Did he ever step back into the ring after he was pardoned? Is he free, and clear, or is there some kind of a commission out there still holding a grudge?
I know he wanted to help Joe Louis but Joe's trainer hated Jack Johnson. So Johnson never had the chance.
Just Trump pandering to the African-American vote. No downside for him. He had no genuine feeling for the issues involved. No president before him would do it as they had respect for law even though times have changed. Johnson was guilty as judged by the standards of the time. I admire Johnson for his many accomplishments, including his courage in challenging the racist mores of his era, but I think modern-day people should be allowed to think for themselves rather than allow self-serving demagogues like Trump presume to think for them. I would feel better about the pardon if a less calculating president had issued it.
Little known facts: Johnson lived in Spain, Mexico and France. He was fluent in French and Spanish. (even though he never made it pass grade school. Nat Fleisher founder of Ring magazine claimed until his dying day Jack Johnson was the GOAT HW-- After failing to secure himself as a trainer for Joe Louis (his handlers claimed Joe to stay away, stay humble, no controversy.) Jack was so offended that several Ring Magazine articles quoted him as possibly jealous because he no longer had the spotlight- but those stories revealed prophetic quotes like these: "That Joe has a lot to learn," " He's a mechanical fighter who didn't know how to think in the ring, a "clumsy greenhorn" with an "off-balance stance." Another Ring magazine issue stated "Louis holds his left too low and the first fellow who makes him step back and then throws a right at his chin will knock him out." Johnson bet against Louis, then pissed off his own people because he flaunted his winnings while verbally assaulting Joe. That was exactly the tactic that Schmeling used to send Louis to the canvas three times. This is why I place Jack so high on my P4P mythical list. Had he fought today, he wouldn't have had a 1910 style LOL! Because he looked for weaknesses, exp[loited them tells me Jack today would be not just a strong fighter with a great chin & stamina, but a "thinking" fighter. He also starred in a few silent picture films -hard to find them.
Well Lewis and Wilder would disagree with you as they were there in support of Johnson .. were they there to pander for the African-American vote for Trump as well??
The President is a boxing fan. He and Johnson share the same interests. That being the high life and women. I dare say they would get along really well if they knew each other. Johnson probably would be a Republican today. He likely was in his time as most African Americans were Republicans before welfare. As a guy who has had 100's of lawsuits, Trump was suited to make this call.
I might agree with your statement if it weren't for the fact that DT has devoted much time and effort to HW boxing throughout the 80s and 90s. Millennials like you dont remember that time, but OGs like myself and a few others on this forum do. Anyone who thinks they are a boxing fan should go check out Trumps contributions to the sport.
Ray mercer and other boxers from the 80s and 90s said that Trump always treated the boxers well when he broke the Las Vegas monopoly on big boxing events and made Atlantic City a major boxing player. Both Don King and Mike Tyson still speak highly of Trump to this day though I don’t know whether with those 2 backing him,that is a positive or a negative for Trumps credibility.lol
I'm 69 and I remember very well when Trump associated himself with boxing and even wrestling in the '80s to promote his hotel business, starting at least with Haugen-Pazienza fight. My firm belief is that Trump has never done anything out of conviction other than to promote his own wealth, business, and now politicial interests, and that includes his supposed "love" of boxing.