6620 and?

[@havrisen6620]

Do you have a question?

[@megaman1806]

He probably got fed up with death threats and threw the last fight so he and his family could be left in peace.

[@jker1041]

And Don’t forget plenty of black peoples where killed just because he was champions

[@libefiken1863]

Or he just lost.

[@megaman1806]

@@libefiken1863 You could be right but what is more likely? He lost after an effortless winning streak or he was threatened in a time where people could not accept his success because of the colour of his skin and many failed attempts to beat him.

[@nexttime9377]

@@libefiken1863 no he didn't just loose. He was threatened with jail if he didn't loose.

[@megaman1806]

@@a.a.5980 WOW I knew something was up either way.

[@cem2163]

"I will defend my title against all comers, none barred. By this I mean white, black, Mexican, Indian, or any other nationality. I propose to be the champion of the world, not the white, or the Canadian, or the American. If I am not the best man in the heavyweight division, I don't want the title." - Tommy Burns

[@mahim199]

call him a overconfident man but boy did that statement open doors for a hopeful and equal future

[@joshual4513]

@@mahim199, I do not think he was overconfident at all. He just wanted to win deservingly and fairly. He did note that if he could not win against any other boxer regardless of race then he shouldn’t deserve the title.

[@mankytoes]

""Let me say of Mr. Burns, a Canadian and one of yourselves, that he has done what no one else ever did, he gave a black man a chance for the championship. He was beaten, but he was game." Jack Johnson. Burns was also only five foot seven!

[@Vamavid]

Gotta respect that.

[@MollyRari]

sus

[@makersmark1974]

1:22 Swear those shorts are back in fashion..

[@davidhall8049]

Another great clip from vox thank you

[@izzatihassan1475]

imagine your favorite athlete winning a big game offended the losing athlete's fans so bad that the congress had to step in. sour grapes level 1000.

[@28th_St_Air]

Then imagine the offended athlete’s fans attacking the capital to get their loser athlete reinstated as the champ. Oh wait. Wrong story.

[@28th_St_Air]

@hitler did noting worong what in the world would posses you to to choose a user name like the one that you have? I’m not expecting a coherent answer but I’m open to being surprised.

[@fxgamer4870]

@@28th_St_Air si what did Hitler did wrong?

[@28th_St_Air]

@@fxgamer4870 for starters, he spelled nothing as “noting” and wrong as “worong”. I’m guessing English is not their first language and their spell checker and capacity for understanding right and wrong are turned off.

[@mryoung-lane2227]

Sounds like tom brady having refs step in to prop him up🤣🤣🤣

[@nqh4393]

I’m surprised they didn’t resort to underhanded methods like poisoning his foods, as racist as they were.

[@FoxUnitNell]

In a doc about Micheal Jordan they talk about a conspiracy were the opposing team called up the only pizza joint open late night and asked them to mishandle the food so he'll get food poisoning and lose.

[@3tp]

They did. He was convicted of 'crimes' that forced him into exile. He was an amazing man with an unbelievable story.

[@pierrecalderone8206]

@@FoxUnitNell lol you just did a spinoff into your own comment lol

[@JamieZero7]

@@FoxUnitNell Micheal Jordan was a heavy gambler. With gambling addiction. So something like that wouldn't surprise me.

[@tgh223]

throw in that race card

[@johnshields6852]

Johnson was a beast, he looked like a different level of strength , compared to his foe, he was a step above, it was almost comical how he toyed with the opponent.

[@stevetatten9422]

Fury beats him.

[@edgardocarrasquillo9]

Gracias. Never to be forgotten.

[@13strong]

When I was in Reno, Nevada, I stayed in the house that used to be Johnson's training gym, and learned all about him from the owners. Really fascinating story and an impressive person.

[@coolb8545]

Amazing

[@pierregutierrez9372]

@@coolb8545 Indeed.

[@allaboutcash439]

Fights happened over 100 years ago and this still triggers debate.

