Joe Gans

Portrait of Gans

Gans started boxing professionally in early 1891. Starting out in the city of Baltimore, he gained many fans within the boxing world, both white and black alike, with his "scientific" approach to fighting.[2]

Unlike the more brutish and adrenaline fueled styles of fighting more prevalent in the time, Gans’ fighting method involved learning an opponent's strengths and weaknesses in order to compete with a gameplan. He fought through much adversity and unfair stipulations for certain fights. On three separate occasions in 1895, after going the distance, he had to fight an extra round. In a fight versus Johnny Van Heest, "Gans had Van Heese whipped to a standstill in the eighth round, but Mr. Daniel Carr, the referee, ordered an extra round. Though Van Heese had none the best of the last round, he was given the decision.[3] Against Bobby Dobbs, "Gans had to stop Dobbs in 10 rounds or get the loser's end of the purse (25 per cent), and also had to pay Dobbs $50 for every round after 10th that the latter was able to stay. Dobbs asked his seconds to throw up the sponge in the middle of the 14th round, claiming a sore hand. Dobbs was down repeatedly, either from knock-downs or going down on his own. In the fight with Buddy King in 1903, they fought in the drizzling rain[4]

A slender man, never weighing over 137 pounds, Gans frequently fought heavier boxers; this adding to the legend of his scientific fighting technique.[5] He became known as a true student of the sport, earning him the nickname “Old Master”.

On March 3, 1900 at the Broadway Athletic Club in New York, Gans quit with an eye injury in the twelfth round and lost via TKO while challenging reigning lightweight champion Frank Erne in Gans' first title fight.

However, in their rematch two years later at International A.C., Fort Erie, Canada, Gans knocked Erne out in one round to convincingly take the world lightweight title. ""In the exchange Gans got both hands to head and Erne seemed a trifle dazed. Gans felt him out with a left shove to the face, drawing blood to nose. Erne seemed dazed and Gans rushed and exchanged, putting right plump on Erne's jaw. Erne fell slowly to the floor with his mouth and nose bleeding, rolled over on his stomach and was counted out before he could attempt to regain his feet." (wire report)"[6] Gans had thus become the first ever African-American boxing champion; he had also become the first black title holder since the Canadian born, George Dixon won the bantamweight world title in 1892 [7] and the island-born Barbados Joe Walcott won the World Welterweight title on December 18, 1901.[8] Gans reigned as champion from 1902 to 1908.

On January 6, 1902, Gans defeated the former World Welterweight Champion Canadian born Eddie Connolly. Connolly lost in a five round bout at the Washington Sports Club in Philadelphia.

One reporter noted that Connolly, "did nothing but hug and wrestle, adding variety to his performance in the third by deliberately trying to butt the Balitmorean (Gans)". The reporter also noted that Connolly clinched frequently and "wrestled" rather than boxed, probably in attempt to protect himself from the fierce assaults of Gans. By the time the referee ended the bout in the fifth, Connolly had been "rendered practically helpless" by the powerful punching of Gans.[9]

Gans also defended his Lightweight World Title against other talented boxers such as Steve Crosby and Gus Gardiner. There was also Charley Sieger, Kid McPartland, Rufe Turner, Charles "Elbows" McFadden, and Frank Erne.

In an important title defense he defeated the "Durable Dane" Oscar "Battling" Nelson in 42 rounds on September 3, 1906 in Goldfield, Nevada. This blockbuster fight, arranged by legendary promoter Tex Rickard, would eventually be honored with a historic memorial.

on September 15, 1905, Gans fought to a 15 round pre-arranged draw with future Welterweight World Championship claimant Mike "Twin" Sullivan. Most people reporting on the fights believed that Sullivan deserved the decision. In an immediate rematch, he defeated Sullivan by knockout on January 19 and March 17, 1906 in San Francisco and Los Angeles and again in March of the same year.

Although recorded as a Welterweight Title match and the bout supposedly had a weight limit set at around 142 pounds (which was estimated to be Sullivan's weigh in), Gans' weigh in was estimated to have been seven or eight pounds lighter. Gans' defeat of the heavier Sullivan, a strong puncher by reputation, showed his mastery in the ring. In this well attended bout, Gans share of the gate was a considerable $2,425.20 and Sullivan's was $1,616.80. Gans reportedly had bet another $1,700 on himself, which if accurate, made his earnings on the fight quite considerable. [10]

Gans and Battling Nelson fought for the World Lightweight title twice in Colma, California: first on July 4 and September 9 of 1908. Gans will lost the first fight by KO in the 17th round of 45, ending his multi year reign, and subsequently lost the immediate rematch via KO in the 21st round of 45.[10]

