The world's first African American heavyweight champion, Jack Johnson, defeated Canadian Tommy Burns on December 26, 1908, in a World Boxing Championship fight held in Sydney, Australia. This initiated the quest to find a "Great White Hope" to defeat Johnson. James Jeffries, a leading white fighter, came out of retirement to answer the challenge. Johnson successfully defended his world champiosnhip on July 4, 1910. News of Jeffries's defeat ignited numerous incidents of white violence against blacks. Johnson was born John Arthur Johnson on March 31, 1878, in Galveston, Texas. He boxed professionally from 1897 to 1928, and boxed in exhibition matches until 1945.

During his boxing career, Johnson fought 114 fights, winning 80 matches, 45 by knockout. He held on the title until April 5, 1915. Johnson was knocked out by Jess Willard in the 26th round during a World Championship fight in Havana, Cuba.

Johnson was the subject of negative publicity and a great deal of controversy due to two marriages, to Caucasian women. Due to the racist attitudes of the times, interracial marriages were prohibited in many states. In 1912, Johnson was convicted of violating the Mann Act by transporting his wife across state lines before their marriage and was sentenced to a year in prison.

While out on appeal, Johnson escaped fearing for his safety. Posing as a member of a black baseball team, he fled to Canada and later Europe. He remained a fugitive for seven years.

During that time, Johnson successfully defended his heavyweight championship three times in Paris, before losing his title to Willard. Johnson died in an automobile accident on June 10th, 1946, in Raleigh, North Carolina.

DeMarkus Hadley is a Sexton High School freshman and a participant in the Young Publishers Club sponsored by the Michigan Bulletin which meets at the Magic Johnson Foundation Creation Station located at the Black Child and Family Institute - 835 W. Genesee, Lansing MI.