But in 1908, 39 years before Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in major league baseball, there was Jack Johnson ... not for the fact Johnson was the most dominant boxer of his time.

Long before Jackie Robinson broke baseball's color barrier, Jack Johnson broke down racial boundaries in the boxing ring. And nearly everywhere else he went. More than a boxer, Johnson was a force ...

Jack Johnson ... and debauchery. Johnson was arrested on November 7, and Judge Kennesaw Mountain Landis (who would one day become the first commissioner of baseball and ensure that the sport ...

refused to fight Johnson or any other black boxer. On May 16, Johnson took on the champion's younger brother, Jack Jeffries. After toying with the younger Jeffries for five rounds, Johnson knocked ...