Battling Jim Johnson
Encyclopedia
"Battling" Jim Johnson (1887–1918) was an American
boxer
. Johnson was a contender in the heavyweight
division during the 1910s, fighting the likes of Sam Langford
, Joe Jeanette
, Sam McVea, Harry Wills
and Kid Norfolk
on numerous occasions. He also fought Jack Johnson
in Paris
in 1913, the first time that two black
boxers had fought for the World heavyweight title; the fight ended as a draw.
in a 12 round fight at the Crescent A.C., Lowell, Mass. However, the fight was postponed due the Spanish influenza. While waiting for the bout to be rescheduled, Johnson contracted the disease. After he was removed from the hospital, he died after a few days of pneumonia.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
boxer
Boxing
Boxing, also called pugilism, is a combat sport in which two people fight each other using their fists. Boxing is supervised by a referee over a series of between one to three minute intervals called rounds...
. Johnson was a contender in the heavyweight
Heavyweight
Heavyweight is a division, or weight class, in boxing. Fighters who weigh over 200 pounds are considered heavyweights by the major professional boxing organizations: the International Boxing Federation, the World Boxing Association, the World Boxing Council, and the World Boxing...
division during the 1910s, fighting the likes of Sam Langford
Sam Langford
Sam Langford was a Black Canadian boxing standout of the early part of the 20th century. Called the "Greatest Fighter Nobody Knows," by ESPN. He was rated #2 by The Ring on their list of "100 greatest punchers of all time". Langford was originally from Weymouth Falls, a small community in Nova...
, Joe Jeanette
Joe Jeanette
Jeremiah "Joe" Jeannette is considered one of the best African-American heavyweight boxers of the early 20th century.-Early life and career:...
, Sam McVea, Harry Wills
Harry Wills
240px|rightHarry "The Black Panther" Wills was perhaps the most well known victim of the "color line" drawn by white heavyweight champions after the title reign of Jack Johnson...
and Kid Norfolk
Kid Norfolk
William Ward also known as Kid Norfolk was a world heavyweight boxing title contender.-Professional career:...
on numerous occasions. He also fought Jack Johnson
Jack Johnson (boxer)
John Arthur Johnson , nicknamed the “Galveston Giant,” was an American boxer. At the height of the Jim Crow era, Johnson became the first African American world heavyweight boxing champion...
in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
in 1913, the first time that two black
Black people
The term black people is used in systems of racial classification for humans of a dark skinned phenotype, relative to other racial groups.Different societies apply different criteria regarding who is classified as "black", and often social variables such as class, socio-economic status also plays a...
boxers had fought for the World heavyweight title; the fight ended as a draw.
Illness and Death
Jim was signed to fight Sam LangfordSam Langford
Sam Langford was a Black Canadian boxing standout of the early part of the 20th century. Called the "Greatest Fighter Nobody Knows," by ESPN. He was rated #2 by The Ring on their list of "100 greatest punchers of all time". Langford was originally from Weymouth Falls, a small community in Nova...
in a 12 round fight at the Crescent A.C., Lowell, Mass. However, the fight was postponed due the Spanish influenza. While waiting for the bout to be rescheduled, Johnson contracted the disease. After he was removed from the hospital, he died after a few days of pneumonia.