This Day in Black History: July 3, 1861

Boxer Peter Jackson, nicknamed "The Prince," was born.
By Britt Middleton
Posted: 07/03/2012 07:00 AM EDT
Filed Under Boxing, Peter Jackson, Sports News, This Day in Black History

Peter the Prince Jackson born on July 3, 1861

On July 3, 1861, Boxer Peter "The Prince" Jackson, who later went on to gain international fame, was born in Christiansted, a town on the island of Saint Croix. After moving to Australia as a child, Jackson got his start boxing there in 1882 when he stopped a shipboard mutiny. His defense skills attracted fight promoters from around the country, and in 1886, Jackson won the Australian heavyweight title by knocking out Tom Leeds in the 30th round.  Because few white fighters agreed to face Jackson, he left Australia for the United States.

On May 21, 1891, Jackson famously went 61 rounds with James "Gentleman Jim" Corbett in a bout eventually ruled as a draw. He traveled to England in 1892 and won the British Empire championship, but was forced to retire for six years after sustaining three broken ribs and a punctured lung in a separate bout with Frank Slavin. Jackson made a brief return to boxing in 1898, but he never returned to his former glory. On July 13, 1901, at age 40, he died of tuberculosis, which he contracted from his 1892 lung injury.

BET Sports News - Get the latest news and information about African-Americans in sports including weekly recaps, celebrity news and photos of your favorite Black athletes. Click here to subscribe to our newsletter.  

Videos You May Like

Comments

Trends
G.O.O.D. Music •Kanye West •Music Matters •Jay-Z •GOOD Music •Music News •Roc Nation •J. Cole •50 Cent •Dick Cheney •CNN •National News •This Day in Black History •Mark O'Mara •George Zimmerman •Trayvon Martin •tornado •Oklahoma tornadoes •Oklahoma •Oklahoma City •Moore, Oklahoma •Sevyn Streeter •106 & Park •Season 6 •The Game •Superfan Sideline Wrap-up •Kirk Franklin •Ray J •African Union •Global News •

How You Can Help the Victims in Oklahoma

The Red Cross, Salvation Army and more ways to give. 05/21/2013

Survive Allergy Season With These Natural Remedies

Get relief without a prescription. 05/22/2013

Export Your Summer Jobs Search

What to know about taking a summer job overseas. 05/21/2013

Out and About: Solange Hits the New Museum in NYC

Plus pics of A$AP Rocky, Amber Rose, Nicki Minaj and more. 05/22/2013

The Rundown: French Montana, Excuse My French

A track-by-track review of the Bronx rapper's debut LP. 05/20/2013

Bump Watch: Celebrity Pregnancy Denials

Bey, Brandy and other stars plagued by baby rumors. 05/21/2013

SEARCH

© 2013 BET Interactive, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Black Entertainment Television LLC. All rights reserved.