[@spartandogs3126]

Just people in media wanting to create more division if you noticed any time the main stream media or social media has the opportunity to stir the pot they run with it. it’s good for views and clicks If they stir both sides up. The media is the enemy of the all of us Black and white their only interest is turning us against each other for their own personal gain and the sad part is it’s working.

[@CheckitOutYaw]

@@spartandogs3126 the world is not black and white but is always grey. You picturing media as an object of division is what many call information and learning material. Its up to you how to interpret them. Stigmatizing the media, as if it is one evil person, is a clear sign of you being subjective. And sure there is a commercial perspective to it, it's on the water we drink to the bed we sleep on. Don't tell me you work for free? We drive for capitalism and democracy, this is the result. Wanna try communism? No click baits there, there are matchsticks to hold your eye lids open though 😉

[@DrMalcolmAdams]

@@spartandogs3126 nah. That’s your conviction and guilt talking. You’d rather everything allow you the bliss of willful ignorance. No one is against you but you. What a luxury.

[@nozecone]

"Triggers" is the word for it ... !

[@allaboutcash439]

@@nozecone ok.

[@samuelalridge3718]

My hometown hero🖤🖤🖤🖤 Galveston Texas

[@luislloret7326]

Johnson was a champion in the ring and outside the ring...I can't even begin to imagine what he had to go through in his personal life after winning twice...this man was a warrior

[@hastania2238]

If this film wasn't banned, it would generate huge "box" office

[@joelcarmen6963]

I see what you did there

[@ratsu2641]

She is an expert on racial issues in sports meaning she is looking for racism in sports :)

[@coolb8545]

Banned has been banished..yeh buddy

[@coolb8545]

@@ratsu2641 maybe she got some Black in her..hmmm

[@nilnil8411]

Or could spurt an all our race riots. As it did eventually.

[@rickardkaufman3988]

Black Man: Wins. Racists: ....And I took that personally.

[@pluggedin1169]

😂😂😂

[@toddh7420]

😂 yep

[@marcusbrown307]

😂

[@South99African]

Racists are clowns LOL

[@alvarofortunatosamayoa8640]

@@South99African amen!.

[@timcobos8954]

My friend's French grandmother slept with Jack Johnson in 1920; she was no racist. My dad was one of Jim Jefferies most popular boxers at Jim's boxing venue (Jefferies Barn) in the 1940's Burbank.

[@felixoneal1356]

Thank you VOX team & Theresa Runstedtler for Shedding light on Jack Johnson’s story. We need more of this type of content that was suppressed by racism. Bless

[@mannyfrmdawic]

It’s called google 😂😂

[@austinreed5805]

Johnson’s victory sparked a new era of boxing. We have to thank him for the incredible boxers of Muhammad Ali, Mike Tyson, Joe Frazier, George Foreman, and Floyd Mayweater, just to name a few.

[@rafaelvicho3551]

Here in Philippines, there is even a shopping mall named after Muhammad Ali. It is called "Ali Mall". This is in honor of his fight happened here.

[@rgg_5645]

you forgot joe Louis he was the 2nd black heavyweight champion and an American hero

[@Valstrax420]

@@Supercool12345andy 100% of the people in the comments weren't even born back then so shut up.

[@reyesdavidchapaperez5175]

But, if not because of slavery, this boxers wouldn't never existed. From something bad, came some greatness.

[@Valstrax420]

@Ol’ Yeller "except Johnson" my point stands.

[@alanbabage3718]

Watch how the crowd was silent at 6:38 and when he finally lost in 1915 (8:57) the entire crowd is up on its feet. Only man to fight the entire arena. True badass.

[@maximuscountryboy4785]

I'm still searching of untold true stories about my people I do not know or never heard of thank u all for this give me more please its life changing ❤❤❤❤

[@chrismaurina5260]

I work with Jack Johnson great grandson his name is also Jack Johnson He’s 63 yrs old,really good guy

[@TheBatugan77]

You're FullOfShit.

