Joe Gans

<p> Joe Gans captured the world lightweight title in 1902 becoming the first black American world title holder in any sport. Gans was a master strategist and tactician and one of the earliest practitioners of scientific boxing. As a black champion reigning during the Jim Crow era he endured physical assaults a stolen title bankruptcy and numerous attempts to destroy his reputation. Four short years after successfully defending his title in the 42-round Greatest Fight of the Century Joe Gans was dead of tuberculosis.</p><p> This biography features original round-by-round ringside telegraph reports of his most famous and controversial fights a complete fight history photographs and early newspaper drawings and cartoons.</p>