GALVESTON — It’s been a century since Galveston native Jack Johnson went all the way to Sydney, Australia, to win the world heavyweight boxing title.

The victory was significant as it was the first time in the history of professional boxing that a black man had held the title as the world’s best heavyweight boxer.

Boxing enthusiasts and island history buffs will mark the historic victory tonight in Galveston.

Johnson, the flamboyant boxing champion is considered by many as the best heavyweight boxer to have ever entered the ring.

Even as he beat all comers, Johnson was denied time after time a shot at the world title belt because of his skin color.

He mocked and chased after American world champion James Jefferies hoping to get a shot at the title, but Jefferies retired before allowing Johnson his shot.

On Dec. 26, 1908 – ironically celebrated across the British Commonwealth as Boxing Day — Johnson pummeled Canadian world champion Tommy Burns in a bout in Sydney.

So merciless was Johnson in that match that every time Burns appeared to be headed for the canvass, the Galveston native held up his opponent just so he could beat him some more.

As Johnson was about to finish off Burns in the 14th round, police entered the ring and stopped the fight.

A camera recording the match was also ordered shut off before the finishing blow as not to record the historic victory. Officially Johnson was awarded a technical knockout victory over Burns, but many boxing historians believe Johnson actually knocked the champ out cold.

With the title belt, Johnson continued to beat all comers who were billed as the next “Great White Hope.” Even as champion, Johnson was ridiculed and even noted author Jack London called him a subhuman “ape.”

Others said Johnson’s win over Burns was an empty one because he only got the title because Jefferies had retired undefeated. Two years after winning the title belt, Johnson finally got his shot at Jefferies, who had not fought in six years.

On July 4, 1910, Johnson and Jefferies squared off in the “Fight of the Century.”

It was the fight that Johnson was able to silence his critics and gain respectability for black boxers.

Johnson pounded on Jefferies for 15 rounds, knocking him down twice before Jefferies’ corner threw in the towel to prevent a victory by knockout.