Peter Jackson (boxer) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Peter Jackson |
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Peter Jackson in 1889
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| Statistics | |
| Real name | Peter Jackson |
| Nickname(s) | Peter the Great, Black Prince |
| Rated at | Heavyweight |
| Height | 6ft 1+1/2 in |
| Born | 3 July 1861 Christiansted, Saint Croix, Danish West Indies |
| Died | 13 July 1901 (aged 40) Roma, Queensland, Australia |
| Boxing record | |
| Total fights | 105 |
| Wins | 57 |
| Wins by KO | 29 |
| Losses | 5 |
| Draws | 15 |
| No contests | 28 |
Peter Jackson (born July 3, 1861 – died July 13, 1901) was a famous Australian heavyweight boxer. He was known around the world for his amazing skills in the ring. Peter Jackson was so good that he was added to the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1990. He also joined the Australian National Boxing Hall of Fame in 2004, recognized as a true pioneer of the sport.
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Peter Jackson's Early Life
Peter Jackson was born in Christiansted on the island of Saint Croix. At that time, this island was part of the Danish West Indies, which are now called the U.S. Virgin Islands. His family originally came from Montego Bay, Jamaica. His father, also named Peter Jackson, worked in a warehouse. His grandfather had been a freed slave, meaning he was no longer enslaved.
Peter was born a free man and was a Danish citizen before he became an Australian citizen. He went to primary school and then became a sailor. When he was 14, he started working on ships in the Sydney Docks in Australia. One day, he used his strength to stop a mutiny (a rebellion by the crew). This event made him well-known and caught the attention of Larry Foley, a boxing trainer. This is how Peter Jackson's boxing career began!
Peter Jackson's Professional Boxing Career
Peter Jackson quickly became a top boxer. In 1886, he won the Australian heavyweight title. He knocked out his opponent, Tom Lees, in the 30th round! Jackson learned a lot from "The Black Diamond" Jack Dowridge, a boxer from Barbados who helped start boxing in Queensland, Australia.
After becoming famous in Australia, Jackson moved to America in 1888. There, he beat "Old Chocolate" Godfrey to win the World Colored Heavyweight Championship. This was a special title for black boxers at a time when racial barriers were common in sports. Peter Jackson was known as a very "scientific" boxer. This meant he had great footwork and excellent technical skills.
After a year in America, Jackson traveled to Great Britain. He fought Jem Smith for the first British Commonwealth title. Jackson won because Smith used wrestling moves, which was against the rules. Later that year, in Dublin, Jackson challenged anyone to stay in the ring with him for four rounds. A young boxer named Peter Maher accepted the challenge. Jackson easily beat him in just three rounds.
Peter Jackson tried many times to fight the world champion, John L. Sullivan. However, Sullivan refused to fight him. Sullivan claimed he would never fight a black man, which was a sad example of the racial discrimination (called the color bar) that existed back then.
One of Jackson's most famous fights was against future world champion James J. Corbett on May 21, 1891. This fight lasted an incredible 61 rounds! Both boxers were so tired that the match was declared a "no contest," meaning neither person won.
Jackson also fought his rival, Frank Slavin. Both boxers had trained under Larry Foley, and they had a long-standing disagreement. Jackson won this fight with a knockout in the 10th round.
After taking a break, Jackson fought a very strong boxer named James J. Jeffries. Jeffries would later become a world champion. Jackson lost this fight, and it was one of his last major matches.
Life After Boxing
Peter Jackson became quite famous during his time in America. He wanted to act in a play called Othello, but it never happened. However, he did star in a traveling show of Uncle Tom's Cabin.
Even with his fame, Peter Jackson faced money problems after he stopped boxing. His health quickly got worse after his fight with Jeffries, and he couldn't box anymore. Friends and fans held events to raise money to help him return to Australia.
Peter Jackson sadly died from tuberculosis (a serious lung disease) in Roma, Queensland, Australia. He was buried in Toowong Cemetery. Years later, in 1908, the first black heavyweight world champion, Jack Johnson, visited Jackson's grave. This shows how much respect Peter Jackson earned from boxers and people all over the world. His tombstone has a powerful message: "This was a man."
Images for kids
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Gravesite of Peter Jackson at Toowong Cemetery
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Peter Jackson and James Corbett
See also
- List of heavyweight boxing champions
