Career Timeline of Jack Johnson: Major Achievements and Milestones

Discover the career path of Jack Johnson, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Jack Johnson, nicknamed the "Galveston Giant", was an American boxer and the first African American world heavyweight boxing champion (1908–1915) during the Jim Crow era. His victory over James J. Jeffries in 1910, a fight dubbed the "fight of the century", triggered race riots across the U.S. Johnson was a prominent and controversial figure, considered by Ken Burns as "the most famous and the most notorious African American on Earth" for over a decade. He is remembered as one of boxing's most influential figures.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Controversies & Scandals Legacy & Impact

January 1901: Rematch Against Klondike

In January 1901, Carroll organized a rematch between Johnson and Klondike in Memphis. Johnson won after Klondike quit in the 14th round.

February 25, 1901: Fight and Arrest with Joe Choynski

On February 25, 1901, Johnson fought Joe Choynski at Harmony Hall in Galveston, Texas. Both fighters were arrested for participating in an illegal prizefight and spent 23 days in jail.

February 5, 1903: Wins World Colored Heavyweight Championship

On February 5, 1903, at Hazard's Pavilion in Los Angeles, Johnson won a 20-round decision over Denver Ed Martin for the World Colored Heavyweight Championship.

1904: Challenge to James J. Jeffries

In 1904, Johnson issued a challenge to James J. Jeffries, who held the world heavyweight title at the time. However, Jeffries refused to fight an African American and retired instead.

1905: Frequent Fights with Joe Jeanette

Between 1905 and 1908, Johnson and Joe Jeanette fought frequently, with Johnson dominating their official matchups before winning the world heavyweight title.

April 26, 1906: Fight Against Sam Langford

On April 26, 1906, Johnson fought Sam Langford at the Lincoln Athletic Club in Chelsea, Massachusetts, winning easily. However, after winning the heavyweight championship, he refused to give Langford a chance at the title.

July 1907: Knocks Out Bob Fitzsimmons

In July 1907, Johnson fought former champion Bob Fitzsimmons and knocked him out in two rounds.

December 26, 1908: Wins World Heavyweight Title

On December 26, 1908, Johnson won the world heavyweight title by defeating Tommy Burns at the Sydney Stadium in Australia. The police stopped the fight in the 14th round, and the championship was awarded to Johnson.

1908: Wins Heavyweight Title and Refuses to Fight Jeanette

After winning the heavyweight title in 1908, Johnson refused to fight Joe Jeanette again, despite numerous challenges.

1908: Becomes First Black Heavyweight Champion

In 1908, Jack Johnson became the first black world heavyweight boxing champion during the Jim Crow era.

1908: Filmed fight with Tommy Burns

In 1908, Johnson's bout with Tommy Burns was filmed and turned into a documentary, The Burns-Johnson Fight.

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October 16, 1909: Knocks Out Stanley Ketchel

On October 16, 1909, Johnson knocked out Stanley Ketchel in the 12th round with a devastating right to the jaw during a fight.

October 29, 1909: Agreement Signed for Johnson-Jeffries Fight

On October 29, 1909, Johnson and Jeffries signed an agreement to box for the heavyweight championship of the world and called promoters to bid for the right to orchestrate the event.

December 1909: Selection of Promoters for Johnson-Jeffries Fight

In early December 1909, Johnson and Jeffries selected a bid from the nation's top boxing promoters—Tex Rickard and John Gleason for their fight. The bid guaranteed a purse of $101,000.

July 4, 1910: "Fight of the Century" Against Jeffries

On July 4, 1910, the fight between Johnson and Jeffries took place in Reno, Nevada. Johnson dominated and Jeffries' corner threw in the towel in the 15th round.

1910: Langford lost to Battling Jim Johnson

In 1910, Battling Jim Johnson had a draw and loss via KO to Sam McVey, the former colored champ.

1910: "Fight of the Century" Against James J. Jeffries

In 1910, Johnson fought James J. Jeffries in a match dubbed the "fight of the century". Johnson defeated Jeffries, triggering race riots across the U.S.

1910: Jeffries Agrees to Fight Johnson

In 1910, former heavyweight champion James J. Jeffries came out of retirement to challenge Johnson. Jeffries stated that he was fighting to prove that "a white man is better than a Negro".

1910: Johnson-Jeffries fight filmed

In 1910, the film of the Johnson-Jeffries fight happened.

July 1912: Opened Café de Champion

In July 1912, Johnson opened an interracial nightclub in Chicago called Café de Champion.

July 19, 1912: Battling Jim Johnson vs Joe Jeanette

On July 19, 1912, Battling Jim fought former colored champ Joe Jeanette four times between July 19, 1912, and January 21, 1913, and lost all four fights.

1912: Opens "Black and Tan" Restaurant and Nightclub

In 1912, Johnson opened a successful and luxurious "black and tan" restaurant and nightclub in Chicago, which was partly run by his wife. He was later arrested on charges of violating the Mann Act.

January 21, 1913: Battling Jim Johnson vs Joe Jeanette

On January 21, 1913, Battling Jim fought former colored champ Joe Jeanette four times between July 19, 1912, and January 21, 1913, and lost all four fights.

August 1913: Rumors of Fight with Langford in Paris

In August 1913, there were rumors that Johnson had agreed to fight Sam Langford in Paris for the title, but it did not happen because Langford was allegedly unable to raise the $30,000 guarantee.

November 1913: IBU Declares Title Vacant

In November 1913, the International Boxing Union had declared the world heavyweight title held by Jack Johnson to be vacant.

December 19, 1913: Fight Against Battling Jim Johnson in Paris

On December 19, 1913, Johnson fought Battling Jim Johnson in Paris. It was the first time in history that two black people had fought for the world heavyweight championship.

1914: Published "Mes combats"

In 1914, Johnson wrote "Mes combats", a memoir of his life.

1914: Arranging the Fight with Jess Willard

In late 1914, Jack Curley and Harry Frazee began working to arrange a title fight between Johnson and Jess Willard.

April 5, 1915: Loses Title to Jess Willard

On April 5, 1915, Johnson lost his world heavyweight championship to Jess Willard in Havana, Cuba. He was knocked out in the 26th round.

1915: End of Championship Reign

In 1915, Jack Johnson's reign as the world heavyweight boxing champion came to an end.

1920: Opened Club Deluxe

In 1920, Johnson opened the Club Deluxe, a Black and Tan night club in Harlem.

1927: Published "Jack Johnson in the Ring and Out"

In 1927, Johnson wrote "Jack Johnson in the Ring and Out", a memoir of his life.

1931: End of boxing career

In 1931 Jack Johnson finished his boxing career.

1938: Final Professional Fight

In 1938, Johnson had his final professional fight at age 60, losing to Walter Price by a 7th-round TKO.

November 27, 1945: Final ring appearance

On November 27, 1945, at the age of 67, Johnson made his final ring appearance. He fought three one-minute exhibition rounds against Joe Jeanette and John Ballcort in a benefit fight card for U.S. War Bonds.