On September 30, 1904, Gans fought to a 20 round draw against Barbados Joe Walcott. "The San Francisco Chronicle reported that Walcott damaged ligaments in his left arm and that it was "useless from the 4th round on". It was announced before the fight that no title was at stake. Referee Jack Welch gave 7 rounds to Gans, 5 to Walcott, with 8 even, but thought that Walcott's aggressiveness compensated Gans' advantage in cleverness. Shortly after this fight Walcott accidentally shot himself in the hand and was out of action until January 1906."[11]

Joe Gans died on August 10, 1910 of tuberculosis; he was only 35 and had died not long after his final fight. He is buried in Mount Auburn Cemetery (Baltimore, Maryland) in Baltimore. His monument is maintained by the International Boxing Commission and sits just to the left of the main entrance of the cemetery.

It reads: "I was born in the city of Baltimore in the year 1874, and it might be well to state at this time that my right name is Joseph Gant, not Gans. However, when I became an object of newspaper publicity, some reporter made a mistake and my name appeared as Joe Gans, and as Joe Gans it remained ever since."

Joe Walcott vs. Joe Gans

Gans had a final professional record of 145 wins with 100 knockouts, 10 losses, 16 draws, 6 no contests and 19 no decisions (Newspaper Decisions: 13-2-4). He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1990.[12]

A bronze statue of Joe Gans stands in the suite floor at Madison Square Garden but was previously outside of the locker rooms. Modern day boxers would traditionally bump the statue's outstretched left fist for good-luck before matches.[13]

Gans’ legendary fight on September 3, 1906 with Battling Nelson was commemorated with a memorial located in Goldfield, Nevada at the site of the fight.[14]

Gans was the first African-American to win a World Boxing Championship and the first to win a Lightweight Boxing title. Gans' achievements not only set new records, but gave African Americans hope in the early twentieth century. In a time of racial segregation, champion Joe Gans somehow emerged victorious.[15]

Gans was rated the greatest Lightweight boxer of all-time by boxing historian and Ring Magazine founder, Nat Fleischer.

One boxing historian writes about Gans saying: "through his ring accomplishments, Gans put into action what others could only theorize. The articulation of the black quest for social equality reached large audiences through the pulpits, and the most authoritative sermons were published in newspapers and religious quarterlies".[16]

All Newspaper decisions are regarded as “no decision” bouts as they have “resulted in neither boxer winning or losing, and would therefore not count as part of their official fight record."

