Date: TBA
Location: Citywide Event
Information: 1-800-879-8879

Reserve a Room

On July 4, 1910, the fight of the 20th century took place in Reno. The reigning heavyweight champion, Jack Johnson, and former undefeated heavyweight champion James J. Jeffries squared off in Reno for a bout that transcended professional sports. More was on the line that day than just the heavyweight crown. It was a symbolic battle for racial supremacy.

Johnson, the first black heavyweight champion, was matched against Jeffries, who came to be known as the "Great White Hope.” Nearly 100 years have passed, and next summer the professional boxing community, boxing fans, historians, political leaders, and the City of Reno will be celebrating the historic event.

Festivities are currently being organized and will begin on Friday, July 2, 2010. The event opens with the “Jack Johnson Pardon” dinner celebration, multimedia historical presentation Fighting for the Soul of America, a celebrity discussion panel, continuous showing of the original 1910 fight film, and autograph sessions with past heavyweight champions. The celebration continues with the following day's “Breakfast With Champions,” where boxing enthusiasts can eat breakfast with former titleholders, participate in the USA Boxing silent auction, and attend the opening of a Johnson vs. Jeffries memorabilia showroom.

There will also be book signings by various boxing authors, trips to the training camp sites, and a night of live professional boxing. On Sunday, July 4 at the Johnson-Jeffries fight site, a bell-ringing ceremony will take place commemorating the historic battle.

With the recent passing of the Jack Johnson Congressional Resolution, and wide demand for a posthumous pardon for his 1912 violation of the Mann Act, the festivities in Reno will largely be a celebration of the life and career of the legendary fighter.

For more information, please visit www.johnsonjeffries2010.com.