Nobody that drew the colour line should be considered a lineal champion

Joe E,

Johnson drew the color line against the best contenders of his day in Langford, Jeanette, and McVey. While Dempsey or Louis might get some heat for avoiding one black contender during their championship run, it pales in comparison to what Jack Johnson did. Joe Jeanette said it best. " When Jack became champion he drew the color line against his own people. "

 

Seamus and McGrain exposed this thread topic about a page or two into it.

 

Probably because of the blatant hypocrisy of the people using it.

 

1. Greb was not black.
2. Johnson lost to Willard H2H.
3. Langford lost twice to Fred Fulton H2H.
4. Wills lost to Sharkey H2H.
5. Greb and Gibbons split two fights apiece H2H.

 

Even Greb?

"Information received here thru private sources from Harry Greb, who fought Tiger Flowers here last Thursday night, is to the effect that Greb has drawn the color line and will not in the future engage in any fights with black fighters. Greb admits, according to the information, that Flowers is one of the greatest fighters of today."
Toledo News, August 27, 1924

"All efforts to date have been futile.
Greb sticks to his declaration at Fremont - OMIT FLOWERS."
-The Afro American, August 1, 1925

"In a conversation shortly after Harry Greb finished his bout with "Tiger" Flowers, at Fremont, he gave his opinion of the ability of this black boxer. Among other things Greb said was that if Flowers could learn to punch straight, instead of round arm blows, he would beat any boxer in the game. "He is a tough customer," said Greb, and hereafter I draw a color line, "you couldn't get me to go against this fellow again for any amount of money.""
-http://boxrec.com/media/index.php?title=Fight:18768