Before Ali, before Joe Louis, before Jack Johnson….there was Molineaux
The Legend of Tom Molineaux is a dramatic feature film based on the true life story of an American slave who won his freedom through boxing. After becoming emancipated, former American slave Tom Molineaux journeys to Regency England to fight for the bare-knuckle boxing championship of the world, fully recognizing he must face not only his opponent in the ring, but an entire nation.
Despite his unfair “official” defeat after 39 rounds of bare-knuckle fighting, Tom Molineaux is eventually recognized as the true winner of the 1810 championship fight, and the legend is born of the world’s first black boxing champion. In 1997 The Boxing Hall of Fame inducted Molineaux as a pioneer, finally recognizing his victory and contribution to the sport.