Long before Jackie Robinson broke baseball's color barrier, boxer Jack Johnson became the first African-American to obtain the world heavyweight title. This documentary tracks the life of the trailblazing boxer, from his early days as the son of former slaves to his rise through the ranks of a traditionally all-white sport, culminating with the 39-year-old's achievement of the prestigious title in 1908.

• 3 hr 36 min
• Directed by

  Ken Burns
• Written by Geoffrey C. Ward

• Starring

  Keith David

  ,

  Stanley Crouch

  ,

  Samuel L. Jackson

  ,

  James Earl Jones

  ,

  Jack Newfield

  ,

  Alan Rickman