No.	Result	Record	Opponent	Type	Round, time	Date	Location	Notes
197	Win	145–10–16 (26)	Jabez White	NWS	10	Mar 12, 1909	National S.C., New York
196	Loss	145–10–16 (25)	Battling Nelson	KO	21 (45)	Sep 09, 1908	Mission Street Arena, Colma	For world lightweight title
195	Loss	145–9–16 (25)	Battling Nelson	KO	17 (45)	Jul 04, 1908	Mission Street Arena, Colma	Lost world lightweight title
194	Win	145–8–16 (25)	Rudy Unholz	TKO	11 (20)	May 14, 1908	Coliseum, San Francisco	Retained world lightweight title
193	Win	144–8–16 (25)	Frank Robson	TKO	3 (6)	Apr 01, 1908	National A.C., Philadelphia
192	Win	143–8–16 (25)	Bob Blackburn	KO	3 (5)	Jan 01, 1908	Germania Maennerchor Hall, Baltimore
191	Win	142–8–16 (25)	George Memsic	PTS	20	Sep 27, 1907	Naud Junction Pavilion, Los Angeles	Retained world lightweight title
190	Win	141–8–16 (25)	Jimmy Britt	TKO	6 (20)	Sep 09, 1907	Recreation Park, San Francisco	Retained world lightweight title
189	Win	140–8–16 (25)	Kid Herman	TKO	8 (?)	Jan 01, 1907	Casino A.C. Arena, Tonopah	Retained world lightweight title
188	Win	139–8–16 (25)	Battling Nelson	DQ	42 (?)	Sep 03, 1906	Casino Amphitheatre, Goldfield	Retained world lightweight title
187	Win	138–8–16 (25)	Dave Holly	PTS	20	Jul 23, 1906	Pleasant Beach, Bainbridge Island	Retained world lightweight title
186	Draw	137–8–16 (25)	Jack Blackburn	NWS	6	Jun 29, 1906	National A.C., Philadelphia
185	Draw	137–8–16 (24)	Harry Lewis	NWS	6	Jun 15, 1906	National A.C., Philadelphia
184	Loss	137–8–16 (23)	Willie Lewis	NWS	6	May 18, 1906	Madison Square Garden, New York
183	Win	137–8–16 (22)	Mike "Twin" Sullivan	TKO	10 (20)	Mar 17, 1906	Chutes Park, Los Angeles	Retained world welterweight title claim at 142 lbs Police ordered ref to stop it in 10th.
182	Win	136–8–16 (22)	Mike "Twin" Sullivan	KO	15 (20)	Jan 19, 1906	Woodward's Pavilion, San Francisco	Makes world welterweight title claim at 142lbs
181	Draw	135–8–16 (22)	Mike "Twin" Sullivan	PTS	15	Sep 15, 1905	Lyric Theater, Baltimore	Retained world lightweight title
180	Win	135–8–15 (22)	Rufe Turner	NWS	6	Mar 27, 1905	Washington S.C., Philadelphia
179	Win	135–8–15 (21)	Jimmy Britt	DQ	5 (20)	Oct 01, 1904	Mechanic's Pavilion, San Francisco	Retained world lightweight title
178	Draw	134–8–15 (21)	Barbados Joe Walcott	PTS	20	Sep 30, 1904	Woodward's Pavilion, San Francisco
177	Draw	134–8–14 (21)	Dave Holly	NWS	6	Jun 27, 1904	National A.C., Philadelphia
176	Win	134–8–14 (20)	Sammy Smith	TKO	4 (6)	Jun 13, 1904	National A.C., Philadelphia
175	Win	133–8–14 (20)	Kid Griffo	TKO	7 (15)	Jun 03, 1904	Germania Maennerchor Hall, Baltimore
174	Win	132–8–14 (20)	Jewey Cook	RTD	7 (10)	May 27, 1904	Germania Maennerchor Hall, Baltimore
173	Win	131–8–14 (20)	Sam Bolen	PTS	15	Apr 21, 1904	Germania Maennerchor Hall, Baltimore
172	Win	130–8–14 (20)	Gus Gardner	PTS	10	Mar 28, 1904	Arbelten Hall, Saginaw
171	Win	129–8–14 (20)	Jack Blackburn	PTS	15	Mar 25, 1904	Germania Maennerchor Hall, Baltimore
170	Win	128–8–14 (20)	Mike Ward	TKO	10 (10)	Feb 02, 1904	Light Guard Armory, Detroit
169	Win	127–8–14 (20)	Joe Grim	PTS	10	Jan 22, 1904	Shlegel's Hall, Baltimore
168	Win	126–8–14 (20)	Clarence Connors	TKO	2 (6)	Jan 19, 1904	Mount Clemens
167	Win	125–8–14 20)	Willie Fitzgerald	PTS	10	Jan 12, 1904	Light Guard Armory, Detroit	Retained world lightweight title
166	Loss	124–8–14 (20)	Sam Langford	PTS	15	Dec 08, 1903	Criterion A.C., Boston
165	Win	124–7–14 (20)	Dave Holly	NWS	6	Dec 07, 1903	Washington S.C., Philadelphia
164	Loss	124–7–14 (19)	Jack Blackburn	NWS	6	Nov 02, 1903	Washington S.C., Philadelphia
163	Draw	124–7–14 (18)	Dave Holly	NWS	6	Oct 23, 1903	State A.C., Philadelphia
