Fight of the Century

A look at race relations in theUS during the first half of the 20th century, through the first two African-American heavyweight boxing champions, Jack Johnson and Joe Louis. Using the Black press of the time, the author explores how their public careers and private lives define and explain national issues from the early 1900s to the late 1940s.

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This is a revealing look at the history of race relations in the United States during the first half of the twentieth century portrayed through the lives and times of the first two African-American heavyweight boxing champions, Jack Johnson and Joe Louis. Incorporating extensive research into the black press of the time, the author explores how the public careers and private lives of these two sports figures both define and explain vital national issues from the early 1900s to the late 1940s.