Who did the first African American heavyweight champion boxer lose his world heavyweight title to?

Johnson started his boxing career in a swamp of racism because of his race and because he had a white wife. He became the most well known black man in the world and the most hated black man in the US. He was not really accepted as heavyweight World Champion until the “Fight of the Century” when Jess Willard came out of retirement to prove “that the white man is better than the black man.” Johnson carried Willard through the entire fight until Willard’s handlers threw in the towel to end the fight. Afterwards, Willard said “I was not at my best but I could never have beaten him even at my best. Not in a thousand years.” After the Willard fight, John L. Sullivan and the entire boxing establishment voiced complete respect and acceptance for Johnson as the legitimate World Champion…but the US public never did get past the intense racism and bigotry of the first half of the 20th Century, especially the early era dominated by the “Birth of a Nation” and the Ku Klux Klan. Johnson did, however, pave the way for the later black champion, Joe Louis.

"The Great White Hope" based on this era of boxing.

It took 26 rounds to beat Johnson (in the Cuban sun). Unbelievable punishment. Willard was 6'6" tall--a real giant.

I had no idea so I chose Jack Dempsey,which was the only name I knew.

Had no idea

Johnson was probably the better fighter, but Willard simply wore him down

they certainly a different breed of men, they hardly wore any gloves, and they fought until some one won.

they were a different breed of men back then...bare knuckle and no limit fights were mostly gone, but Jack Johnson and Jess Willard grew up in that era...