162	Win	124–7–14 (17)	Eddie Kennedy	NWS	6	Oct 20, 1903	Southern A.C., Philadelphia
161	Win	124–7–14 (16)	Joe Grim	NWS	6	Oct 19, 1903	Washington S.C., Philadelphia
160	Win	124–7–14 (15)	Buddy King	KO	5 (20)	Jul 04, 1903	Old Baseball Park, Butte
159	Win	123–7–14 (15)	Willie Fitzgerald	KO	10 (20)	May 29, 1903	Mechanic's Pavilion, San Francisco
158	Win	122–7–14 (15)	Tom Tracey	TKO	9 (20)	May 13, 1903	Pastime A.C., Portland
157	Win	121–7–14 (15)	Jack Bennett	KO	5 (10)	Mar 23, 1903	Masonic Hall, Allegheny
156	Win	120–7–14 (15)	Steve Crosby	TKO	11 (20)	Mar 11, 1903	Whittington Park, Hot Springs	Retained world lightweight title
155	Win	119–7–14 (15)	Gus Gardner	DQ	11 (20)	Jan 01, 1903	Casino, New Britain	Retained world lightweight title
154	Draw	118–7–14 (15)	Charley Sieger	PTS	10	Dec 31, 1902	Criterion A.C., Boston	Pre-arranged draw if lasting the distance.
153	Win	118–7–13 (15)	Howard Wilson	TKO	3 (20)	Dec 19, 1902	Scituate Athletic Club, Scituate
152	Win	117–7–13 (15)	Charley Sieger	TKO	14 (20)	Nov 14, 1902	Germania Maennerchor Hall, Baltimore	Retained world lightweight title
151	Win	116–7–13 (15)	Dave Holly	NWS	10	Oct 14, 1902	Maennerchor Hall, Lancaster
150	Win	116–7–13 (14)	Kid McPartland	KO	5 (20)	Oct 13, 1902	International A.C., Fort Erie	Retained world lightweight title
149	Win	115–7–13 (14)	Jack Bennett	KO	2 (6)	Sep 22, 1902	Golden Gate A.C., Philadelphia
148	Win	114–7–13 (14)	Gus Gardner	KO	5 (20)	Sep 17, 1902	Music Hall, Baltimore
147	Win	113–7–13 (14)	Rufe Turner	TKO	15 (15)	Jul 24, 1902	Acme A.C., Oakland	Retained world lightweight title
146	Win	112–7–13 (14)	George "Elbows" McFadden	TKO	3 (20)	Jun 27, 1902	Woodward's Pavilion, San Francisco	Retained world lightweight title
145	Win	111–7–13 (14)	St Mary's County Bully	DQ	3 (4)	May 29, 1902	Monumental Theater, Baltimore
144	Win	110–7–13 (14)	Charles Boyer	TKO	2 (4)	May 28, 1902	Monumental Theater, Baltimore
143	Win	109–7–13 (14)	Edward Snowden	KO	2 (4)	May 28, 1902	Monumental Theater, Baltimore
142	Win	108–7–13 (14)	Joe Burke	RTD	2 (4)	May 27, 1902	Monumental Theater, Baltimore
141	Win	107–7–13 (14)	Frank Erne	KO	1 (20)	May 12, 1902	International A.C., Fort Erie	Won world lightweight title
140	Win	106–7–13 (14)	Jack Bennett	KO	5 (20)	Mar 27, 1902	Ford Opera House, Baltimore
139	Win	105–7–13 (14)	Jack Ryan	TKO	4 (15)	Mar 07, 1902	Keystone A.C., Allentown
138	Win	104–7–13 (14)	George "Elbows" McFadden	NWS	6	Feb 17, 1902	Penn Art Club, Philadelphia
137	Win	104–7–13 (13)	Eddie Connolly	DQ	5 (6)	Jan 06, 1902	Washington S.C., Philadelphia
136	Win	103–7–13 (13)	Tom Broderick	KO	6 (20)	Jan 01, 1902	Germania Maennerchor Hall, Baltimore
135	Win	102–7–13 (13)	Joe Youngs	TKO	4 (6)	Dec 30, 1901	Washington S.C., Philadelphia
134	Win	101–7–13 (13)	Bobby Dobbs	TKO	14 (20)	Dec 13, 1901	Germania Maennerchor Hall, Baltimore
133	Win	100–7–13 (13)	Billy Moore	KO	3 (20)	Nov 22, 1901	Eureka Athletic Club, Baltimore
132	Win	99–7–13 (13)	Jack Hanlon	KO	2 (20)	Nov 15, 1901	Germania Maennerchor Hall, Baltimore
131	Win	98–7–13 (13)	Dan McConnell	KO	3 (8)	Oct 04, 1901	Germania Maennerchor Hall, Baltimore
130	Win	97–7–13 (13)	Joe Handler	TKO	1 (20)	Sep 30, 1901	Trenton A.C., Trenton
129	Win	96–7–13 (13)	Steve Crosby	TKO	12 (20)	Sep 20, 1901	Germania Maennerchor Hall, Baltimore
128	Draw	95–7–13 (13)	Steve Crosby	PTS	20	Aug 23, 1901	Music Hall, Louisville	For world colored lightweight title
127	Win	95–7–12 (13)	Harry Berger	NWS	6	Jul 15, 1901	Ford Opera House, Baltimore
126	Win	95–7–12 (12)	Kid Thomas	NWS	6	Jul 15, 1901	Ford Opera House, Baltimore
125	Win	95–7–12 (11)	Jack Donahue	TKO	2 (6)	Jul 15, 1901	Ford Opera House, Baltimore
124	Win	94–7–12 (11)	Bobby Dobbs	KO	7 (20)	May 01, 1901	Eureka Athletic Club, Baltimore
