Wednesday, February 8, 2017

Trailblazers in Black History: Joe Gans


Joe Gans was an African-American boxer, born in Baltimore, Maryland, who was rated the greatest lightweight boxer of all time by boxing historian and Ring Magazine founder Nat Fleischer. 

Gans was known as the "Old Master". He fought from 1891 to 1909. He was the first African-American World Boxing Champion of the 20th century, reigning continuously as World Lightweight Champion from 1902-1904 and 1906-1908. 

Gans started boxing professionally about 1891 in Baltimore. He gained many fans within the boxing world, both white and black, with his "scientific" approach to fighting. Finding an opponent's strengths and weaknesses, then competing with a game-plan was Gans' specialty. He was known as a true student of the sport. 

Additional information is available here

Source: Wikipedia

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