Joe Jennette in Africa
Joe Jeannette - feared for his lethal left jab
Joe was a "Phenomenal Athlete" he could of played
in any sport today. He was gifted in Baseball,
Basketball, Boxing, Handball and Wrestling. He
was a modern day Jim Thorpe and still till this day
he receives no credit from boxing historians, sports
writers and most of all, people who don't take the
facts as truth. It's a crying shame, someone like
Arthur Ashe had Jack Johnson as his hero and the
irony of all, Mike Tyson having Arthur Ashe as his
hero. When in fact, Joe fought the same
discrimination, drove automobiles, wore fancy
clothes, knocked out white fighters, owned his own
home and business, smiled a lot and most of all he
married a white woman who he treated with the
utmost respect that any man can treat a woman
whom he loves. Maybe it was his father who was
the backbone of the family, a hard worker and a
loving husband and father but maybe it was his
mother who was born in Bavaria, Germany and yes
she like Joe's wife was white. If someone out there,
like Spike Lee who I admire, made a movie like
Malcolm X maybe then he can make a movie about
Joe. In the end, Joe till the day he died never ever
forgave Jack Johnson.
in any sport today. He was gifted in Baseball,
Basketball, Boxing, Handball and Wrestling. He
was a modern day Jim Thorpe and still till this day
he receives no credit from boxing historians, sports
writers and most of all, people who don't take the
facts as truth. It's a crying shame, someone like
Arthur Ashe had Jack Johnson as his hero and the
irony of all, Mike Tyson having Arthur Ashe as his
hero. When in fact, Joe fought the same
discrimination, drove automobiles, wore fancy
clothes, knocked out white fighters, owned his own
home and business, smiled a lot and most of all he
married a white woman who he treated with the
utmost respect that any man can treat a woman
whom he loves. Maybe it was his father who was
the backbone of the family, a hard worker and a
loving husband and father but maybe it was his
mother who was born in Bavaria, Germany and yes
she like Joe's wife was white. If someone out there,
like Spike Lee who I admire, made a movie like
Malcolm X maybe then he can make a movie about
Joe. In the end, Joe till the day he died never ever
forgave Jack Johnson.
A tremendous Baseball Catcher just like Rocky Marciano
After apprenticing with his blacksmith father, the
young Joe Jeannette became a coal truck driver - an
immensely unfulfilling activity, without doubt, for
one destined for greatness.
In 1904, after strongly considering a career in the
nascent sport of basketball, the 24-year-old
Jeannette tried boxing because, he later said, he
figured it would be more lucrative and far easier
than driving a coal truck.
During his youth he had gained notoriety on the
streets of West Hoboken as a street fighter. But
when Jeannette entered the ring for his first official
fight against Bill Gorman in 1904 - and knocked
him out decisively - he had no idea he had stepped
into the ring of history.
Suddenly, the 5-foot-10, 190-pounder was going
glove to glove with established and up-and-coming
pugilists - all African-Americans, as boxing officials
and white champions forbade blacks to enter the
ring with whites - in quick succession, including
explosive bouts with Jack Johnson, Sam Langford
and Sam McVey.
young Joe Jeannette became a coal truck driver - an
immensely unfulfilling activity, without doubt, for
one destined for greatness.
In 1904, after strongly considering a career in the
nascent sport of basketball, the 24-year-old
Jeannette tried boxing because, he later said, he
figured it would be more lucrative and far easier
than driving a coal truck.
During his youth he had gained notoriety on the
streets of West Hoboken as a street fighter. But
when Jeannette entered the ring for his first official
fight against Bill Gorman in 1904 - and knocked
him out decisively - he had no idea he had stepped
into the ring of history.
Suddenly, the 5-foot-10, 190-pounder was going
glove to glove with established and up-and-coming
pugilists - all African-Americans, as boxing officials
and white champions forbade blacks to enter the
ring with whites - in quick succession, including
explosive bouts with Jack Johnson, Sam Langford
and Sam McVey.
Joe showing his infighting
technique learned as a
wrestler and a street fighter.
technique learned as a
wrestler and a street fighter.
"Hoboken Ironman"
The
The Heart of a Champion
Lion
Heart
"Joe Jennette was a born athlete, he was a
cracker-jack at handball, and likewise, at
basketball, a champion with the light bag,
using both fists and elbows simultaneously,
a top contender for heavyweight honors in
the ring and a specialist in the training of
hundreds of young pugilists. He was one of
the greatest fighters who ever laced on a pair
of gloves"
Eddie Borden
The Ring Magazine
cracker-jack at handball, and likewise, at
basketball, a champion with the light bag,
using both fists and elbows simultaneously,
a top contender for heavyweight honors in
the ring and a specialist in the training of
hundreds of young pugilists. He was one of
the greatest fighters who ever laced on a pair
of gloves"
Eddie Borden
The Ring Magazine
Joe taking the throw from Willie Lewis and making the tag.
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Full Reproduction
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