John Henry Lewis

John Henry Lewis ( born May 1, 1914 in Los Angeles, † May 18, 1974 ) was an American boxer. He was the first black world champion in the light heavyweight division.

Career

His great-great uncle was the legendary Tom Molineaux of the first black against the English champions ( and unofficial world champion ) Tom Cribb took.

He was (not yet listed first fighting in the balance sheet) with professional as welterweight. In 1932 he beat Jim Braddock in San Francisco and just going down to Maxie Rosenbloom. The following year, he struck Rosenbloom twice, but lost the encounters four and five. Also Braddock won a rematch.

But an eye injury bothered him and he was nearing end of his career. As it became known offered him his friend Joe Louis in 1939 to a lucrative heavyweight world championship fight. There, Lewis was but a chance and went in the first round KO. Then he stopped.

1994 Lewis was induction into the International Boxing Hall of Fame.