Bush urged to pardon champion

BOXING legend Jack Johnson may be granted a presidential pardon over a conviction - now seen as racially motivated - that saw him jailed for a year.

Johnson was the first black world heavyweight boxing champion after winning the title in 1908.

He served nearly a year in prison for transporting white women across US state lines for immoral purposes in 1913. He died in 1946.

Now the US Congress is urging President George W Bush to issue a pardon.

A resolution says his imprisonment was "racially motivated".

A similar resolution, sponsored by presidential candidate John McCain, is to go before the Senate.

Have your say on the latest news and sport in our Forums

Find your new car:

Make

Model

Located in

Get involved...