Johnson 's real crime , in the eyes of many , was committed three years earlier , when he successfully defended his boxing title against Jim Jeffries , a white boxer who came to be called the `` Great White Hope '' because many white fans saw him as the best chance to wrest back a boxing title from the African-American champ . Heavyweight champ Jack Johnson was arrested around 1908 . Hide Caption 8 of 11
Heavyweight champ Jack Johnson was arrested around 1908 . Hide Caption 8 of 11