Sports History On This Day: June 27

June 27, 1890 – A milestone in sports history occurred in the 19th-century boxing arena. Canadian boxer George Dixon became the first black world champion when he won in a decision over British bantamweight champion Edwin “Nunc” Wallace in 18 rounds in London, England. “Little Chocolate” as he was known is considered one of the best fighters in the history of the bantamweight and featherweight divisions.

It was later in that year he gave up the title, after just one successful defense. George had a plan though as he subsequently fought as a featherweight and then held the championship of that weight class from July 28, 1891, when he KO’d Abe Willis of Australia all the way to losing the belt on October 4, 1897, when he lost a 20-round decision to Solly Smith.