123	Win	93–7–12 (11)	Martin Flaherty	TKO	4 (20)	Apr 01, 1901	Ford's Theater, Baltimore
122	Win	92–7–12 (11)	Wilmington Jack Daly	DQ	5 (20)	Feb 13, 1901	Music Hall, Baltimore
121	Loss	91–7–12 (11)	Terry McGovern	KO	2 (6)	Dec 13, 1900	Tattersall's, Chicago
120	Win	91–6–12 (11)	Kid Parker	KO	4 (10)	Nov 16, 1900	Colorado A.C., Denver
119	Win	90–6–12 (11)	Jimmy Kelly	TKO	8 (10)	Oct 19, 1900	Colorado A.C., Denver
118	Win	89–6–12 (11)	Otto Sieloff	KO	9 (10)	Oct 16, 1900	Olympic A.C., Denver
117	Win	88–6–12 (11)	Alec Johnson	KO	1 (5)	Oct 11, 1900	Leadville Athletic Club, Leadville
116	Win	87–6–12 (11)	Bird Leg Collins	TKO	4 (5)	Oct 11, 1900	Leadville Athletic Club, Leadville
115	Win	86–6–12 (11)	Joe Youngs	PTS	10	Oct 05, 1900	Colorado A.A., Denver
114	Draw	85–6–12 (11)	George "Elbows" McFadden	PTS	10	Oct 02, 1900	Olympic A.C., Denver
113	Win	85–6–11 (11)	George "Elbows" McFadden	NWS	6	Sep 07, 1900	Penn Art Club, Philadelphia
112	Win	85–6–11 (10)	Dal Hawkins	KO	3 (25)	Aug 31, 1900	Broadway A.C., New York
111	Win	84–6–11 (10)	Whitey Lester	KO	4 (20)	Jul 12, 1900	Ford Opera House, Baltimore
110	Win	83–6–11 (10)	Young Griffo	TKO	8 (25)	Jul 10, 1900	Seaside A.C., Coney Island
109	Win	82–6–11 (10)	Barney Furey	KO	9 (15)	Jun 26, 1900	People's Theater, Cincinnati
108	Win	81–6–11 (10)	Dal Hawkins	KO	2 (25)	May 25, 1900	Broadway A.C., New York
107	Win	80–6–11 (10)	Chicago Jack Daly	TKO	5 (6)	Apr 01, 1900	Broadway A.C., Brooklyn
106	Loss	79–6–11 (10)	Frank Erne	TKO	12 (25)	Mar 23, 1900	Broadway A.C., Brooklyn	For world lightweight title Gans asked to have the bout stopped after being cut by an accidental head-butt.
105	Win	79–5–11 (10)	Spike Sullivan	TKO	14 (25)	Feb 09, 1900	Broadway A.C., Brooklyn
104	Draw	78–5–11 (10)	Kid McPartland	PTS	6	Dec 22, 1899	Star Theatre, Chicago
103	Win	78–5–10 (10)	Kid Ash	PTS	15	Dec 11, 1899	Robinson Opera House, Cincinnati
102	Win	77–5–10 (10)	Steve Crosby	PTS	6	Nov 11, 1899	Star Theatre, Chicago
101	Win	76–5–10 (10)	George "Elbows" McFadden	PTS	25	Oct 31, 1899	Broadway A.C., Brooklyn
100	Win	75–5–10 (10)	Martin Judge	PTS	25	Oct 11, 1899	Germania Maennerchor Hall, Baltimore
99	Draw	74–5–10 (10)	Wilmington Jack Daly	NWS	6	Oct 07, 1899	Nonpareil A.C., Philadelphia
98	Win	74–5–10 (9)	Jimmy Kelly	PTS	25	Oct 03, 1899	Lenox A.C., New York
97	Win	73–5–10 (9)	Martin Judge	PTS	12 (20)	Sep 15, 1899	Music Hall, Baltimore	Police stopped the fight at the end of the 12th round on account of foul work in the clinches.
96	Win	72–5–10 (9)	Eugene Bezenah	KO	10 (25)	Sep 01, 1899	Broadway A.C., Brooklyn
95	Draw	71–5–10 (9)	George "Elbows" McFadden	PTS	25	Jul 28, 1899	Broadway A.C., Brooklyn
94	Win	71–5–9 (9)	Jack Dobbs	TKO	4 (25)	Jul 24, 1899	Seabright Casino, Ocean City
93	Loss	70–5–9 (9)	George "Elbows" McFadden	KO	23 (25)	Apr 14, 1899	Broadway A.C., Brooklyn
92	Win	70–4–9 (9)	Billy Ernst	DQ	10 (20)	Feb 06, 1899	Olympic A.C., Buffalo
91	Win	69–4–9 (9)	Martin Judge	PTS	20	Jan 28, 1899	Crescent A.C., Toronto
90	Win	68–4–9 (9)	Young Smyrna	KO	2 (25)	Jan 13, 1899	Germania Maennerchor Hall, Baltimore
89	Win	67–4–9 (9)	Wilmington Jack Daly	PTS	25	Dec 27, 1898	Lenox A.C., New York
88	Win	66–4–9 (9)	Kid McPartland	PTS	25	Nov 04, 1898	Lenox A.C., New York
87	Win	65–4–9 (9)	William Duke	PTS	4	Sep 30, 1898	Monumental Amphitheatre, Baltimore
86	Win	64–4–9 (9)	Fred Sweigert	PTS	4	Sep 29, 1898	Monumental Amphitheatre, Baltimore
85	Win	63–4–9 (9)	James Martin	TKO	4 (4)	Sep 28, 1898	Monumental Amphitheatre, Baltimore
84	Win	62–4–9 (9)	Buck Baynor	TKO	3 (4)	Sep 27, 1898	Monumental Amphitheatre, Baltimore	In the evening the same day Gans took on two more men.
