Birth NameJohn Arthur JohnsonDate of Birth31 March 1878Birth TownGalveston, Texas, United States of America The first African American to become the world heavyweight boxing champion. National Inheritance Continue Reading…. Amendment? Our aim is to provide a positive and inspiring account which is why we use multiple sources to ensure the truth is portrayed. If you feel it’s inaccurate or have additional information such as parental heritage and more, Contact Us Related Posts No related posts.