[@nessitro]

History like this should be taught at schools and never be forgotten so that future generations learn from it and be more humane towards each other

[@mrt3423]

Teached*

[@eddykelly4082]

Taught at school , please.

[@nessitro]

@@eddykelly4082 Thank you!

[@savageboy7481]

@@mrt3423 you obviously need to go back to school 😂

[@justmyopiniondontbemad253]

@@mrt3423 😩🤣🤣 How are you trying to correct someone🤔 when you're incorrect yourself!?!? 🤣🤣🤣.

[@thepathfinder5414]

If they were not so blinded by hate they would have known to stay away from Jack Johnson.... Man was a machine

[@uyais]

the build-up of Muhammed Ali being named a fan of Johnson’s gave me chills, such a fitting and smooth transition of one boxing legend to another

[@cricketmusic62]

Jack Johnson was a great fighter. And so was Jake LaMotta. They were both heavyweight champions of the world. They both were amazing, underrated fighters who still don't get the recognition they deserve. Both struggled and clawed their way to the top. Boxing was a vicious industry back then. Each man had a story. Movies have been made about both. I said all that without once referring to the race or ethnicity of either fighter. They were just boxing champions.If all of us commenting had to experience just the hardships of everyday life during that era, maybe our comments would not be so intent on attacking our own brothers and sisters of humanity.

[@leonjupe7152]

Jake la motta was a middleweight champion ,beating sugar ray robinson to become champion . That shows he was real good

[@tommosley2844]

​@@leonjupe7152 LaMotta and Robinson fought 6 times with Robinson winning 5. The fight that LaMotta won was not for the championship.

[@forshigity5000]

Jack Johnson is 3rd greatest heavyweight ever....Teddy Atlas

[@theprenos6872]

Whenever i see a documentary or a movie about black guy and the year is below 1950, i know what the documentary is about and how itll end, this kind of history is just a shame for mankind

[@eduardochavacano]

if it is narrated by a very Nasal white woman, you’d think its fiction.

[@GamerbyDesign]

It's only a shame because we have learned nothing.

[@playablue]

@@GamerbyDesign of course not cause ws still goes on to this day o why would there be an investigation into the reasons The reasons still exist.

[@amirstanfield1607]

Try from 2021 down

[@thoticcusprime9309]

@@amirstanfield1607 stop playing victim

[@aubeenlopez1051]

"BRING ME MY COFFEE AS BLACK AND STRONG AS JACK JOHNSON ...AND MY SCRAMBLED EGGS ALL BEAT UP LIKE POOR OLD JIM JEFFRIES." Quoted from the documentary "Unforgivable Blackness: The Rise and Fall of Jack Johnson (2004)"

[@django2669]

🤣🤣🤣

[@johnmwangi8706]

Hehe

[@nozecone]

That's great - where does it come from?

[@aubeenlopez1051]

@@nozecone Quoted from the documentary "Unforgivable Blackness: The Rise and Fall of Jack Johnson (2004)"

[@nozecone]

@@aubeenlopez1051 Thanks.

[@millionjay]

Man, it gives me chills when I think of Jack Johnson and the man that he was!!!! The things this man accomplished was unbelievable!!!! I wish I could have been in that time to see him fight!!!!🤛🏾✊🏾🤜🏾

[@trevorb2650]

Jeffries said after the fight " I could never have whipped Johnson at my best. I couldn't have hit him, no I couldn't have reached him in a thousand years" John l Sullivan said "Johnson won deservedly, fairly and convincingly" he went on to heap copious praise on Johnson and the crowd couldn't help but admire Johnson as an amazing fighter. Sullivan was proud to be the first to congratulate Johnson on his historic win. Doesn't sound like either were very racist.

[@SoulTheSoul]

Black man:wins The world: "We don't do that here"

[@fhupz4503]

mrbeest just cominted on my vid no way

[@AaronShenghao]

Correction: White supremist.

