The Fight of the Century
Reno, Washoe County, Nevada
Marker Inscription
The Fight Of The Century. On this site on July 4, 1910, Reno hosted ‘The Fight of the Century,” a heavyweight championship boxing match between John Arthur Jack Johnson, the African American title holder, and James J. ‘Jim’ Jeffries, a former champion seeking to regain the title he had vacated in 1904. Jeffries had refereed a previous championship bout between Marvin Hart and Jack Root at this site on July 3, 1905, but the promotion of the ex-champion as “The Great White Hope’ focused worldwide attention on his 1910 contest with the talented Johnson, known as the “Galveston Giant.” Gamblers had their money on Jeffries, but Johnson easily handled his opponent and Jeffries’ trainers called the fight in the fifteenth round to save their man from the disgrace of a knockout.Organized by famed promoter Tex Rickard, the fight brought over 30,000 fans to Reno, some 22,000 of whom packed the arena here on the day of the fight.
Erected by The Washoe County Historical Societythe Nevada Corral Westerners International
The Story
On July 4, 1910, Reno hosted the heavyweight championship billed as "The Fight of the Century," pitting the reigning African American champion Jack Johnson against former titleholder Jim Jeffries, who had been promoted as "The Great White Hope." Organized by promoter Tex Rickard, the bout drew over 30,000 fans to a purpose-built arena, and Johnson dominated so thoroughly that Jeffries' corner stopped the fight in the fifteenth round. Johnson's victory over the racially charged challenge made headlines — and sparked unrest — around the world.
Why it matters
Johnson's win shattered the myth of white physical supremacy at a moment of rigid segregation, making the fight a landmark in the long struggle over race in American public life.
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Related people
- · Jack Johnson
- · James J. Jeffries
- · Tex Rickard
Related events
- · The Fight of the Century
Themes & tags
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