By Matthew Brown 02/11/2026 Follow Brunch Boxing on Twitter/X Tiger Flowers stood at the intersection of faith, skill, and history. Born Theodore Flowers on February 14, 1895, in Georgia, he became known across the boxing world as the Georgia Deacon. From 1918 to 1927, he built one of the most remarkable careers of his era and became the first African American world middleweight champion. Flowers began his professional career at age 23 after working as a stevedore on the Geor

By Matthew Brown 02/11/2026 Follow Brunch Boxing on Twitter/X Two time WBC lightweight champion Stevie Johnston was one of the finest technicians of his era. Known as “Lil’ But Bad,” the Denver southpaw blended speed, balance, and ring IQ into a style that frustrated elite opponents. At both amateur and professional level, Johnston proved he belonged with the very best. Slick, clever, and precise, Stevie Johnston could box from the outside or trade in close quarters when requ

By Matthew Brown 02/10/2026 Follow Brunch Boxing on Twitter/X He never wore a world championship belt as a fighter. Instead he forged champions with knowledge, discipline, and belief. In the long story of boxing, that legacy endures. Charles Henry Blackburn was born on May 20, 1883 in Versailles, Kentucky, the son of a minister. Known to history as Jack Blackburn and to Joe Louis as Chappie, he built a life in boxing that stretched from the bare knuckle grind of the early 190

By Matthew Brown 02/09/2026 Follow Brunch Boxing on Twitter/X Holman Williams was one of the finest pure boxers of his era, a master technician who built a reputation on skill, intelligence, and precision. Fighting from 1932 to 1948, Williams became a leading contender in the welterweight and middleweight divisions but never received the world title opportunity his talent deserved. His legacy stands as a testament to brilliance that could not be denied, even if it was too oft