[@justinhearst]

@@hwfq34fajw9foiffawdiufhuaiwfhw this happened in Australia

[@thebonepossy]

@@hwfq34fajw9foiffawdiufhuaiwfhw no the world, the video talkes about how it affected Europe the US and Africa.

[@maninthemirror9732]

@@hwfq34fajw9foiffawdiufhuaiwfhw Due to the popularity of American media, the world has been corrupted by racism, media and colonialism.

[@Roosters-rants1977]

And jack johnson didn't GAF. He was a true badass. A true gladiator

[@neronah7349]

1:22 🎶LOOK AT THAT BOY WITH THEM DAISY DUKES ON!! 🎶💀😂😂😂

[@loveriotradio]

Vox editing is so good

[@henny925]

As soon as they said black, I knew exactly why this film was banned back then.

[@LoganNagol]

Well yeah that is the reason

[@erdene2476]

I think most people are aware of racism back then.

[@MrWaffles_]

Wow, can't believe i never heard about this man before this.

[@AvanToor]

Really? You can't?

[@luchadorito]

@Jasi Duy Nguyễn no, I dont think it did. He is pretty well known and respected within boxing circles. Boxing in general is full of downtrodden people from outside of the rich parts of western Europe and America. Black americans, Latin-Americans and Eastern Europeans make up most of the modern hall of famers. Those who care about the sport and it’s history know about Johnson

[@richardlinares6314]

There's a great Ken Burns documentary about him, "Unforgiveable Blackness". Johnson was fearless outside the ring too, openly dating white women. It's a miracle he wasn't murdered.

[@pepesylvia848]

How many boxers from 110 years ago do you know?

[@MrWaffles_]

@@pepesylvia848 that argument is invalid since i know of people that fought against systemic racism prior to him. Like, Frederick Douglass, John Brown, Dredd Scott. All of these people are before his time and i was taught about them. Do you only know alive people? Do you care about the past?

[@misscommentarycleveland7142]

Jack Johnson was the Truth. The Fight is still onnnnnn To this date.

[@kthevsamig4958]

What fight. BLM is a joke

[@JayGuz225]

Reno native here. Did not expect to hear my hometowns name to be used in this video. History everywhere.

[@AngelicTroubleMaker-LaVooDoo]

KEN BURNS 'JACK JOHNSON DOCUMENTARY on PBS is absolutely MAGNIFICENT!!! 💯 Jack Johnson was my "NO FCKS Given " Hero.

[@GODISGREAT_12]

Yes it is! Amazing documentary.

[@brockobama257]

top comment

[@AngelicTroubleMaker-LaVooDoo]

@@brockobama257 Yay!! 😊😊

[@AngelicTroubleMaker-LaVooDoo]

@@GODISGREAT_12 YES!! FANTASTIC! 💯

[@sollybear33]

Amazing documentary I saw as a teenager

[@Akash14.]

Oh, the reason is racism, who would have guessed. 😑

[@Gurumeierhans]

Who would have expected that in the Land of the "free" and the home of the "brave"...

[@horseshit1503]

@@Gurumeierhansit is the home of the free and home of the brave we more free than any eastern Europe country so how about you think before you type

[@PHlophe]

Samir, pretty much

[@Gurumeierhans]

@@horseshit1503 Typical Murican answer...

[@WonnieWon04]

@@horseshit1503 yeah but when you enter the land of the free you meet with racist and karens. Yeah Ill rather stay in Europe.

[@ataliemelendez6214]

Wow this channel is really good 😌

[@BobJones-dq9mx]

Very informative!

[@Vethursan1]

It's so scary to think that this was only 100 years ago

[@Nik-wo7hk]

But also inspiring to see how far we have come in such a short amount of time

[@somniumisdreaming]

@@Nik-wo7hk not really, america is rife with racism.

