Vintage photo of American boxer Samuel Berger (1884 - 1925) - the first Olympic Heavyweight Champion. Berger, based in San Francisco, won the gold medal at the 1904 St Louis Olympiad following a distinguished amateur career. He turned professional after winning the Olympics but only fought for two years before quitting the ring.


Vintage photo of American boxer Samuel Berger (1884 - 1925) - the first Olympic Heavyweight Champion. Berger, based in San Francisco, won the gold medal at the 1904 St Louis Olympiad following a distinguished amateur career. He turned professional after winning the Olympics but only fought for two years before quitting the ring. Berger later acted as manager and sparring partner for former World Heavyweight Champion James J Jeffries (1875 - 1953) when Jeffries came out of retirement for the so-called "Fight of the Century" against Jack Johnson, the first black World Heavyweight Champion, at Reno, Nevada, on July 4 1910. Jeffries, who had held the title from 1899 to 1905, was soundly beaten and the bout was stopped in the 15th round. Photo taken in 1909.


Size: 2232px × 3001px
Photo credit: © Fistiana / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

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