Jack Johnson made history in 1908 by becoming the first black world heavyweight boxing champion.
Five years later, he was convicted by an all-white jury of crossing state lines with a white woman for "immoral purposes" and was sentenced to a year and a day in prison.
100 years on from his trial and conviction, what legacy did this hugely divisive and controversial character leave for other black athletes and for the civil rights movement in America?
FULL STORY
Have to say, not fully read up on Johnson's story although I'd heard of it but this article piqued my interest. I'll definitely try and read up more about him.
Ali, certainly took some inspiration from him and JJ definitely laid the ground-work for his successors in boxing alongside boxers like Joe Louis, Frazier etc and I kinda admire him for battling up against the racism he suffered to laugh in the face of his accusers by beating everyone up and ENJOYING it.
Obama hopefully will pardon him - which as any politician he will time for his own convenience.