83	Win	61–4–9 (9)	William Hinton	TKO	1 (4)	Sep 27, 1898	Monumental Amphitheatre, Baltimore
82	Win	60–4–9 (9)	Joseph Smith	TKO	1 (4)	Sep 27, 1898	Monumental Amphitheatre, Baltimore
81	Win	59–4–9 (9)	Herman Miller	PTS	4	Sep 26, 1898	Monumental Amphitheatre, Baltimore
80	Win	58–4–9 (9)	Thomas Jackson	KO	3 (25)	Sep 01, 1898	Talbot county fair, Easton
79	Win	57–4–9 (9)	Young Smyrna	TKO	15 (25)	Aug 26, 1898	Ford Opera House, Baltimore
78	Win	56–4–9 (9)	Billy Ernst	KO	11 (25)	Aug 08, 1898	Greater New York A.C., Brooklyn
77	Win	55–4–9 (9)	George Brown	TKO	6 (10)	Jul 01, 1898	Ford Opera House, Baltimore
76	Win	54–4–9 (9)	Joe Kid Robinson	PTS	6	Jun 03, 1898	Tattersall's, Chicago
75	NC	53–4–9 (9)	Joe Kid Robinson	NC	3 (6)	Jun 02, 1898	Tattersall's, Chicago	Roberson down in the 2nd. During the 3rd round the lights went out in the building, and the show had to be called off until next day.
74	Win	53–4–9 (8)	Steve Crosby	RTD	6 (20)	May 11, 1898	Music Hall, Louisville
73	Win	52–4–9 (8)	Young Starlight	TKO	3 (3)	Apr 11, 1898	Music Hall, Baltimore
72	Win	51–4–9 (8)	Young Smyrna	TKO	3 (3)	Apr 11, 1898	Music Hall, Baltimore	Police stopped the fight.
71	Win	50–4–9 (8)	Tommy Shortell	TKO	6 (8)	Mar 11, 1898	Academy Music Hall, Baltimore
70	Win	49–4–9 (8)	Frank Garrard	TKO	15 (20)	Jan 17, 1898	Central Armory, Cleveland	Gans down in the 2nd round, and immediately knocks Garrard down in return.
69	Win	48–4–9 (9)	Billy Young	TKO	2 (8)	Jan 03, 1898	Eureka Athletic Club, Baltimore
68	Win	47–4–9 (8)	Stanton Abbott	TKO	5 (8)	Nov 29, 1897	Academy of Music, Baltimore
67	Draw	46–4–9 (8)	Wilmington Jack Daly	NWS	6	Nov 06, 1897	Arena, Philadelphia
66	Loss	46–4–9 (7)	Bobby Dobbs	PTS	20	Sep 27, 1897	Greenpoint S.C., Brooklyn	For world colored lightweight title
65	Draw	46–3–9 (7)	Young Griffo	PTS	15	Sep 21, 1897	Olympic A.C., Athens
64	Win	46–3–8 (7)	Izzy Strauss	KO	5 (15)	Aug 30, 1897	Eureka Athletic Club, Baltimore
63	Win	45–3–8 (7)	Jack McCue	TKO	6 (?)	Aug 24, 1897	Shell road, Baltimore
62	Win	44–3–8 (7)	John Coates	TKO	5 (?)	Aug 24, 1897	Shell road, Baltimore
61	Win	43–3–8 (7)	Jerry Marshall	TKO	8 (?)	Aug 24, 1897	Shell road, Baltimore
60	Win	42–3–8 (7)	George Thomas	TKO	3 (?)	Aug 24, 1897	Shell road, Baltimore
59	Win	41–3–8 (7)	August Stenzie	TKO	3 (?)	Aug 24, 1897	Shell road, Baltimore
58	Win	40–3–8 (7)	Mike Leonard	PTS	20	May 18, 1897	Olympic A.C., San Francisco
57	Win	39–3–8 (7)	Howard Wilson	KO	9 (20)	Apr 03, 1897	Polo A.C., New York
56	Win	38–3–8 (7)	Charles Rochette	RTD	4 (10)	Dec 14, 1896	Woodward's Pavilion, San Francisco
55	Win	37–3–8 (7)	Jerry Marshall	PTS	20	Nov 12, 1896	Eureka Athletic Club, Baltimore
54	Win	36–3–8 (7)	Jack Williams	TKO	3 (8)	Oct 19, 1896	Eureka Athletic Club, Baltimore	Police stopped the fight.
53	Loss	35–3–8 (7)	Dal Hawkins	PTS	15	Oct 06, 1896	Bohemian Sporting Club, New York
52	Win	35–2–8 (7)	John Ball	PTS	4	Sep 28, 1896	East Side A.C., Philadelphia
51	Draw	34–2–8 (7)	Danny McBride	PTS	20	Aug 31, 1896	Eureka Athletic Club, Baltimore
50	Win	34–2–7 (7)	Jack Williams	TKO	2 (?)	Aug 20, 1896	Eureka Athletic Club, Baltimore
49	Win	33–2–7 (7)	Tommy Butler	PTS	12	Jun 29, 1896	South Brooklyn A.C., Brooklyn
48	Win	32–2–7 (7)	Jimmy Watson	PTS	10	Jun 08, 1896	Bijou Theater, Paterson
47	Win	31–2–7 (7)	Jimmy Kennard	TKO	6 (12)	Feb 22, 1896	West Newton Street Armory, Boston
46	Win	30–2–7 (7)	Joe Elliott	KO	7 (8)	Jan 17, 1896	Eureka Athletic Club, Baltimore
45	Win	29–2–7 (7)	Benny Peterson	PTS	4	Jan 11, 1896	Ariel A.C., Philadelphia
44	Win	28–2–7 (7)	George Siddons	KO	7 (25)	Nov 28, 1895	Eureka Athletic Club, Baltimore
43	Draw	27–2–7 (7)	Young Griffo	PTS	10	Nov 18, 1895	Front Street Theater, Baltimore	Pre-arranged draw if lasting full distance.
