Joe Gans facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Joe Gans |
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| Statistics | |
| Real name | Joseph Gant |
| Nickname(s) | Old Master |
| Rated at | Lightweight |
| Height | 5 ft 6+1⁄2 in (1.69 m) |
| Reach | 71 in (180 cm) |
| Nationality | American |
| Born | November 25, 1874 Baltimore, Maryland, U.S. |
| Died | August 10, 1910 (aged 35) Baltimore, Maryland, U.S. |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Boxing record | |
| Total fights | 197 |
| Wins | 157 |
| Wins by KO | 100 |
| Losses | 12 |
| Draws | 22 |
| No contests | 6 |
Joe Gans (born Joseph Gant; November 25, 1874 – August 10, 1910) was an amazing boxer from America. Many boxing experts, like Nat Fleischer, who started Ring Magazine, thought he was the best lightweight boxer ever. People called him the "Old Master". He made history by becoming the first African-American world boxing champion in the 1900s. Joe Gans held the lightweight title from 1902 to 1908, defending it 15 times against 13 different boxers. He was honored in the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1990.
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Joe Gans' Boxing Career
Joe Gans started his professional boxing career in early 1891 in Baltimore. He quickly became popular with both white and black fans. People admired his "scientific" way of fighting.
Unlike other boxers who just fought with raw power, Gans had a smart plan. He studied his opponents' strengths and weaknesses. He often faced tough challenges and unfair rules in his fights. For example, three times in 1895, he had to fight an extra round after the match was supposed to be over.
In one fight against Johnny Van Heest, Gans had clearly won by the eighth round. But the referee made them fight an extra round. Even though Van Heest didn't do well in that round, he was given the win. In another fight, against Bobby Dobbs, Gans had to knock Dobbs out in 10 rounds. If he didn't, he would get less money. Dobbs gave up in the 14th round, saying his hand hurt.
Gans was a slender man, never weighing more than 137 pounds. He often fought boxers who were much heavier than him. This made his "scientific" fighting style even more famous. He was truly a student of boxing, which earned him the nickname “Old Master.”
Two Fights in One Day
On January 7, 1895, Joe Gans showed how tough he was. First, he knocked out Samuel Allen in just three rounds. Right after that, Allen's helper, Bud Brown, challenged Gans to another fight. Gans accepted! He then won against Brown in a 10-round match.
Winning World Titles
On March 3, 1900, Joe Gans fought for his first title against lightweight champion Frank Erne. Gans had to stop fighting in the twelfth round because of an eye injury. He lost that fight.
However, two years later, Gans got his rematch against Frank Erne in Canada. This time, Gans knocked Erne out in the very first round! He won the world lightweight title in a very impressive way. This made Joe Gans the first African-American boxing champion ever. He was also the first black boxer to win a world title since George Dixon in 1892 and Barbados Joe Walcott in 1901. Gans held his champion title from 1902 to 1908.
On January 6, 1902, Gans also beat former World Welterweight Champion Eddie Connolly. Connolly lost in a five-round fight in Philadelphia. A reporter said Connolly mostly tried to hug and wrestle Gans, not box him. Connolly was trying to protect himself from Gans' strong punches. The referee stopped the fight in the fifth round because Connolly was almost helpless.
Gans successfully defended his Lightweight World Title against many other skilled boxers. These included Steve Crosby, Gus Gardiner, Charley Sieger, Kid McPartland, Rufe Turner, Charles "Elbows" McFadden, and Frank Erne.
Famous Fight Against Battling Nelson
One of his most important title defenses was against Oscar "Battling" Nelson on September 3, 1906. This fight lasted an amazing 42 rounds in Goldfield, Nevada! It was such a big event that it was later honored with a special memorial.
Fights with Mike Sullivan
On September 15, 1905, Gans had a 15-round fight with Mike "Twin" Sullivan. It was planned to be a draw, meaning no one would win. Many people thought Sullivan actually deserved to win. But in their next two fights, Gans beat Sullivan by knockout in January and March of 1906.
Even though Sullivan was heavier, Gans showed his amazing skill by beating him. Gans earned a lot of money from these fights, especially since he reportedly bet on himself and won!
Losing the Title to Battling Nelson
Joe Gans and Battling Nelson fought again for the World Lightweight title twice in 1908. Gans lost the first fight by knockout in the 17th round. This ended his long time as champion. He then lost the rematch by knockout in the 21st round.
Draw with Barbados Joe Walcott
On September 30, 1904, Gans fought Barbados Joe Walcott to a 20-round draw. Walcott hurt his left arm during the fight, making it hard for him to continue. The referee thought Walcott was more aggressive, even though Gans was more clever.
Joe Gans' Final Years
Joe Gans sadly passed away on August 10, 1910, at the age of 35. He died from tuberculosis. He is buried in Mount Auburn Cemetery (Baltimore, Maryland) in Baltimore. His gravestone is looked after by the International Boxing Commission.
His monument has a quote from him: "I was born in the city of Baltimore in the year 1874, and it might be well to state at this time that my right name is Joseph Gant, not Gans. However, when I became an object of newspaper publicity, some reporter made a mistake and my name appeared as Joe Gans, and as Joe Gans it remained ever since."
Joe Gans' Legacy and Honors
Joe Gans finished his professional boxing career with an amazing record: 145 wins (100 by knockout!), 10 losses, 16 draws, and 6 no contests. He was honored by being inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1990.
There is a bronze statue of Joe Gans at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Boxers today often touch the statue's outstretched left fist for good luck before their matches.
His legendary 42-round fight against Battling Nelson on September 3, 1906, is remembered with a memorial in Goldfield, Nevada, where the fight took place.
Joe Gans was a true pioneer. He was the first African-American to win a World Boxing Championship and the first to win a Lightweight Boxing title. His achievements were not just new records; they gave hope to African Americans during a time of racial segregation in the early 1900s. Joe Gans showed that success was possible even against tough odds.
Boxing historian Nat Fleischer, who founded Ring Magazine, called Joe Gans the greatest lightweight boxer of all time.
One boxing historian wrote that Gans "showed through his ring accomplishments what others could only talk about." His success helped spread the idea of social equality to many people through newspapers and religious writings.
Joe Gans in Movies and Books
Motion Picture
The second Gans-Nelson fight in Colma, California, was so famous that it was made into a four-reel motion picture. This movie was shown in big cities all over the country.
Hemingway Connection
Famous writer Ernest Hemingway included Joe Gans as a character in his short story 'A Matter of Colour' in 1916. This early story helped set the stage for Hemingway's well-known story 'The Killers' in 1927.
Images for kids
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Joe Gans
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Portrait of Gans
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Joe Walcott vs. Joe Gans
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A four-reel motion picture of the second Gans-Nelson fight in Colma, California, was shown in theaters across the country. Above, reporter-artist Marguerite Martyn sketched her impression of women watching the film in St. Louis, Missouri, in October 1908.
