Chris Eubank Sr picked Jack Johnson as the greatest boxer of all time. The former world champion shared his choice in a recent video on his YouTube channel, surprising many who expected a more common pick like Muhammad Ali.
Eubank Sr, known for his views on nobility in boxing both in and out of the ring, recently returned to the spotlight as the corner man for his son's match against Conor Benn. He explained his decision to name Johnson as the greatest, citing the extreme challenges the fighter faced.
There are numerous, Jack Johnson has to be said to be the greatest of all time, okay, and that's because he was fighting in time where you had an insanity at play all the time, which was this racism, this slavery.
Johnson, also known as the "Galveston Giant," became the first Black heavyweight world champion. He achieved this feat during a time when Black boxers could only fight for the 'coloured heavyweight championship', not the world championship. His career spanned 94 fights with 68 wins, but his impact reached far beyond the ring.
In 1910, Johnson took part in what was billed as the 'fight of the century' against James J. Jeffries. This match cemented his place in boxing history and helped pave the way for future generations of boxers.
Eubank Sr's choice stands out from the usual debates about the greatest boxer. Many often cite Muhammad Ali for his in-ring achievements, civil rights activism, and stance as a conscientious objector during the Vietnam War. However, Eubank Sr believes Johnson's accomplishments in the face of extreme racism and societal barriers put him above all others.
You can watch Eubank Sr's full explanation on his YouTube channel, where he dives deeper into his reasoning and shares more thoughts on boxing history.