[@lukedrewry2816]

@@somniumisdreaming I agree, but we’ve still come a long way

[@bobmarley4272]

@@Nik-wo7hk Not really. Cities like Cullman Alabama are still sundown towns (meaning if you're there past midnight you could get lynched).

[@DorsalFin_]

@@somniumisdreaming it's hardly as bad as it was 100 years ago, some of the top athletes are people of colour and live relatively good lives. That's just one example but the next major challenge is to break down the stereotypes.

[@TIAdor-um8gc]

Imagine these same ppl having morale high ground over Hitler like their any different.

[@nozecone]

Nazism was popular in the US before Pearl Harbor.

[@miapdx503]

@@nozecone it's become popular, at least common, again.😐

[@nozecone]

@@miapdx503 Agreed.

[@nyplantingsgardendesigners5645]

Speaking of Hitler, I dunno some folks sure like their Mercedes and Bmw's though.

[@nozecone]

@@nyplantingsgardendesigners5645 So?

[@cld_crush_brthers_ultra_ma60]

Salute *JACK JOHNSON, WHO ONCE WALKED THE STREETS OF SE15‼️‼️‼️‼️*

[@crimony3054]

This episode speaks to the power of moving images, even without sound.

[@paridhijoshi8426]

Can we just take a moment and talk about the amazing editing?

[@mrsleakyshit]

You didn’t even watch the entire video

[@gerardo49078]

Indeed! I'm not ashamed to say I wish I had this skills

[@bryanmavis8771]

@@mrsleakyshit he was taking a moment

[@paridhijoshi8426]

@@bryanmavis8771 *she

[@wserthmar8908]

Yes, a professional work

[@Housewarmin]

Before Ali or Tyson, there was Jack Johnson! Jack had an amazing story. He famously married and had relationships with white women, which the government attacked and arrested him for. He even lived in exile for 7 years before returning to the US to serve his one year sentence. Amazing boxer and ledgend!

[@Justin-xd7zj]

Don’t forget joe Louis

[@Housewarmin]

@WorldFlex Yes, I obviously can't include his entire story in my comment. Just an over simplified version

[@Valstrax420]

When marrying a white women is considered "famously" what does that prove?

[@Valstrax420]

This dude married 4 white women. He really hates his own race huh.

[@Valstrax420]

This guy isn't a hero. He literally beat women.

[@nmontenegro4627]

Miles Davis did a marvelous rendition to this man. What a genius he was!

[@ringsideviews]

Devin Haney vs George Kambosos Press conference brought me here

[@ry-blo_utd]

White Vs Black Boxing White Supremacists: That wasn't supposed to happen.

[@SerenityM54L2SAM5L5N1]

It probably just reinforces "white supremacists" view that non-whites aren't human

[@Ealsante]

Well, it was supposed to happen if the white guy won. But... that didn't go according to their twisted little plan, eh?

[@lindasparrow2499]

@@SerenityM54L2SAM5L5N1 so blk people are superhuman?

[@sesevenen2339]

@112358 853211 you completely missed the point, it flew way over your head

[@ladyviva7500]

Black man wins a fight. Racists: You cheated. We are going to change the rules.

[@blackreign5967]

They always do that when WE beat them at their own game, that WS ideology still exists today

[@philliplord6332]

Donald Trump did the same thing. Trump tore this country apart and destroyed the countries economy and legitimacy around the world and yet they still think he was some president deserving of respect. They are scared that colored people can also sometimes lead better then they can. What Donald Trumps presidency did was expose the blatant hypocrisy present even today.

[@pierrecalderone8206]

Lol it's so funny because it's so true.

[@toddh7420]

🤣🤣 so true

[@frankiesanuk]

Sounds like democrats circa 2020

[@pizzyg]

Love this! This is an amazing video.

[@davidjensen6054]

I was a boxer for years I thought all types of ethnic backgrounds and races boxing is not about race it's combat and The human condition mind and Spirit and we all appreciate each other no matter what your f****** color was we were warriors

[@lucywynn4048]

Well in America it's always about race 🤷🏽‍♀️ that's how white supremacy works!

