Jack Johnson take from the pages of Bill Richmond?

[Tao_Moko]

Thanks Dave and Adam. That is the kind of info I'm looking for and now have more leads to follow. Very interested in reading about Jeanette. The "Jew Killer" getting knocked out by a Jewish man. That's good shit. I am really excited to be in the hobby again because of the rich global history of characters and hope I can pick your brains more along the way. I love fighting and miss it. Makes me want to coach and inspire and educate.

[steve B]

From the very little I've read about things, sports outside the US were a lot less divided.
Major Taylor was abused in several ways on and off the track in the US, and sadly had to go overseas to become an international star. Which he did almost instantly.
Bike racing in the late 1800s and very early 1900's was very nearly a combat sport. Don't like a guy or how he beat you last race? Hook his elbow and send him into the rail at 30mph. Some of that remained into the 50's and beyond.
(One of my older customers had a young guy give him all sorts of static about drafting him, along with the "you wish you were 1/10the the cyclist I am" rubbish. After a mile of drafting where the kid couldn't shake him he took a turn in front pushing the pace up every so often. because.. a good chase is fun!
I asked what happened after that
"So we got to that stretch in Bedford where there's hardly anyone, and I hooked his sorry arrogant ass into the dich and went home"
In like 2007 or so.....