Who was Jack Johnson? Five facts about the legendary boxer

After 14 years of lobbying by supporters and family members, former heavyweight boxing champion Jack Johnson finally received a presidential pardon, 72 years after his death.

Born in Texas in 1878, Johnson was the world champion from 1908-1915 and was the first African American to hold the title. But beyond those basic details, what else do we know about him?

Here are five important facts about the Galveston Giant:

Johnson rose to prominence at the height of the Jim Crow era, so his race was always an issue, delaying his opportunity to compete for the world title, but earning him even more publicity when he won it and later defended his crown.

According to Washington University in St. Louis professor Dr. Gerald Early: "While Johnson was heavyweight champion, he was covered more in the press than all other notable black men combined."

Johnson's dominance spawned a search for a "Great White Hope" to challenge him, and resulted in what was called the "Fight of the Century" in 1910. Former undefeated heavyweight champ James Jeffries came out of retirement after having not fought in six years. 

Johnson dominated the fight and was declared the winner when Jeffries' corner threw in the towel in the 15th round.

Johnson's career was chronicled in film several times, including the Ken Burns documentary Unforgivable Blackness: The Rise and Fall of Jack Johnson.

Johnson's flamboyance also extended to his personal life. He taunted opponents in and out of the ring. He drew attention for his public dalliances with women and all three of his documented marriages were to white women. 

He was convicted in 1913 by an all-white jury for violating the Mann Act -- on charges that he transported a white woman "across state lines for immoral purposes." However, he skipped bail and left the country, only to return in 1920 to turn himself in. He served 10 months of his one-year sentence before being released. 

Johnson died in a car crash in 1946 at 68.

“Jack Johnson lived in the lap of luxury, abused the fame and fortune that came to him, and died bereft of riches,” the Associated Press said of him in its obituary.  

He fought professionally until he was 60, finishing with a career record of 73 wins, 13 losses and 10 draws. 

He was inducted into the Boxing Hall of Fame in 1954.

Efforts to grant him a presidential pardon began in 2008 with a bill that passed the House of Representatives, but not the Senate. The main reason cited in efforts that continued through other petitions: his conviction was racially motivated -- and the incident for which he was arrested took place before the Mann Act became law.

Actor Sylvester Stallone was among those who campaigned in Johnson's favor. Stallone was present at the Oval Office ceremony in which President Trump signed the official pardon.

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