Statement of Antonio "Magic Man" Tarver, Heavyweight Fighter

April 6, 2005  

I had hoped to be with you today to talk about my support for a Presidential pardon for Jack Johnson, but was unable to attend because I'm in training. However, I wanted to get on the record with my fellow boxers and members of the professional boxing community on this issue. I appreciate the efforts of Dan Klores Communications, Representative Peter King, Joint Association of Boxers, and Ken Burns and his Committee to Pardon Jack Johnson, to help make this pardon a reality. 

Without Jack Johnson, there wouldn't be an Antonio Tarver, or any other prominent African-American boxer. Yet Jack Johnson was not only a pioneer in the ring, but outside of it. Here was a strong, black, articulate man with style, dignity, who spoke his mind, and who would not be denied from achieving his dreams. He was a self-defined man and would not let anyone else tell him how to live his life. Jack was about living as a free man. When you consider the times and circumstances he was under in the early 1900s, I have the highest respect and admiration for the man. He was a true hero who had unfound bold courage not only in the ring, but outside it also.

I wonder sometimes how he made it through all his trials and tribulations, but he did it, paving the way for all of us to be in the public eye and making money, without the repercussions he had to face when he did the same thing—and he kept smiling while doing it. He deserves this pardon and the respect that the pardon signifies. I thank all the members of Congress who have gotten on board with the effort to bring this resolution to the floor of the House of Representatives.  We all need to join together and let our voices be heard so the government will pardon Jack Johnson.  He truly was the American dream.

Thank you.
 

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