Lawmakers contend Johnson's conviction was racially motivated

FILE - This undated file shows boxer Jack Johnson, who was born in Galveston, Texas. Johnson became the first African American to win the world champion heavyweight boxing title. He had approximately 113 bouts, only six losses and was inducted into the Boxing Hall of Fame in 1954. Lawmakers are going another round in their fight to get a posthumous presidential pardon for Johnson, who was imprisoned nearly a century ago because of his romantic ties with a white woman. (AP Photo/File) (CP)

WASHINGTON -- Lawmakers seeking a presidential pardon for Jack Johnson, the world's first black heavyweight boxing champion imprisoned a century ago for his romantic relationships with white women, renewed their efforts on Tuesday.

Sens. Harry Reid, D-Nev., John McCain, R-Ariz., and and William (Mo) Cowan, D-Mass., joined Rep. Peter King, R-N.Y., to reintroduce a resolution urging President Barack Obama to pardon Johnson because he was wronged by a racially motivated conviction.

Johnson, a native of Galveston, Texas, was convicted of violating the Mann Act, which made it illegal to transport women across state lines for immoral purposes.

He was hated by many white Americans, especially after retaining his title by defeating white boxer Jim Jeffries in the 1910 "Fight of the Century." Johnson's victory infuriated whites, sparking deadly race riots across the country.

Authorities first targeted his relationship with Lucille Cameron, who later became his wife. She refused to co-operate. They then turned to Johnson's former mistress, a prostitute named Belle Schreiber, to testify that Johnson had paid her train fare from Pittsburgh to Chicago, for immoral purposes. An all-white jury convicted Johnson in 1913, and he skipped bail and fled the country. But in 1920 Johnson agreed to return and serve his sentence.

-- The Associated Press

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