Black champion boxer Jack Johnson's defeat at the hands of white Kansas cowboy Jess Willard, 100 years ago this week, delighted rabid viewers and a Melbourne sports writer.
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"WORLD'S BOXING CHAMPIONSHIP. WON BY A WHITE MAN" Melbourne's Age cheered.
"The world's championship boxing contest between Jack Johnson, the champion, and the Kansas cowboy Jess Willard, took place at Havana, Cuba, on Monday. It was stipulated for over 45 rounds, but in the 26th round Willard administered a knock-out blow, and the world's championship passed from the black to the white man.
"[Throughout] Johnson tried to annoy Willard by talking loudly, but Johnson began missing with his leads in the 14th round and in some sharp exchanges Willard laughed at Johnson's efforts. By the 17th round Willard's leads were getting home heavily on Johnson's body.
"The crowd frantically cheered Willard when, in the 20th round, he landed several blows to Johnson's body which obviously distressed the champion. The boxing in the four subsequent rounds degenerated to slow punching, with little apparent effect.
"In the 25th round both boxers were going well, but they were weak in the clinches. Rights and lefts by Willard effectively stopped Johnson's aggressiveness. Finally Willard, in the 26th round, brought in a terrific right swing on Johnson's jaw. The champion fell and was counted out. A scene of wild excitement followed. The crowd rushed the ring and threatened Johnson, but soldiers who guarded the ring cleared the mob away and protected the boxers."
