B H This Day in Black History

May 27

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May 27, 1810

Wild Bill Hickok and Bass Reeves

On December 18, 1810, Tom Molineaux, a formerly enslaved man from Virginia, fought English champion Tom Cribb for the heavyweight boxing championship in London. Though he lost in controversial circumstances, Molineaux is considered the first African American heavyweight champion.

sportscivil-rights
People: Tom Molineaux
Sources
1. Tom Molineaux: The First African American Heavyweight Champion - Smithsonian Magazine2. Tom Molineaux - National Park Service3. The Life and Times of Tom Molineaux - PBS

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