42	Win	27–2–6 (7)	Joe Elliott	KO	9 (25)	Oct 21, 1895	Eureka Athletic Club, Baltimore
41	Draw	26–2–6 (7)	George Siddons	PTS	20	Jul 15, 1895	Eureka Athletic Club, Baltimore
40	Win	26–2–5 (7)	Howard Wilson	PTS	10	May 28, 1895	Kernan's Theatre, Washington
39	Win	25–2–5 (7)	Benny Peterson	KO	17 (20)	May 20, 1895	Riverside Athletic Club, Brooklyn
38	Win	24–2–5 (7)	George Willis	KO	4 (10)	May 14, 1895	Monumental Amphitheatre, Baltimore
37	Draw	23–2–5 (7)	Howard Wilson	PTS	6	May 09, 1895	Monumental Amphitheatre, Baltimore
36	Win	23–2–4 (7)	Frank Peabody	TKO	3 (8)	May 04, 1895	Monumental Amphitheatre, Baltimore
35	Win	22–2–4 (7)	Kentucky Rosebud	TKO	8 (8)	Apr 25, 1895	Front Street Theater, Baltimore
34	Win	21–2–4 (7)	David Armstrong	TKO	3 (6)	Apr 18, 1895	Monumental Amphitheatre, Baltimore
33	Loss	20–2–4 (7)	Johnny Van Heest	PTS	9 (8)	Apr 13, 1895	Monumental Amphitheatre, Baltimore
32	Win	20–1–4 (7)	Kentucky Rosebud	NWS	6	Apr 01, 1895	Monumental Amphitheater, Baltimore
31	Win	20–1–4 (6)	Paul Johnson	PTS	6	Mar 22, 1895	Monumental Theatre, Baltimore
30	Win	19–1–4 (6)	Harry Hunt	TKO	4 (?)	Mar 20, 1895	Monumental Theatre, Baltimore
29	Draw	18–1–4 (6)	Howard Wilson	PTS	10	Mar 18, 1895	Monumental Theatre, Baltimore
28	Draw	18–1–3 (6)	Fred Sweigert	PTS	10	Mar 07, 1895	Monumental Theatre, Baltimore
27	Win	18–1–2 (6)	Solomon English	TKO	10 (10)	Mar 06, 1895	Monumental Theatre, Baltimore	Police interfered.
26	Win	17–1–2 (6)	Max Wirsing	TKO	3 (?)	Mar 04, 1895	Monumental Theatre, Baltimore
25	Draw	16–1–2 (6)	James Daly	PTS	11 (10)	Feb 16, 1895	Monumental Theatre, Baltimore	An extra-round was fought.
24	Win	16–1–1 (6)	John Coates	PTS	11 (10)	Feb 11, 1895	Monumental Theatre, Baltimore	An additional round was fought to decide the winner.
23	Win	15–1–1 (6)	Samuel Young	KO	3 (?)	Feb 07, 1895	Monumental Theatre, Baltimore
22	Win	14–1–1 (6)	Fred Sweigert	PTS	10	Feb 06, 1895	Monumental Theatre, Baltimore
21	Draw	13–1–1 (6)	Dave Horn	PTS	10	Jan 23, 1895	Monumental Theatre, Baltimore
20	Win	13–1 (6)	George Brummell	TKO	5 (?)	Jan 19, 1895	Monumental Theatre, Baltimore
19	Win	12–1 (6)	Paul Johnson	PTS	10	Jan 11, 1895	Monumental Theatre, Baltimore
18	Win	11–1 (6)	Bud Brown	PTS	10	Jan 07, 1895	Monumental Theatre, Baltimore	Brown was Allen's second, and offered to fight Gans immediately after the latter was done with Allen.
17	Win	10–1 (6)	Samuel Allen	KO	3 (?)	Jan 07, 1895	Monumental Theatre, Baltimore
16	Win	9–1 (6)	Fred Sweigert	PTS	?	Jan 01, 1895	Monumental Theatre, Baltimore
15	Win	8–1 (6)	Jack McDonald	TKO	8 (?)	Dec 28, 1894	Monumental Theatre, Baltimore
14	Win	7–1 (6)	John Coates	PTS	10	Dec 27, 1894	Monumental A.C., Baltimore
13	Win	6–1 (6)	Fred Sweigert	NWS	10	Dec 21, 1894	Monumental A.C., Baltimore
12	Win	6–1 (5)	Travis Brown	PTS	6	Dec 17, 1894	Avon Club, Baltimore
11	NC	5–1 (5)	Bud Young	ND	4	Nov 27, 1894	Canton Academy, Baltimore
10	NC	5–1 (4)	Paul Johnson	ND	3 (?)	Nov 12, 1894	Grand Army Hall, Baltimore
9	Win	5–1 (3)	Jackson	TKO	3 (4)	Jul 10, 1894	Kernan's Theatre, Washington
8	Loss	4–1 (3)	Paul Johnson	PTS	5	Jun 27, 1894	Monumental Theatre, Baltimore
7	Win	4–0 (3)	Gustav Wilkie	PTS	4	Jun 26, 1894	Monumental Theatre, Baltimore
6	NC	3–0 (3)	Robert Cook	ND	? (?)	May 21, 1894	M F Conklin`s Hall, Baltimore
5	Win	3–0 (2)	Harry Brian	PTS	? (?)	Apr 25, 1894	Allerino Gannic Casino, Baltimore
4	NC	2–0 (2)	Dave Horn	ND	3 (?)	Apr 19, 1894	Beach's Hall, Baltimore
3	Win	2–0 (1)	William Jones	KO	4 (?)	Feb 12, 1894	Avon Club, Baltimore
2	Win	1–0 (1)	William Jones	RTD	6 (?)	Nov 27, 1893	Avon Club, Baltimore
1	NC	0–0 (1)	Buck Myers	ND	? (?)	Oct 23, 1893	Avon Club, Baltimore

