10 Best Boxers Who Went to Prison | News, Scores, Highlights, Stats, and Rumors

Jack Johnson spent most of his life on the run, whether by force or on his own accord. His refusal to live by the regrettable standards of the time enabled him to become the first black world heavyweight champion. Of course, it also made him public enemy number one.

In 1920, after a number of years defending his heavyweight crown and appearing in exhibitions abroad, Johnson turned himself in to federal authorities. He was convicted of violating the Mann Act, which was intended to halt the interstate trafficking of prostitutes.

Johnson had merely purchased a train ticket from Pittsburgh to Chicago for his white girlfriend.

Johnson's conviction—he spent only one year in prison—has remained a topic of political debate in the many decades since. Despite numerous efforts by legislators including John McCain, Johnson has not yet been pardoned.

It is perhaps the most overstated cliche in boxing that Johnson was far ahead of his time in nearly every way. Indeed, his skill and out-sized personality were the model for generations of prizefighters up to and including the present-day.

Sadly, it seems he was a trailblazer for most of the ill-fated included on this list. Poverty, the fast-life, booze and drugs and automobile accidents.

As is evident in any number of other practices, genius is often accompanied by mania. It must be that there is a reason why the two are such frequent dance partners.