Joe Gans
The Old Master, lightweight champion from 1902 and a pioneer Black titleholder
Overview
Gans won the world lightweight title in 1902 by knocking out Frank Erne in the first round and became one of the first Black world champions in the sport. His 1906 defense against Battling Nelson in the mining town of Goldfield, Nevada, ran 42 rounds before Nelson was disqualified for a low blow. Admired for economy of movement and precise counterpunching, he died of tuberculosis in 1910.
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