1. Jack Johnson
Nobody was avoided more in their career than former heavyweight champion, Jack Johnson.
Many credit John L. Sullivan as being the first heavyweight boxing champion. This despite him never having fought outside the United States. He refused to face any black challengers however, including Jack Johnson. In fact, every early heavyweight champion refused to face Johnson, or any black challenger.
After Sullivan, James Corbett, Bob Fitzsimmons, Jim Jeffries, and Marvin Hart all refused Johnson’s persistent challenges. Finally, Canadian fighter, Tommy Burns, agreed to face Johnson on December 26th 1908. Burns cashed in on this early “money-fight”, only agreeing to the bout after receiving a record fee of $30,000.
