John Henry Lewis
John Henry Lewis (born May 1, 1914 in Los Angeles , † May 18, 1974 ) was an American boxer . He was the first black world light heavyweight champion.
Career
His great-great-uncle was the legendary Tom Molineaux who was the first black man to compete against the English champion (and unofficial world champion) Tom Cribb .
He became a professional welterweight (first fights not yet listed on the balance sheet). In 1932 he beat Jim Braddock in San Francisco and was narrowly defeated by Maxie Rosenbloom . The following year he beat Rosenbloom twice, but lost games four and five. Braddock also won a rematch.
In 1935 he was able to box against Bob Olin for the World Cup and won.
But an eye injury bothered him and he was close to the end of his career. When he discovered this, his friend Joe Louis offered him a lucrative heavyweight championship fight in 1939. Lewis had no chance there and was knocked out in the first round. Then he stopped.
In 1994 Lewis was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame .
Web links
| personal data | |
|---|---|
| SURNAME | Lewis, John Henry |
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION | American boxer |
| DATE OF BIRTH | May 1, 1914 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | los Angeles |
| DATE OF DEATH | May 18, 1974 |