But in 1908, 39 years before Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in major league baseball, there was Jack Johnson ... not for the fact Johnson was the most dominant boxer of his time.

used the boxer's affinity for Johnson to encourage him in the ring. During several of Ali's major fights, Bundini was heard to call from the corner, "Ghost in the house! Ghost in the house! Jack ...

But in 1908, 39 years before Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in major league baseball, there was Jack Johnson ... not for the fact Johnson was the most dominant boxer of his time.