Emelda Custis didn't quite understand the breadth and impact of her great-grandfather's accomplishments until 2012, when a book was published that helped her find the proper context.
The book was "The Longest Fight: In the Ring with Joe Gans, Boxing's First African American Champion," by William Gildea, which detailed Gans' 42-round victory against Oscar "Battling" Nelson in Goldfield, Nev., in 1906. Gildea also more broadly examined the impact of Gans, a Baltimore native and the first African American boxing champion. Gans held the lightweight title from 1902-1908. Gans, nicknamed the "Old Master," is Custis' father's grandfather.
Custis, 71, isn't the only one in her family excited to learn about Gans' life and legacy 100-plus years after Gans' death (1910). Custis' 11-year-old grandson, Christian, brought Gildea's book into show-and-tell at school and offered a report on the book. Custis recalled beaming with pride when she heard about it.
