Jack Johnson wins again...

Galveston legend Jack Johnson won over 70 fights during his professional boxing career.  His most recent fight, one only his admirers and fans have been able to carry out, may be his biggest.

In 1912, Johnson violated the Mann Act, which was against the "transporting of women across state lines for immoral purposes."  In Johnson's case, it basically boiled down to the fact that he was involved with a white woman.  He was eventually found guilty, but he skipped bail and fled the country.  Johnson lived out of the country with his wife (who was one of the women he illegally "transported") for seven years before he finally turned himself in and served his sentence.  For some time now, several attempts have been made in order to posthumously pardon Johnson of his conviction.

Finally, this week, Congress passed a resolution asking for a Presidential pardon for Johnson.  This means all that is needed i s President Obama's approval.

Locally, Johnson had an abstract statue in M enard Park, but it has since been torn down due to damage.  There are plans to push for a new statue to be placed on the Seawall.  Johnson does have a street named after him.

So.  Here's to Jack Johnson.  BOI.  Boxing legend by choice.