Beschreibung:

Jack Johnson’s 1916 Confession Letter To Nat Fleisher of Ring Magazine Today, a hundred years after he dominated boxing at the highest level, we are pleased to present one of that sports true treasures---a fascinating five page letter signed three times by Jack Johnson to Nat Fleisher, founder of Ring Magazine. In it Johnson confesses to throwing the historic title fight that he lost against Jess Willard, a battle that still today is perhaps the most controversial and racially charged heavyweight championship fight ever held. The June 15, 1915 contest held in Cuba pitted the heavily favored “unbeatable” black fighter against a 6 foot 6 inch tall and 230-pound former mule skinner, Big Jess Willard. When the fight began most casual fans thought it would be a walk in the park for the menacing Johnson. In fact, the first part of the fight seemed predictable with the Champion coasting. But after 20 grueling rounds, things began to change as the tiring and older Champ began to feel the sweltering Havana heat. Newspaperman Damon Runyon sitting at ringside called the last several rounds a “fistic frenzy”. In the 26th round a weakened Johnson seemed to crumble as a result of a series of blows and was knocked down by the younger Willard. Shockingly, Johnson lay flat on his back with referee Jack Welch completing a count to 10 while a victorious Willard towered over him. Johnson lost and Jess Willard was crowned the new Heavyweight Champion of the World. Runyon summed up the hostile mood in Cuba the night Johnson lost and a new king was crowned. “Something approaching a race riot followed with thousands marching throughout the streets of Havana chanting “Viva El Bianco!” As interesting as the fight was, the true significance of the actual brawl can only be fully appreciated within the context provided by the historically significant document offered here. In it, Johnson details a sordid story, claiming to have “faked” the fight and losing it at the suggestion of promoters Harry Frazee and Jack Curley. In words that even today sting with anger, sadness and despair, in five long pages Johnson details the fix, the fight and what he claims was a sinister “double cross”. The writing itself is steeped in its own controversy because Fleisher, the letters recipient, adds his own note to the piece stating, “I saw the fight and didn’t think it was a fake.” The fascinating question as to whether the fight was fixed as Johnson states, or whether Willard beat him fair and square will be debated in boxing circles forever. Each of the three full Johnson signatures within these pages is in dark ink (each 9/10). The first and third are boldly signed at the bottom of the first and last pages and the second is found on the margin of the second page. There are 5 typed pages in all, each quite legible, and Fleisher’s note doubting Johnson’s confession is also typed and appears attached on the upper right hand corner of the first page. At the top of the second page above his signature Johnson writes, “Dear Nat Here is my story as I promised you”. The last page of this very historic document has been mounted on period cardboard stock, perhaps by Fleisher himself, and Johnson wrote at the end of his missive in large bold black letters: “This is a true account of what happened in my fight with Jess Willard. I put the blame just as it belongs. Yours Truly Former Champion Jan. ’27—1916 Jack Johnson.” A superior piece of boxing history. LOAs from PSA/DNA and JSA.