I was thinking about the opportunities black challengers had to contest the titles in the 2 heaviest divisions. Here I'm thinking specifically of the light heavyweights. How many black boxers challenged for the175lbs title before 1940? Was John Henry Lewis the first? How many merited title shots, but did not get them from 1900-1940? Kid Norfolk?
Al Gainer fought John Henry Lewis for the title. Tiger Jack Fox fought Melio Bettina for the NY version of the title.
Not as bad as you might think actually. There were relatively few good black light heavyweights in the 20s and 30s, and most of them seem to have got some sort of opportunity.
The ratings tend to support your statement. I wonder why Kid Norfolk never got a title shot ,if it was just a black prejudicial thing?
Some of the best white light heavyweights were having trouble getting a shot then as well. It might have been more a case of weaker champions holding the title hostage.
