Crossing the Color Line: Stanley Ketchel's Challenge for Jack Johnson's Heavyweight Crown

On November 26, 1908, Stanley Ketchel made pugilistic history when he stopped Billy Papke to become the first two-time middleweight champion. Exactly one month later, Jack Johnson also made history when he beat Tommy Burns to become the first black man to wear the heavyweight crown. Immediately following Johnson's victory, the sporting world began clamoring for someone to win the title back for the white race. Most people turned to Jim Jeffries, the former champion who had retired undefeate...