[@davidjensen6054]

@@lucywynn4048 that's what they say it works nowadays but it's on the human individual the way you're raised you're belief but if you sit there and listen to the media and especially the Democratic party you're going to do nothing but follow them and lose your way

[@harryrenner3001]

Maybe as a boxer you might think that it's not about race. but to the people watching the boxing matches it's very much about race. even after all these many years later people have learned nothing. and racism is still a very serious problem. not only in boxing but also in everything that people do and in this Country. you can blame the Republican party for promoting racism as much as they do. after you will never see a half black Republican presidential candidate that's for sure. and with racism aloud to flourish like it does. I hold out little hope for humanity and mankind's survival no doubt.

[@32mrperfect]

Glad the story of the Champ Jack Johnson is getting out, the Grandfather of Heavyweight boxing 🙏🏾🥊

[@LewisWin]

No white always win

[@coolb8545]

I bet Iron Mike knows about this hehe

[@32mrperfect]

@@coolb8545 Iron Mike mentioned Jack a few times on his Podcast!!

[@dajo492]

Not just getting out. I knew about this great champion 40 years ago. Anyone that knows a small part of boxing knows him. Ali was not the first boxing champion.

[@angelgray8899]

_"A white man must hold the title"_ Sounds like something Fox news would say 🤦🏽‍♀️😂

[@django2669]

Spot on 😂😂😂

[@kacgb5315]

...fox wouldn't say that but go off

[@angelgray8899]

@@django2669 Yup 💯💯 That's something they'd say 😂😂

[@cccpkingu]

It is a way to promote boxing.

[@marshallbeck9101]

Yes and cnn would condemn them while a black kid shines their shoes

[@tamaralaber5010]

I just learned that I'm related to Jim Jeffries. It makes me happy that Johnson put Jeffries in his place. It's heartbreaking to learn about the horrific aftermath of that fight.

[@Kaddywompous]

Any large, athletic types in your family?

[@josuearreola4754]

They seriously need to make a movie about this great man

[@firstname__lastname]

We need a movie about Jack Johnson. His life was incredible.

[@ogbarryjones4791]

It's Called the "Great White Hope"...James Earl Jones

[@rowdyrx6109]

PBS Ken Burns “Unforgivable Blackness”. Great documentary

[@LuisAntonioPerez327]

You can draw a line through history. Johnson, Louis, Ali, Tyson.

[@forshigity5000]

Tyson? no

[@theinformationbomber7102]

@@forshigity5000 Tyson is the best out of all 4 of them

[@EMDWDG4]

6:16 Motion picture: Oh Jack Johnson is going to wi- KZbin: *crashes*

[@YayoLife]

That punch he landed on Stanley was so hard, I believe the longer version of the video showed him brushing off Stanley's tooth off his glove. Back in the days, I don't believe there were mouth guards yet so a punch as strong as Jack's wpuld definitely make you a smiling grandpa in an instant.

[@erikbostrom.9318]

Burns, a great Canadian, gave the man his due, a fight.

[@Atombender]

Burns used his white privilege to give the best black fighter a chance and Johnson happily accepted. That's sportmanship.

[@paulturner6334]

Marciano was controlled by the mob money was paid for OLD down and out black fighters Mayweather 50-0

[@kingkante2913]

He refused to fight willingly. Johnson followed him for 2 years. He only accepted because a promoter offered 30,000

[@susantetlow6568]

Burns was Irish hit him in the slats his wife used to shout up great uncle Tommy🍀

[@j897xce]

Boxing has such a cool history.

[@kgabothamaga7155]

We need a Hollywood film about Jack Johnson.It's long overdue.

