Jack Johnson KO 15 James Jeffries, July 4, 1910

This classic prizefight between Jack Johnson and James Jeffries was perfectly emblematic of the sorry state of race relations at the turn of the 20th century, within the living memory of slavery.

Johnson was the first man of African heritage to win the heavyweight championship of the world, when he thoroughly outclassed Tommy Burns in 1908. White America reacted to his ascendancy with horror, and the bold Johnson did nothing to placate their fears. He was a proud and exceptionally intelligent man who took pleasure in poking at the angry wound felt by racist America.