Found 4 collections related to African American boxers

Heavyweight boxing champion Jack Johnson (1878-1946) was the first African-American boxer to win the heavyweight title. A controversial figure, Johnson was famous for the furor that surrounded his heavyweight championship, his flamboyant lifestyle, and his association with white women. His victory against retired boxer Jim Jefferies, who was referred to in the press as "the great white hope", triggered riots in many cities throughout the United States. Johnson lost his title in 1915 against white boxer Jess Willard, and continued to box until 1938, when he fought his last professional fight. The Jack Johnson Scrapbooks include numerous newspaper clippings and programs of his fights and the 1967 play, Great White Hope, which was based on his life. There is additional printed material with images of Johnson boxing with a variety of opponents such as Joe Jeannette, Jess Willard, Jim Jeffries, Sam Langford, Tommy Burns, and Sam McVey. The clippings cover all aspects of Johnson's life in and out of the ring, including his run for public office in Chicago. Other articles document his trial and conviction in 1913 for violating the Mann Act. Promotional material and reviews of Johnson's autobiography, Jack Johnson in the Ring and Out (1927), are included. less

The Canada Lee Papers document two of the careers of this multi-talented man: his profession as an actor and his career as a boxer. The papers consist principally of personal and professional correspondence; speeches; and contracts, correspondence and other material generated during the production of a play or movie in which he performed. A significant part of the collection is newsclippings and other material housed in a series of scrapbooks. Also included are financial records, and a few artifacts. less

This collections consists of promotional literature for films with African American casts. Many of the films are from Norman Studios, which produced silent films featuring African American casts from 1919 to 1928. The rest of the films are mostly Hollywood productions, the majority of which are from the 1930s-1940s. The promotional material includes leaflets, advertisements, window cards, and other accessories for movie theaters. In addition, there are handbills for boxers Henry Armstrong and Joe Louis. less

Harry Wills was a professional boxer and leading heavyweight contender in the 1920s. The Harry Wills collection consists of passports, correspondence, clippings, a program of his fight with Luis Firpo in 1924, a poster, and two volumes of the Everlast Boxing Record, 1922 and 1925, listing Wills's major matches. less