Black Fact = 1902 (May 12) – Joe Gans became the first black lightweight champion on this date in 1902. Joe Gans, byname of Joseph Gaines, (born November 25, 1874, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.—died August 10, 1910, Baltimore), American professional boxer, known as the Old Master, who was perhaps the greatest fighter in the history of the lightweight division. Because he was black, he was compelled by boxing promoters to permit less-talented white fighters to last the scheduled number of rounds with him and occasionally to defeat him. He was also forced to fight at unnaturally low weights, and, perhaps as a result, he was so weakened that he contracted tuberculosis and died while a young man.
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