Explore Black History

July 4, 1910

This 1910 boxing match between Jack Johnson, the first African American World Heavyweight Champion, and James Jeffries, the previously undefeated World Heavyweight Champion, is known as the first "Fight of the Century" or the "Johnson-Jeffries Prize Fight." The eagerly anticipated fight had significant racial implications, with overtly racist press directed towards Johnson in the lead up. Johnson beat Jeffries in the fifteenth round, after knocking him down three times. As African Americans celebrated Johnson's victory in the week after the fight, whites retaliated and dozens of race riots broke out across the country. The violence of the "Johnson-Jeffries riots" took place in both large cities and small towns in Ohio, Texas, Arkansas, Illinois, New York, Missouri, Virginia, Nebraska, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Delaware, and the District of Columbia. The true toll is unknown, but it is estimated that at least ten African Americans were killed and hundreds of people were injured.

A black and white photograph of Jack Johnson and Jim Jeffries in the boxing ring surrounded by a huge crowd during the boxing match on July 4, 1910 in Reno, Nevada.
In the center of the image, encircled on all sides by a large crowd, is a rectangular boxing ring, with Johnson on the right turned towards the camera and Jeffries on the left turned mostly away from the camera. Both are shirtless, in boxing shorts, shoes, and gloves. Each man is in a boxing stance with one leg forward and their gloved hands held close to their waist. The referee, dressed in a white shirt, pants with suspenders, necktie, and boater hat, observes from just to the left of the boxers. The image shows rows of seated spectators in the foreground and surrounding the ring, with the tightly packed crowd extending behind the ring into raised stands and comprising much of the background of the photograph. There is a sign in the center of the crowd which reads [“BULL” / DURHAM].
Black text appears across the bottom edge the boxing ring reading [DANA / Photo / S.F. / No. 63. The Crowd at the Ringside. Reno, July 4, 1910 / Copyright By 1910]. There are no further marks or inscriptions, front or back. The back of the photograph is mostly covered with the remains of black paper to which the photograph had previously been affixed.

National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Photographs and Still Images

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

National Museum of African American History and Culture

2023.96.3

gelatin silver prints

Public domain
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.

silver and photographic gelatin on photographic paper

H x W: 4 1/4 × 6 1/2 in. (10.8 × 16.5 cm)

Object Name • Photograph of Jack Johnson and Jim Jeffries

nmaahc_2023.96.3

NMAAHC

PHOTOGRAPH OF JACK JOHNSON AND JIM JEFFRIES

National Museum of African American History and Culture

CC0

1910s

Percy Dana Studio • Jeffries, James J. • Johnson, Jack

Reno • United States • North and Central America • Washoe County • Nevada

U.S. History, 1865-1921 • Race riots • Athletes • Race relations • Sports

City • Reno • County • Washoe County • State • Nevada • Country • United States • Continent • North and Central America

Images

No Known Copyright Restrictions