NBorn in 1878 in Texas, Jack Johnson started boxing very early. The progress of this son of former slaves is dazzling. But, despite his performances, he cannot challenge the heavyweight world champion: Blacks then have no right to claim this title. Johnson's stubbornness eventually paid off: On December 26, 1908, he became the first black title holder by dominating Canadian Tommy Burns. Jack Johnson remains world champion against Stanley Ketchel, then James Jeffries, in a fight organized in Reno in 1910 in front of 22000 spectators. The announcement of this new victory provokes the anger of the white population. Racist attacks are increasing across the country, killing dozens. From now on, the world of boxing is looking for a savior, the great white hope (the “great white hope”) who can restore the shaken superiority of the white man. For his part, Johnson becomes a planetary star. Uncontested in his art and much sought after by the media, he nevertheless frightens deep America. Not because he is the spokesperson for the black community: Deeply individualistic, Johnson remains on the contrary distant from politics. But, he crystallizes racial tensions and leads a dissolute life which largely fuels the various facts. Prosecuted for having married a white woman (a crime in America at the time), Johnson was forced to flee to Canada, then to France. In 1915, he lost his title to Jess Willard in Cuba. Fallen champion, he negotiates his return to the country and serves a prison sentence (for his marriage) before enlisting in the army at the end of the First World War.