Joe Gans (25 November 1874 - 10 August 1910) was born Joseph Gant in Baltimore, Maryland. Gans was rated as the greatest lightweight boxer of all time by boxing historian and Ring Magazine founder, Nat Fleischer and was known as the "Old Master." He fought from 1891 to 1909. He was the first African-American World Boxing Champion, reigning continuously as World Lightweight Champion from 1902 to 1908.
Biography in: "The Boxing Register: International Boxing Hall of Fame Official Record Book". Third edition. pp. 108-109. Ithaca, NY: McBooks Press, 2002.
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World lightweight boxing champion, 1902-1904 & 1906-1908.
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Professional boxer. Inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1990.