[@williamday3163]

Watching this helps me understand why in the "Peaky Blinders" series it was so important when they allowed that kid to represent the Blinders in the ring

[@jesusaguilar4585]

Fun fact: With the clip of Jack Johnson knocking out Stanley Ketchel and falling down because of the momentum, Johnson rises and waits for Ketchel to get up. As he waits, Johnson is wiping off his glove. What Johnson is wiping of his glove is some of Stanley Ketchel's teeth that got stuck in his glove.

[@andrewr62]

Fun fact #2 in Jack Johnson's biography he admitted the Jess Willard knocked out one of his gold teeth and we said out of pride he swallowed the tooth instead of spitting it out.

[@catguy00]

Credit to Tommy Burns for giving Johnson the title shot. He could have easily ran away like the other white champions did.

[@kingkante2913]

He did actually. Took him 2 years and 30k

[@mikebarker7626]

Come on, Burns was retired and past his prime

[@masterbuck]

We’re talking Burns here, not Jefferies

[@andymullarx6365]

You should have shown more of the fight Johnson lost in 1915. It would be interesting to know who the man was that beat him and how his career went after that.

[@tylerrobbins8311]

Willard a 6'7 giant KOed him stiff in the 26th. Honestly had Johnson not ducked so many top fighters he probably wouldn't have stayed champ long. It's funny people ignore Burns was a terrible champion and tiny at 5'7 and 175lbs the man was hardly even a heavyweight especially compared to Johnson at 6 215lbs.

[@ishatype2764]

Johnson always gets a pass for being old and out of shape in the Willard fight. That may have been true. But Willard was too big, too strong, for Johnson to ever beat him. Many will disagree with me but stylistically, Johnson could not reach him, although he tried for 25 rounds. If you didn't know, Willard stayed on as champ but did not fight much until he fought Jack Dempsey. Dempsey gave Willard one of the worst beatings in boxing history, and it's all on film. Search for it on KZbin. It's horrific.

[@tylerrobbins8311]

@@ishatype2764 I am well aware and agree with you people love to downplay Willard. Fun fact Willard said that Dempsey cheated and Dempsey blatantly admitted it to Willard. Now does that change anything no bit it's intresting to know considering they became good friends in retirement.

[@conradmuhumuza9492]

They should have a movie about this guy. He is a legend! 🙌

[@lockdown550]

Jack Johnson and George Dixon aren't talked about enough

[@Realafricangeneral]

Jack Johnson kind of is but George Dixon nope

[@ShaggyRax]

Yea underrated

[@sup3rAVATARtlafAN]

And still, to this day, the USA is obsessed with race. Of course, this applies to countless countries, but in the Western world, haven't seen a country that obsessed still to this day. It's still a country with wonderful people in it, there's over 300 million, but still, that it persists to 2021 in so many facets of life is weird. Naturally, things are much more complicated than my comment makes it into.

[@theunknown3537]

I think the same thing🤷🏽‍♂️

[@Henbot]

Because USA was massively racist and the racist leftovers still linger

[@islamsaiful344]

Islam is the solutions for usa by The great Malcom X

[@SpaceBadjur]

@ozymandias nullifidian yes, blacks being racist is on the rise.

[@unknownChungus]

It’s not only USA. Almost every country has this problem.

[@YoungDirtyMexicanOfficially]

the ending made me cry... 🔥🔥🔥 good one..

[@9wiseart117]

💯 true inspiration! Remembering you Jack Johnson!

[@nilezrule]

This is the type of story n video we love. Keep it up VOX!

[@Remember-Death]

Ken Burns made an amazing documentary about Jack Johnson called "Unforgivable Blackness: The Rise and Fall of Jack Johnson." It's one of the best docs I've ever seen.

[@alexdasliebe5391]

Thanks for the recommendation! 👍🏼✌🏼

[@KD400_]

He also came with an ali documentary recently

[@DaKingisDead]

Long live the King...'Champion Jack' Johnson the Greatest of All Time♾🌍

[@ronaldmharrison7137]

They couldn't handle the TRUTH !