A four-reel motion picture of the second Gans-Nelson fight in Colma, California, was shown in theaters across the country. Above, reporter-artist Marguerite Martyn sketched her impression of women watching the film in St. Louis, Missouri, in October 1908.

The Gans-Nelson battle in Colma, California was the subject of a four-reel motion picture that played in major cities around the country.

Ernest Hemingway utilized Joe Gans as a character in his 1916 short story 'A Matter of Colour'.[17] This early story set the stage for Hemingway's famous 1927 parable 'The Killers'.[18]

• Lineal championship

• Miles, J.H., Davis, J.J., Ferguson-Roberts, S.E., and Giles, R.G. (2001). Almanac of African American Heritage. Paramus, NJ: Prentice Hall Press.
• Potter, J. (2002). African American Firsts. New York, NY: Kensington Publishing Corp.
• Aycock, Colleen and Mark Scott (2008), Joe Gans: A Biography of the First African American World Boxing Champion. Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Co.
• The Longest Fight: In the Ring with Joe Gans, Boxing’s First African-American Champion. By William Gildea. Farrar, Straus & Giroux; 256 pages

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Joe Gans.

• Boxing record for Joe Gans from BoxRec
• Joe Gans at Find a Grave
• Analyzing the Subtle Sophistication of Joe Gans
• Nelson Whips Gans in the Seventeenth: Veteran Colored Champion Shows His Cleverness in the Early Rounds- Special to The New York Times