Joe Jeanette

Joe Jeanette (b.1879 - d.1958) of North Bergen, N.J. was a famous professional boxer of the early 20th century. Of 166 documented pro fights during a career spanning 1904-1922, Jeanette had 106 wins, 68 of which were by knockout, with 20 losses. Only two of his losses were by knockout, once early in his career and once late in his career. He is rated alongside the very best boxers of his era, including Jack Johnson, Sam Langford and Sam McVey, as a dangerous fighter with whom very few wanted to tangle.

Related Topics:
North Bergen, N.J. - 20th century - Jack Johnson - Sam Langford - Sam McVey

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Jeanette began boxing professionally at age 25. Because of the color of his skin, Jeanette encountered the unspoken social glass ceiling of opportunity that greatly hampered black aspirations to the heavyweight title in the boxing. Consequently, he never fought for the heavyweight championship during his 15-year career despite having a stellar record against opponents of all races.

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Because he spent the majority of his career at the top of his division alongside fighters like Johnson and Langford, Jeanette fought them many times. He fought the future heavyweight champion Johnson seven times in his first two years as a pro. His record against Johnson was one win (by disqualification), one loss, and four "no decision" bouts. Jeanette fought Langford 15 times.

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Joe's most memorable fight occurred in April, 1909 in a return bout with Sam McVey in Paris, France that last three-and-a-half-hours. Through the first half of the fight, the usually sturdy Jeannette was knocked down 27 times. McVey began the fight strong and looked like a sure winner, but weakened greatly by the 19th round. Jeanette got stronger and took control, knocking down McVey, a boxer who had only been stopped once in his career, by Johnson, 19 times. After the 49th round, McVey could not rise from his stool at the call of time and Jeannette was declared winner on a technical knockout. This won him the "colored heavyweight title," as Jack Johnson had defeated Tommy Burns for his heavyweight title the previous December.

Related Topics:
Paris, France - Technical knockout - Tommy Burns

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Unlike many boxers, Jeanette was not a spendthrift and invested his money and time wisely. He spent most of his career fighting in and around the eastern seaboard, with only brief tours of Europe. After his career, he became a trainer of young boxers and ran a gym in New Jersey, where he was a fixture on the boxing scene for many years.

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