boxing was quickly becoming one of the nation s most popular diversions. and no fighter dominated the ring more than jack johnson, the world s first black heavyweight champion whose unprecedented run at the top so frightened america that it canvassed for a great white hope. a hope that was dashed when on july 4th, 1910, johnson soundly beat his hand picked white opponent into submission. what was then called the fight of the century. the response from white america was tragically predictable. and anti-black riots ensued across the country and the u.s. congress behind the sale of fight films they banded a band that would last nearly 30 years. the message was clear. the threat of black physical