“Unforgivable Blackness” is a new biography about the life and times of the boxer Jack Johnson. It was written by Geoffrey C Ward and has won the William Hill Sports Book of the Year award.
Johnson, who inspired many boxers that include the great Muhammad Ali, became the first ever black heavyweight champion of the world when he won the title in 1908. He had unbelievable defensive techniques and in some of his fights he would talk to members of the crowd to show off. But he had to endure harsh racial discrimination and spent periods in jail and seven years in exile. Have a look at this short video about the man himself:
Six books were up for the esteemed award which is the most lucrative sporting literary prize. Ward is expected to be given £18,000 and a free £2000 bet for his achievement. William Hill’s Graham Sharpe said: “The winner had to fight off a very stern challenge from an extremely strong shortlist and is a thoroughly worthy addition to the Award’s roll of honour. The book is a great tribute to a man who changed the sporting world forever a century ago.” Johnson was a truly great boxer, who will definitely be remembered for all time for the fights he had to deal with inside and outside of the ring, who famously said: “I’m Jack Johnson, heavyweight champion of the world. I’m black. They never let me forget it. I’m black all right! I’ll never let them forget it!” – What a man!
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