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Joe Gans

1874–1910

United States

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Biography

Joe Gans (born Joseph Saifus Butts; November 25, 1874 – August 10, 1910) was an American professional boxer. Gans was rated the greatest lightweight boxer of all time by boxing historian and Ring Magazine founder Nat Fleischer. Known as the "Old Master," Gans became the first African-American world boxing champion of the 20th century, reigning continuously as world lightweight champion from 1902 to 1908, defending the title 15 times against 13 other boxers.

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Wikipedia contributors — original record ↗

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Biography text · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Source checked 2026-10-13

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